Which plasma cutter?

[Carol in CA]

Decision made! Scored a HyperTherm PowerMax 45. Considered an Everlast from Mark but it was not in stock and then this popped up. Brought it home an hour ago. Even got a lesson on using it, sources for fairly priced consumables and a few words of wisdom on air driers, air requirements, drag tips, mig lube and all sorts of information. Thanks, Ed in Fontana.

BTW, thanks Mark for answering my questions even if a sale was not meant to be.

 

[ericher69]

Decision made! Scored a HyperTherm PowerMax 45. Considered an Everlast from Mark but it was not in stock and then this popped up. Brought it home an hour ago. Even got a lesson on using it, sources for fairly priced consumables and a few words of wisdom on air driers, air requirements, drag tips, mig lube and all sorts of information. Thanks, Ed in Fontana. BTW, thanks Mark for answering my questions even if a sale was not meant to be.

congrats! If you really did buy one; no pictures, no proof

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[Carol in CA]

Sorry. Its raining here and its dark. Pix will have to wait. LOL!

 

[BukitCase]

Carol, I have a PM45 - you'll need to get thicker projects than the ones you're working on before you want more. I've cut up to 1 inch stuff with mine, it's kinda slow at that thickness but does a good job if you practice controlling your torch travel speed.

Just when you thought you were home free... Whatcha got for air? You'll need CLEAN DRY air, at least 6 CFM @ 90 psi minimum.

This is what I did for mine - The yellow thingie is a painting filter, and the fat black thingie is a Motorguard filter - air from the compressor goes thru the painting filter and then the Motorguard, and the combo gives me very dry clean air. I'm stll on my first set of consumables - not that I've used it a LOT, but I bought the PM45 just over three years ago. The smaller black thingie with the gauge on it is a pressure regulator, because the PM45 wants less than 135 psi input, and my compressor puts out 175.

If your air isn't clean and dry, you will go thru consumables quite a bit faster, and they're not real cheap.

Any other advice I could give has already been mentioned here, enjoy your new machine... Steve

 

[Big Barn]

Carol, I have a PM45 - you'll need to get thicker projects than the ones you're working on before you want more. I've cut up to 1 inch stuff with mine, it's kinda slow at that thickness but does a good job if you practice controlling your torch travel speed. Just when you thought you were home free... Whatcha got for air? You'll need CLEAN DRY air, at least 6 CFM @ 90 psi minimum. This is what I did for mine - The yellow thingie is a painting filter, and the fat black thingie is a Motorguard filter - air from the compressor goes thru the painting filter and then the Motorguard, and the combo gives me very dry clean air. I'm stll on my first set of consumables - not that I've used it a LOT, but I bought the PM45 just over three years ago. The smaller black thingie with the gauge on it is a pressure regulator, because the PM45 wants less than 135 psi input, and my compressor puts out 175. If your air isn't clean and dry, you will go thru consumables quite a bit faster, and they're not real cheap. Any other advice I could give has already been mentioned here, enjoy your new machine... Steve

Steve I like your setup. I don't like the use of gear type hose clamps on air hoses but I did notice you taped over the sharp edges for protection on the regulated side. Just wanted to mention that a buddy of mine working in an auto body shop got permanently disabled when a 'repaired ' air hose let go and the edge of the stainless gear clamp went whipping around slicing his arm and leg in the process.

This was a couple of years ago and he was retrained and now works as an estimator in the same industry.

Didn't mean to derail, but felt that I should mention this.

Terry

 

[BukitCase]

Terry, I don't like hose clamps much either, but sometimes they are the lesser of two evils - that pic is an old one, since it was taken I've added a 3 drawer "intermediate" section between the PM45 and the roll-around -

But more important, I shortened the hose to the cutter and ran it BEHIND the filter/regulator assembly - I also removed the QD fitting from the rear of the PM45 and added another of those swivel fittings - I didn't like that much "lever" on something that attaches to the internals of something I'd rather not have to repair -

It's much neater now, and if the hose ever lets go it will have less free length to whip around :thumbsup:

Eventually I'll get around to making a different retaining setup - I know how much you hate straps, kinda like I hate "Un-shiny" metal ...Steve

Carol, sorry if we shanghai'd your thread but you may wanna borrow some of these ideas for YOUR new "friend", if not just tell us to MYOB :hissyfit:

 

[Big Barn]

- But more important, I shortened the hose to the cutter and ran it BEHIND the filter/regulator assembly - I also removed the QD fitting from the rear of the PM45 and added another of those swivel fittings - I didn't like that much "lever" on something that attaches to the internals of something I'd rather not have to repair :

Carol, Shiny Steve makes a good point concerning leverage on your plasma's air inlet. His swivel fitting choice is a good one, but if you are like me and not as financially endowed as Steve, here is my cheaper alternative.



Terry

 

[BukitCase]

Financially endowed??!?

1/4 in. Air Hose Swivel Connector

I'm pretty sure that (If I WERE "financially endowed") I'd have even more pics of cool stuff than Shield posts, :laughing: including at least a 4x4 CNC table, lathe, etc... but now that I'm "officially" retired, it's a bummer not having all that OT $$$ coming in. It IS nice not to have ME "coming in" to a job I'd barely learned to tolerate tho...

