Purchasing a bigger plasma

[Shefron]

I finally got my table 85% running and I was able to run a design for a friend. The design was about 20" x 30" chicago bears logo in 16 gauge metal I think. Only problem was when the plasma decided it needed a break, we were 90% done. We were able to get the design done but the little cutmaster 38 just wont do anymore. I will give it credit since it put up with around 4 years of hard abuse from my friends and I while cutting alot of **** up by hand. We treated that thing horrible but its time for retirement due to the CNC table.

I placed a call my local welding store and I was able to get a price of 2100 for a cutmaster 82 with mechanized torch. Do I need something that big, probably not but I dont want to run into the same issues of needing the power and not having it. I also have about 30 electrodes for the setup due to a amazing ebay deal about 2 years ago. Right now I'm just trying to decided if its a good deal so what do you guys say?

Since I know Jim Colt will reply I have a question for him. Ive seen and read the post by you. So what can you offer me at that price that includes the mechanized torch and close to the same cutting ability?

[jimcolt]

The Hypertherm Powermax65 has a little more usable power than the Cutmaster82. The 82 is a 9 kw output machine, the Powermax65 is slightly over 9 kw. killowatts are calculated by multiplying the maximum design operating voltage of a plasma power supply x the maximum output amperage, and is the true indication of power that sent to the torch.

Since both systems provide about the same amount of cutting energy....then torch design and performance will make one system outperform the other. Hypertherm has always been the leader in torch designs....and you will notice that when new air plasma systems are introduced at Hypertherm...that they hav a torch that was designed to work with the Power supply.....as we discover new technology, it is designd into the system. The new Duramax torch has an innovative "Spring Electrode" design, as well as an energy booster known as conical flow, which provides for a higher energy density arc for faster cuts and squarer cut edges. Hypertherm will be the undisputed winner in regards to consumable life.

If you google search for both systems...you will find they are priced very similarly. If the two are within a couple of hundred bucks....choose the one with the best features and performance. Best way to figure that out is by asking on thes sites...and by test driving the machines.

What do you cut 80% of the time? What is your maximum pierce thickness? These are the things that should determine what system you need....maybe a Powermax45 is more than adequate, at a lower price!


Jim Colt

Originally Posted by Shefron I finally got my table 85% running and I was able to run a design for a friend. The design was about 20" x 30" chicago bears logo in 16 gauge metal I think. Only problem was when the plasma decided it needed a break, we were 90% done. We were able to get the design done but the little cutmaster 38 just wont do anymore. I will give it credit since it put up with around 4 years of hard abuse from my friends and I while cutting alot of **** up by hand. We treated that thing horrible but its time for retirement due to the CNC table. I placed a call my local welding store and I was able to get a price of 2100 for a cutmaster 82 with mechanized torch. Do I need something that big, probably not but I dont want to run into the same issues of needing the power and not having it. I also have about 30 electrodes for the setup due to a amazing ebay deal about 2 years ago. Right now I'm just trying to decided if its a good deal so what do you guys say? Since I know Jim Colt will reply I have a question for him. Ive seen and read the post by you. So what can you offer me at that price that includes the mechanized torch and close to the same cutting ability?