Hypertherm 45 Torch Help

[GlennAus]

Have posted on here years ago but my account seems to have been deleted so made a new one.......

I was gifted a Hypertherm 45 plasma cutter (quite old so not the XP version) which I thought was a great score until it turned up without a torch. It appears that Hypertherm torches are over AUD$1,000!!! I have never used a plasma yet and really know very little about them other than the threads on here that I have read.

Are there any aftermarket torches that are worth buying that might be cheaper? Do they effect the cut quality? I have read that cheap torches burn through consumables and that in the long run Hypertherm consumables probably work out cheaper and give better results.

Just after some thoughts before pulling the pin on a new Hypertherm torch............

 

[Dutch Welder]

I bought a HT compatible machine torch from Aliexpress, and the original Hypertherm consumables fit spot on.
Also the machine side connected right up, my machine has the Hypertherm insert and lock type connector.

Still testing my CNC table, but cut quality with the machine torch is the same as with the Hypertherm hand torch that did come with my HT65.

So maybe find a knock off torch, and then use original consumables??

 

[Erie Fred]

Exactly what I did as well ^^^older Hypertherm 1650 with hand torch, bought the newest torch from Aliexpress, but with the connections to fit the older series, and use the Hypertherm consumables.
I also inquired, and got a longer lead, 10m from 7m, the additional charge was $50.

 

[GlennAus]

Been looking at AliExpress and eBay but am not finding much really. I have found one on Ali that appears to fit but it does not say which consumables are used and delivered it is only 50% of a genuine HT torch. Assuming they are HT consumables it does not say whether its the older Powermax or the newer Duramax.

Are the older Powermax consumables still available and will they continue to be available?

 

[Erie Fred]

Been looking at AliExpress and eBay but am not finding much really. I have found one on Ali that appears to fit but it does not say which consumables are used and delivered it is only 50% of a genuine HT torch. Assuming they are HT consumables it does not say whether its the older Powermax or the newer Duramax.

Are the older Powermax consumables still available and will they continue to be available?

If buying a new torch, you'll want the newest Duramax. HT is offering conversions to fit Dura torches onto Power machines.

 

[GlennAus]

Erie I did see a YouTube vid relating to the retrofit duramax torches however they look like they have a white electrical connector and the airline fitting whereas my older 45 has an all in one black connector that goes in the front of the machine..

 

[Erie Fred]

Erie I did see a YouTube vid relating to the retrofit duramax torches however they look like they have a white electrical connector and the airline fitting whereas my older 45 has an all in one black connector that goes in the front of the machine..

My 1650 which is older than your 45 has that white block connector along with an air hose quick coupler.
Your single black "all in one" IIRC is actually newer.

 

[Dutch Welder]

The all in one connector is newer.

This should work

Hypertherm 059473 Handmatige plasma-snijtoorts voor Powermax105 - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

nl.aliexpress.com

Yes, it states for 105, but you can fit genuine Hypertherm 45 amp consumables.
As I recall only the 30 amp machines use a smaller torch, and 45 and up is all the same size consumables.

 

[GlennAus]

Dutch. I made contact with the seller about this part and their reply was "059473 is compatible with Powermax45XP,Powermax65, Powermax85 and Powermax105. However, it is not applicable to Powermax45. The cutting torch of Powermax45 only comes with the original cutting torch." Shame. Might have to shell out for the original torch unless I can find a second hand one.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Are the older Powermax consumables still available and will they continue to be available?

Hypertherm do seem to be one of the companies that continue support for older products. I've never had problems getting them for old machines.

As everything though, once they are less common they will just become harder to find and you'll need to have an actual conversation with a friendly dealer rather than just click 'add to cart'

The connectors are unique but not magic. Nothing to stop you making up an adaptor to fit a different torch.

If you wanted to get fancy you could fit a central adaptor to the machine to use the universal torches although they are nothing like as common as the equivalent mig 'euro' connection.

I would say the genuine hypertherm torches are good quality, cut well, and in my opinion the consumables are reasonable value for money.
I don't know if I'd pay list price to fit a new torch to a 15yr old machine but I might go round a few local dealers with a handful of cash and see if they have any old stock on the shelf..

 

[Dutch Welder]

I think the seller is afraid to sell a product that will not work.
I do believe the torch should fit your 45, as your machine has the all in one connector.
And if the machine has that, then the torch will fit.

Hypertherm 45 owner manual

https://www.weldersupply.com/Content/files/ProductPDFs/88022HyperthermPowermax45OperatingManual.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOop0rxuPn9_YyezDa-MQgLSH9Nub4wY3em-l639ZMufKWD1z2d0G

Hypertherm 45XP owner manual

https://www.hypertherm.com/Download?fileId=HYP172110&zip=False

There you can see that the older 45 uses different consumables, but the machine end (FastConnect as Hypertherm call it) is the same on both torches.

So yes they are correct that any consumables that you had for your 45 don't fit their torch (which is a 45XP knockoff) but as you don't have any consumables at all that is no bother.
It would be different if you had lots of old torch parts, then the swap to newer consumables would be throwing away money, but as you are starting with nothing that does not matter.

 

[Mk1_Oz]

OK. Bit the bullet and bought the torch. Fingers crossed. Cheers all for your input.