Hypertherm 800 powermax

New here and wanted to know what other thought about the above plasma cutter. I am looking at one and it does appear to be complete, little use and owner stated ~10 of age. They want 700 for it?

[gator 1]

Welcome to metalmeet ( Insert real name here, More friendly that way ). I just bought the powermax 1000. Paid 1900 for it. I cut a piece of 1 inch with it and also 1/8 steel. Cuts like a dream. Good company and good machine. If the cutter works and does not appear to be abused its a good buy. Maybe a cash offer of 550 or 600 would work but worth 700...Gator

Thanks Gator,


I am building a kit car and thought that it would be nice to have a plasma cutter for all the aluminum I need to cut straight and curved shapes.

Any other items that I should be concerned with on this model of others when buying used?

Thanks again,

Danno

[Boogiemanz1]

Hi Danno, if you are cutting aluminum sheet stock, you may be better of with a power hand shear. Take what you intend to cut with you when you try out the machine. I wasn't crazy with the way my Hypertherm cut aluminum.........john

[carbuildergirl]

I hear we are looking to get a plasma cutter.. new toys!! :-D

I would like to ask anyone that has played with them with aluminum, does it just get mucky or can it be a clean cut? It seems to be a dilema we run into a lot, clean cuts without just making the metal sloppy from the heat.. I can see applications where it would be a nice thing to have, but it just seems like there are other ways that are cleaner and faster. any input???

~Grace

[doug_walter2002]

My experience with cutting alum with plasma is that it doesn't make a clean cut.

[gator 1]

Its the same with lasers. We can cut 5/16 steel and only 1/8 alum. We can adjust the cut point to get a good cut on the laser but your not able to do that with a plasma.

If your trying to cut a piece of 1/4 steel then 1/4 alum it wont work.

Think of your welder. not the same settings. Different current flow, frequency and temp settings. Without adding filler rod all your doing is gouge cutting with a welder.

So if you think you can do the same with a plasma it wont work. A good edge on steel, Decent edge on light alum with power up and fast movement.

If your buying for alum then take johns advice and buy a power or hand shear. If for steel then you will love it. Just remember this. A shear don't care if its steel or alum. A plasma does..Gator

[docauto]

I concur, my plasma doesn't leave a nice edge on aluminum, but it's GREAT with steel, a real time saver.


Dave

[kerrystagmer]

I have a powermax 1250 and have cut a considerable amount of metal. I have both machine and hand torches. I have only cut alum with the machine torch and its pretty nice on the cut. Maybe alum needs a steady hand to stay clean?(or CNC table )

love the machine. I used a 1000 before I bought this for a year and was sold.

if your cutting sheet metal make sure you ALSO purchase the fine cutting kit, the difference is HUGE (up to 10ga steel ` 40 amp)

[jimmib]

I agree on the aluminum cut with plasma. It does not leave that nice of an edge.
Jim