Are Hypertherm really worth the money?

[WorkshopChris]

Does anyone have any experience of the heating function on the oxford? (about 1.45 in video.)

From my experence of plasma cutting i would expect consumables to have a short life used in that way.
But i does look like a very useful function. Almost enough to temp me to go for a oxford.

But in the back of my mind i keep thinking if it was a reliable process why wouldn't hypertherm make more of it.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Not used it myself but the guys who've had them from me say it is very useful for removing rusty bolts etc..

It doesn't use standard consumables for heating, you've got to use a different electrode and tip if I remember correctly.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Ok so if you have to swap the torch end over, its not any quicker than setting the gas up and then shutting it all down just for a few bits.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Ok so if you have to swap the torch end over, its not any quicker than setting the gas up and then shutting it all down just for a few bits.

Not any quicker necessarily but it eliminates the need to even have gas in the first place

 

[daleyd]

Be handy if you didn't have gas though. (Lots of home workshops won't have oxy acet due to insurance issues)

 

[Jim Davey]

I don't think there is anything that beats a Hypertherm. Make sure you factor in using genuine consumables. Pricey, but the copy consumables don't last half the time.
Oh, and use a good compressed air dryer/s - wet air kills the tips.

Depends who's they are...

 

[Kent]

I didn't even know plasma could heat

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I didn't even know plasma could heat

Not all of them can, only the Oxford cutmaker range has the thermal heating thing.

 

[Kent]

Not all of them can, only the Oxford cutmaker range has the thermal heating thing.

Ok I am thinking there
Might be a reason for that now

 

[blenkie1]

It might be pertinent to mention that I must have about half a dozen lazercutters within 45 mins drive of me
If this wasn't the case there would be a far bigger chance of me having one today

Yes that's great, but that's 45 mins there 45 mins back, time there, fuel, wear and tear. Find out more important customers are priority and you are back of the queue. All that saving plus no one else to pay if you do it your self. Will find out it soon pays for itself. Customer comes in for something cut and it's done straight away no waiting. It's the 2nd biggest purchase I made after my welder

 

[Kent]

You know I don't go out to do one thing and I am 20 mins from any town.
I do take the point but I can flame cut most things like I say I was doing this before plasma existed. Complex stuff that needs to be bob on and neat is always going to go to a specialist anyway

If it were that important to me it would occupy space presently

 

[Pete_88]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I ordered a hypertherm at the end of last week so just waiting for it to arrive. I wasn't really asking if I needed a plasma though, I've already got one so I know I need it, just needed more capacity!! Don't get me wrong though, gas still has a place in my shop, it's just expensive when you have a lot of cutting to do so that's where the plasma comes in, expensive outlay but once it's paid for itself there's no real cost involved apart from the odd few consumables.

 

[blenkie1]

You know I don't go out to do one thing

I knew you would be an organised sort of chap Kent! Yes I still do a lot of stuff with the bottles but times move on. I started off with just a stick welder but when you get a mig boy is it quicker, easier and more versatile and that little stick welder gets used less and less its the same with the bottles and plasma. My stuff does not need to be that critical so never need the use of something laser cut and you obviously do. Bottles are ok for the bigger stuff but the plasma can do thin and thicker stuff easier and neater.

Heres a case when some plates were needed to support a boss on a crane. Boss was going to farm the work out when I said why, I could do it. Did it straight away (whole job done quicker) and far far cheaper. Nearly choked when he told me the price they were charging and then someones time to go and collect them. No get a plasma Kent you know you need one!

 

[tinman123]

im with blenkie, since i got the plasma its been a dream, switch it on and your cutting, no messing about with the gas.
i wouldnt be without the gas either as it has its own place for heating and cutting thicker than 30mm plate but the plasma is sooo handy and sooo quick.
other than the mig it id be the last thing to leave the workshop, i just wouldnt be without it.

altho if i was only ever making gates and railings it wouldnt be as big a necessity, but an ironworker would.

 

[Pete_88]

In answer to my own question, hypertherm are worth every penny, what a piece of kit.

 

[HughF]

I'll let you know what the powermax30 Air is like tomorrow when it gets delivered...

 

[T0rnado69]

what one do you have Pete_88

im still humming and aaarring over what one to go for.