Here's what the plaz looks like now - note the slightly modified garden hose hanger, doesn't put kinks in $500 torches... Steve

 

[Cat_Driver]

HyperTherm PowerMax 45...the GOLD standard or torches. I got one a year ago after exhaustive research

 

[ericher69]

Financially endowed??!? 1/4 in. Air Hose Swivel Connector I'm pretty sure that (If I WERE "financially endowed") I'd have even more pics of cool stuff than Shield posts, :laughing: including at least a 4x4 CNC table, lathe, etc... but now that I'm "officially" retired, it's a bummer not having all that OT $$$ coming in. It IS nice not to have ME "coming in" to a job I'd barely learned to tolerate tho... Here's what the plaz looks like now - note the slightly modified garden hose hanger, doesn't put kinks in $500 torches... Steve

Steve

I'm sure your not suffering if you have a 252, 210xt and a pm45...

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[Big Barn]

Steve I'm sure your not suffering if you have a 252, 210xt and a pm45... Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

Oh he's just showing off, Eric. Must be an American thing.....or maybe it's just Steve.
Sorry Steve. I've been waiting to do that.... Terry

 

[BukitCase]

NO prob, guys - I wouldn't have survived the last 35 years in heavy industry without a thick skin :laughing:

Eric, nearly all my "toys" were bought with OT $$$ - company was too cheap to put on more people, so when a couple of the guys in my field (Instrumentation/ProcessControl) retired before me, they changed our shift from 4 12hr shifts (2 days, 2 nites) on, 4 off to 3 12hr days, 3 12hr nites, 3 off for the last two YEARS I was there.

Good "toy" money, crappy shop time.

Now, I gotta stop and think before I order something - I HATE when that happens

Cat Driver, sorry I missed your comment - it was the same with me - we all know that no matter what it is, or how good it is, there will be at least ONE know-it-all that badmouths ANYTHING you talk about online - so when I couldn't find ANY negative comments about Hypertherm, it got much easier to decide.

Carol, if you're still tolerating our "friendly banter" on your dime, please rest in the knowledge that you found a winner in your new plasma - and you may want to look at my "hose hanger" idea, since a replacement torch for the PM45 was around $500 last time I checked. They don't like being kinked, stepped on or driven over (and neither will YOU ) Good luck... Steve

 

[Carol in CA]

Love the pictures, guys. Picking up many good ideas. Keep'em coming. I don't mind the banter.

Tomorrow I'll get the machine on the cart and start a list of what is needed in terms of filters, fittings, hangers, etc. And I'll get a picture or two.

 

[ericher69]

NO prob, guys - I wouldn't have survived the last 35 years in heavy industry without a thick skin :laughing: Eric, nearly all my "toys" were bought with OT $$$ - company was too cheap to put on more people, so when a couple of the guys in my field (Instrumentation/ProcessControl) retired before me, they changed our shift from 4 12hr shifts (2 days, 2 nites) on, 4 off to 3 12hr days, 3 12hr nites, 3 off for the last two YEARS I was there. Good "toy" money, crappy shop time. Now, I gotta stop and think before I order something - I HATE when that happens Cat Driver, sorry I missed your comment - it was the same with me - we all know that no matter what it is, or how good it is, there will be at least ONE know-it-all that badmouths ANYTHING you talk about online - so when I couldn't find ANY negative comments about Hypertherm, it got much easier to decide. Carol, if you're still tolerating our "friendly banter" on your dime, please rest in the knowledge that you found a winner in your new plasma - and you may want to look at my "hose hanger" idea, since a replacement torch for the PM45 was around $500 last time I checked. They don't like being kinked, stepped on or driven over (and neither will YOU ) Good luck... Steve

Steve,

Just joshin you. It's your $$ spend it as you will!

I read a good quote last week; "You can ALWAYS make more $ but you CANNOT make more time"

I've learned to work my 42hr weeks and be content with that. A good friend once told me "If you don't make enough in a 40hr week; you will never make enough"

Preaching over lol.

I know in my mid twenties I had 5 good paying jobs and would never be ahead!

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[Big Barn]

Here's a few pics for hose/cable management ideas, Carol. All were cut from 10 and 16 gauge sheet stock with my plasma cutter.















Terry

 

[BukitCase]

Shucks Terry, that ain't nuthin' - most of my hose/torch hangers I "cut" out of shelves from Home Depot, and all I used was my Amex card

Back atcha... - all seriousness aside, how'd you get that "punched out thru a piece of balsa wood" look on your "cooling holes" ? Looks pretty neat... Steve

 

[Big Barn]

Steve I went back to the shop to snap this pic for you. The holes were cut with Roto Cut sheet metal cutters or hole saw, then punched with these dimple dies. They will work on thicknesses up to 1/8". I have a 2"D. one that punches the hole and dimples in one operation but haven't got around to building a jig for it yet. PS. If you require a response that may involve a photo please try to have your request in before 4PM PST. Terry

 

[Carol in CA]

Proof.



It happened. LOL!

 

[Juskatla]

The Hypertherm Powermax 45 is a great little machine. I purchased one new, a little over a year ago and have been very happy with it in all respects. I had an oxy outfit and several years ago bought an offshore plasma cutter that I felt would meet my modest needs. Of course, my expectations changed and I began the long search ending with my Powermax45 purchase. Availability of local service and consumables, excellent factory support and capability were deciding factors for me. Some on here have different opinions about the various manufactures but I am certain you will be pleased with your new acquisition. Have fun! Jess

 

[jimcolt]

Thanks all for buying the Powermax45, made in NH, USA by employees that own 100% of the company. It was built with pride, and we will do whatever it takes to keep our customers happy.

Jim Colt Hypertherm