Dual Voltage Plasma Cutters

[Tad]

Looking for input/experiences with dual voltage plasma cutters which I have narrowed down to 4 units.
There are a few other's out there but these were chosen based on my needs.
A: Locally available consumables.
B: Locally available warranty service.
C: Under $1,500.00

Hypertherm Powermax 30
http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Products/H ... rmax30.jsp
I run three Hypertherms at work, never had issues with any of them.

Miller Spectrum 375 Extreme
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/met ... del=M13811
Although I like the packaging I have not had great luck with Miller plasma cutters, but that goes back 10 years, no experience with their newer toys.

Hobart Airforce 500i
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/p ... force500i/
I have no experience with Hobart plasma systems (I think rstep owns one).

Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42
http://www.victortechnologies.com/therm ... dID=1-4200
No experience with these either but I really like that they have moved (as are many high end systems) to 1TT (one torch tech) meaning the components/ans consumables swap across the current product line. I also like the idea that the torch is detachable both at the machine and the torch allowing for extentions and making it easier to swap from hand held to a machine torch.

If I have missed something please feel free to toss it into the discussion.
Thanks,
Tad

[jaber]

I had not researched enough yet to know they offered dual voltage Plasmas. Having the dual volt welder, I will be interested in how this turns out...

[jamesdart]

i have the powermax 30. i love it. no complaints. i never used it on 110v though. i remember reading somewhere that the compact millers, the extreme brand, are rebadged hypertherm.

[REDONE]

Sorry Tad, I've been away all weekend so I couldn't post up. We have a TD42 at work. While it may "Cut 1/2 inch all day long" you have to understand that's a very very slow sever cut. I've never run it on 120v, only 230. We also have a TD82 and it's night and day difference between the two on the same voltage. In addition we have a lot of issues with the 42. Once it's warmed up and then starts to cool down (cut and cut and cut then let it sit for 20min) it will purge for a good 10-15 seconds before it'll fire the pilot arc. Both cold and hot it strikes right away, but in between it's a PITA. All the other PCs I've used were big boys.

While I have no first hand experience, I really want to push Hypertherm. They have a "Heritage Edition" that's American made and dual voltage. It's got really good reviews and if I were in the market it's where I'd be looking. Both our TDs are US made though, so no complaint there.

[Tad]

Don't really have the need to severe 1/2", maybe notch some 3/8" on occasion but that's probably my max usage.
I'm pretty much down to the Hypertherm vs the TD.
I use our two Hypertherm 1250's on pretty much a daily basis and I've used our older DV Hypertherm to cut up several FSJ's in 110V, makes really short work of the disposal.
I'll do a bit more research this morning but I'm favoring the TD based on the torch configuration and that it's the only one that makes a significant output jump when bumping to 220.

[jamesdart]

a couple years ago i was considering the same td vs hypertherm. on some welding forums and other car forums i kept reading that the only trouble with the td, the main boards can go. when they do, you basically throw the machine away it would cost more to repair than buy a new one. im not sure how common it is, or if its something that can be diy if you are capable. i think my friend has the td 38 and its been trouble free. i do like the torch setup.

[Tad]

Yep, I have had a board go on a Miller about 12 years ago, out of warranty and was not worth the cost to fix.
I also had two boards go on a Lincoln Plazcut 80, under warranty that were replaced free.

I went ahead and bit the bullet on the TD.
At $960 and change with a four year parts warranty and one year labor I think I will be ok.
I send a fair amount of machines through our local repair facility so I usually do not get charged for the diagnostics and I can swap a board myself if needed.

EDIT:
One thing that kept coming up when reading reviews and complaints was that a lot of plasma cutters (at least I think) are used improperly. Things like using a stand-off tip instead of a drag tip, trying to use fine cut consumables on thick material, improper wiring and/or breakers (I will be pulling new wire for this) etc.
Sort of like with CNC equipment, folks don't take the time to learn the specifics properly and then get frustrated and blame the machine.

[REDONE]

Well, the closest I ever came to picking up my own plasma was an old TD DRAG-GUN, so I'd say you're miles ahead of me, haha! Since you know it's limitations I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with it. I have to admit that I've clearly been spoiled by the bigger machines my employers have been able to afford. Congrats!

[dbabicky]

I know it's not DV, but as far as the Hobart machines go, I love my Airforce 250i for what it's built for. Works great.

[Tad]

Oh yeah, I work with big machines everyday, love our 1250 G3's but that was not my goal here.

So it arrived Friday afternoon one day ahead of the tracking, driver called me at work so I had him stash it in my carport until i could get home.

