I am looking at the hypertherm powermax 1000 which puts out 60 amps max.
or the powermax 1250 which puts out 80 amps max. Also equivalent sized Thermal dynamic machines.

I want to spend as little as possible and only plan on cutting up to 3/8 inch steel.

The main question I have is can I get a decent quality cut edge in 3/8 steel using a machine torch on a cnc table with only 60 amps? Or do I need to go to 80 amps for best edge quality. Thanks Larry.

You have plenty of power at 60 amps to cut the 3/8..But the 1000 is good to 1/2..There is absoulutly no plans to cut anything thicker?? To have the 1250, it sure is a nice thing to know that you can do alot more than 3/8,even if you don't for a while..But there is one more thing to consider..The dryness of the air..I was having a bit of a problem with taper and cutting tips wearing out fast and lots of dross..I bought a harbor freight refrigerator dryer and also installed a motor guard dryer after the frig...unbeliavable the difference in cut quality..having that ultra dry air turned my machine into a freaking laser!!

Hi Larry,
I advise hypertherm powermax 1000 with hand torch. It is compatible with CNC interface as well. It's more cheaper than machine torch and can cut up to 3/4".Pls see sample from this link http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41325


Mongkol

Hypertherm just released a new product last week...it is called the Powermax45 and is rated at 3/8" for piercing and production cutting....it will do much thicker than that with edge starting.

Here is a link: https://www.hypertherm.com/powerfulplasma/

It is the latest generation torch design (both hand and mechanized quick connect torches available....with cnc interface standard.

Jim

Hi Larry,
I advise hypertherm powermax 1000 with hand torch. It is compatible with CNC interface as well. It's more cheaper than machine torch and can cut up to 3/4".Pls see sample from this link http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41325


Mongkol

The hand and machine torch cut the same amount when mounted into a machine holder. The hand torch is only rated for thicker cuts when it is hand held and you can tilt the torch during pierces.

I have the powermax 1000 with machine torch and it has been cutting 1/2 inch plate very nicely.

Hi Lowpull,
Thanks for your advice. I am building plasma table by hypertherm 1000 with hand torch. Is it difficult to connect the circuit to link hypertherm? I use Mach2.

Mongkol

thanks for the help guys. I did notice the cutmaster 101 is about the same price and puts out 80 amps so i am looking at the thermal dynamics machine as well.

Start by downloading the dealer service manual from the hypertherm library. Get the two schematics from the M60 torch reference manual and compare the two torches.

You will see that two leads need to be swapped on the M60 torch wiring harness in order to make it work.

1. The red wire in position 7 gets removed and put into position 8.
2. The violet wire in position 10 gets removed and put into position 9.
3. Tape the trigger closed on the hand torch.
4. If you havent done so already, set up a new Plasma Mach Profile to run plasma operations only.
5. Run Data cable from the Hypertherm data port to your selected dry relay (Hypertherm input).
6. Use your spindle on/off (M3 and M5) to fire the plasma up.

Here are the schematics.