[TheForge] Re: Plasma cutter comparison

Fri Oct 31 17:47:00 2003

When you get close to the max recommended cutting depth, not only does the 
plasma torch  have to travel slower,  they can leave  a raw  edge that looks 
more like an acetylene cut than the flawless cut that you wanted a plasma 
torch in the first place. For that matter, a well adjusted,  acetylene torch 
has often been used in the same  CNC setup that accepts the plasma torch to  
cut steel with virtual or at least near plasma torch quality. 

Dann Johnson 

Ed F writes: 

> Try  http://harrisweldingsupplies.com/ for the hypertherm. 
> 
> Their website sucks but their price couldn't be beat for a Powermax 1000. 
> 
> I was looking at the 380 but decided to lay out the extra cash to have a
> machine that would work well on a home made CNC table and cut thicker stuff
> with. 
> 
> Hypertherm does not use a high-frequency start.  A friend has an Esab with
> the freaky start and it's ruined 2 fax machines and caused problems with the
> phone and PC's.  His phone rings when the arc fails to start properly (when
> it's on his CNC table).  That was the clincher for me between a Hyperthem
> and a Thermal Arc brand. 
> 
> Oh yah, the Cut master 38 does NOT use high frequency start either, I think.
> Their bigger units do at the moment.  Here is the best price I found on that
> one:
> http://www.ramweldingsupply.com/products-view.mcic?s=2336 
> 
> Take a look at the speed the 3/8 range cutters do for the thickest stuff you
> plan to cut and make sure it's reasonable for what you want to do.  I think
> it's typically about 10"/min for 3/8 material which is awfully slow to me. 
> 
> Ed 
> 
>  
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Armstrong" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 12:01 PM
> Subject: [TheForge] Plasma cutter comparison 
> 
> 
>> I'm in the process of comparing the following plasma cutters for eminent
>> purchase: 
>>
>> Lincoln Pro-Cut 25 
>>
>> Hobart Air Force 400 
>>
>> Hypertherm Power Max 380 
>>
>> My price range is $1200. - 1300. (US) and 3/8" max. cutting ability is
>> plenty. 
>>
>> Anybody have any experience/information or other suggestions to share?
>> Or perhaps knowledge of consumer report info on same? 
>>
>> Thanks. 
>>
>> DanA 
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Cameron Stoker" <[email protected]>
>> To: <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:23 AM
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Responses to "Possible new TH design" 
>>
>>
>> > Thought I should respond to this thread -
>> >
>> > I bought a set of plans from Bruce several years ago for the
>> > grasshopper hammer, and they sat quietly for some time, but about a
>> > month ago I ended up needing to clean out my scrap pile, and realized
>> > there were many shapes of stock appropriate for the GH. Spent about
>> two
>> > and a half weeks of more off than on working at building the
>> > grasshopper hammer, and finished it about the beginning of this month.
>> > I took some photos of the building at several stages, and one or two
>> of
>> > the finished hammer. I'll see about posting them to the photo site.
>> >
>> > I have since been very busy and haven't been working on projects where
>> > a treadle hammer was the appropriate tool so I have probably only used
>> > the hammer for about an hour.  The bearings are just starting to
>> > break-in and get really smooth - I sometimes just bounce the head a
>> bit
>> > while waiting between heats because it's fascinating to watch the
>> > mechanism work.
>> >
>> > I think this hammer will really come into its prime when I've had time
>> > to make a few die sets. I mainly just used it with some top tools over
>> > a lead block to clean up lines in some bronze repouse. Very nice to
>> > have the all the adjustments available.  The action is very smooth.
>> >
>> > Thanks Bruce
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Cameron Stoker
>> > [email protected]
>> > "May you run like a vicu�a!"
>> > pgp key @ http://keys.stoker.net
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> > theforge mail list group photo site is
>> > http://www.photoaccess.com
>> > Login:  [email protected]
>> > password:  anvil
>> > ___________
>> >
>> > 
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> 
>>
>>
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  [email protected]
> password:  anvil
> ___________ 
> 
> 

Dann Johnson 