Well packaged and at least visibly non-damaged container, free shipping from Cyber-Weld.



Interior packaging was good also.



Comes with a pretty sturdy carrying case.



Once out of the box the machine is light enough to move easily enough with one hand.



First thing I did was setup a dedicated dryer as I don't like robbing stuff from my paint gun setup.



Had to make the dryer detachable so it will fit back in the carrying case.



First test out of the box was 3/16" at 20 amps, nice clean cut.



1/4" at 20 amps cuts with very noticeable dross.



1/4" at 27 amps cuts cleanly and pierces nicely.



3/8" at 27 amps severs cleanly but as you can see the dross is back, not that hard to clean up but if you were doing any significant amount of 3/8" you need to get it onto a 220V circuit so you can bump past the 110V 27 amp limit.



Some notes:
The first two test were done on a 20 amp 110V circuit with the 15 amp adapter plug which limits you to 20 amps output, the remaining tests were done on the same circuit with the 20 amp adapter plug which bumps you to 27 amps output.

Pros-
1. I really like the weight, we have an older DV Hypertherm at work, it's probably twice the weight of this.
2. The carrying case is very sturdy and since the majority of this unit is plastic that will be an asset.
3. It does what they claim it will do.

Cons-
1. The only visible difference between the drag and stand-off tips is the orifice size, stand-off being larger.
2. The etching for the consumable part numbers is so light you need a magnifying glass to read it.
3. Ground clamp is junk, as are most these days (I have several spares).
.....

I know folks are going to ask why not go with a bigger unit.
I have this that Em and I picked up yesterday.
Full tanks, older Victor gauges and an older Victor Journeyman torch along with a cheesy HF cart I will take apart and weld together. $495.00
I'd been looking for probably a year for an older setup like this that was not beat to death, found it finally from an nice gentleman that has recently closed his body shop.

[jamesdart]

nice. they have changed a lot in the last few years. i like it. cyberweld is by me they have some good deals on the site.

[AwesomeJ10]

Interesting read.

So that is a 110v unit and you were able to physically cut 3/8" on it? wow.

[jaber]

Tad, thank you for the follow up. Looks like a very nice addition to your arsenal...

[lindel]

Any plans to review with it hooked up to 220v?

[Tad]

Any plans to review with it hooked up to 220v?

Not sure if I am pulling new wire on the back patio this weekend on next but yes.

[serehill]

Great read for sure & something I don't know much about But I have an antique Hyerthrm by yours standards & mine has been a tank. Good luck with it. Mine is a 30 amp 240 volt single so at my age that one looks really enticing as mine probably weighs 3 times what that one does. What are your thoughts on the new torch assembly. I would like to swap mine out & the local dealer says they will swap out with a little mod. He's telling me it will greatly increase the performance but I thought it was sales talk.

[Tad]

I'm not sure the Hypertherm torch upgrage is available for all models: http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Torches_an ... h_upgrades
I have had machines upgraded over the years for the school but only when the OEM products became unavailable.
It's usually not worth the cost, it's just necessary sometimes.

I looked at the handheld upgrade for our two 1250's, it's about $500 + shipping.
Both our machines share consumables so I would hesitate doing it (the upgrade is not that different from what we have) unless consumables started getting hard to find.

For you it may very well be worth it.
Newer consumables cut cleaner, at lower amperages and have a better life span.

[serehill]

Thanks Tad,
Mine is the old huge model that works well it was built in 2001. It weighs about 80 pounds. It works OK but you hit the nail right on the head consumables are around but getting very expensive. I guess I'm just assuming they are getting smaller & cheaper & maybe not better so the upgrade seemed like a great Idea. I really don't use it that much. I rewired it & ran wire down the length of it & heat shrinked it to make it work & is dong fine. Then I bought up a bunch of consumables for the local Air Gas company that put them on sale as a close out. I would have to agree that 500 would maybe be more than it is worth. new it cost about 1,800 bucks.
Thanks

[jamesdart]

Serehill See if weldmart has a torch upgrade
For Your machine. Guy I know had an old snappy cutter he bought new. Was having problems with it and couldn't find a new torch anywhere. Snappy was of no help. He was ready to throw it out. I suggested he try weldmart, he bought a new torch from them and swears its better than it ever was.

[serehill]

Serehill See if weldmart has a torch upgrade
For Your machine. Guy I know had an old snappy cutter he bought new. Was having problems with it and couldn't find a new torch anywhere. Snappy was of no help. He was ready to throw it out. I suggested he try weldmart, he bought a new torch from them and swears its better than it ever was.

Thanks James I'll check it out

Thank you to Tad