Plasma

[Rusty]

Hi all, have been given this plasma cutter but it's got some
bits missing, torch and power lead by the looks of it ( hole in the back looks a bit nasty : ) I have never used or owned one of these so don't really know what I should be looking for,does anyone have a similar model or know anything about it ? I do know the torches aren't cheap and I don't want to buy one if the machine doesn't work, so my next question, does anyone live say 30 miles radius of Bristol who owns one of these machines and would be prepared to put your bits on my machine to see if it works ? I'm not in any hurry and don't plan on using it any time soon but would just like to sort it.
( I would drive to you of course )

cheers.

 

[Robotstar5]

Can't be 100% sure but our welding supplier rates Hypertherm as one of the best makes of plasma cutter, will check for info when I go back to work.

 

[Welderpaul]

Can't be 100% sure but our welding supplier rates Hypertherm as one of the best makes of plasma cutter, will check for info when I go back to work.

How do other forum members (Particularly trade!) rate Hypertherm for their plasma cutters?
How do they perform compared to the likes of Murex, Lincoln, Esab etc etc?

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

have a look on ebay for a company called Shop River or River Shop (I can't remember exactly!).

They list all sorts of cutter/welder bits and pieces and may be able to help with a cutting torch at a reasonable price, but you may have to modify your connector to fit one.

Regards
Peter

 

[Hitch]

Our hypertherm is a good machine, not keen on the torch though, its got a safety switch thats a bit fiddly, plus you have to reset the machine if you change tips.
Nice clean quick cut, if a little fumey.

Much prefer the thermal dynamics one

 

[Barking Mat]

Erm, wouldn't that hole in the back be for a power cable? Or rodent access?

 

[MarkG]

Defo looks like the power cable has been removed too.

I can say, it won't be a cheap repair whatever you do to it. Torches can cost up to 1/3 of the (brand new) machine price. Input cable, depends if it's a single phase or 3 phase machine, and what kind of power it draws.. Should be mentioned on the rating plate.

Hyperfirm are considered to be the best out there, purely as all they make is Plasmas, and have been doing it for many years..

 

[rusty69bus]

looks good, definateley worth a play with. buying a cheap plasma secondhand 150+
have a word with weldequip

 

[snowcat]

How do other forum members (Particularly trade!) rate Hypertherm for their plasma cutters?
How do they perform compared to the likes of Murex, Lincoln, Esab etc etc?

I like the hypertherm quick very quick cut (mines the BB of that machine)... I dont like the lincolns much I found both the big and the small machines to be heavy on consumables, and there only an Italain bageing job not a true lincoln machine... TBH I switch mine on cut what I want turn it off, thats it seams simple reliable and give's clean cuts.

The hole in the back is the power lead rusty proberbly hard wired in, the torch on mine is hardwired in, thats all your missing, I dont think theres anyway of testing without buying a torch... but that looks like the only missing part...

Oh and I think all but the very small, hypertherms come out with a euro transformer in them which is 3ph only.

 

[Rusty]

Thanks guys, I thought I saw somewhere this model could be used on single phase or three phase, not sure tho,I think there are a few torches out there to fit this model I think it was a RT60, I have seen torches from about £150 but like I said I don't want to spend that sorta money only to find it's knackered I might try and sort the power lead out first just to see if it power's up I just wonder why the power lead is missing in the first place ?

 

[snowcat]

I thought I saw somewhere this model could be used on single phase or three phase, not sure tho,

Had a flick through my book for the 1250,(not the 800 mind) Stateside they run an anyphase transformer, euro models come out with a 3ph transformer, DIY welding is a dealer for them it might be worth a phonecall..

 

[Rusty]

I thought I saw somewhere this model could be used on single phase or three phase, not sure tho,

Had a flick through my book for the 1250,(not the 800 mind) Stateside they run an anyphase transformer, euro models come out with a 3ph transformer, DIY welding is a dealer for them it might be worth a phonecall..

Cheers mate

 

[Barking Mat]

I know nothing, and don't want to sound doom laden, but if its had the power cable stripped, the earth clamp and the torch....It dont bode well. Having said that try wiring it up and see if if the light comes on, that would be a good start, inside the back youll probably be able to see if its 3ph or single ph. I was thinking how I would go about seeing if it may work but my ways of checking things sound dodgy, so i'll stop, good luck.

 

[Rusty]

I might try and locate a manual for the machine this would help,if it is only 3 ph it's no good to me

 

[Barking Mat]

Go on, take the cover off, you might find half the insides are missing too. Seriously, pop the cover off and take a photo of the inputs, and that plate on the back, ive just zoomed in on it but the photo blurs badly.

 

[Robotstar5]

Found the brochure and the specs state all models up to the Powermax1250 will run single phase.
Powermax800 is not shown but input current is shown as
Powermax600 - 40A, Powermax1000 - 44A
So yours should be somewhere in between

Contact HTUK.info@hypertherm.com

Hope this helps, Stuart.

 

[snowcat]

Found the brochure and the specs state all models up to the Powermax1250 will run single phase.
Powermax800 is not shown but input current is shown as
Powermax600 - 40A, Powermax1000 - 44A
So yours should be somewhere in between

Contact HTUK.info@hypertherm.com

Hope this helps, Stuart.

I thought this, but when you look in the technical part in the handbook it states Standard models 1-3 phase........CE Models 3ph...
My 1250 is certanly 3ph iv switched it on when iv thrown a line fuse although she lights up it throws a warning lamp and cuts out when you try the arc... the earlier models like rustys could be but looks like the newer ones are defo 3 phase.

 

[Rusty]

Thanks again guys, if I have time tomorrow I'll whip the cover off and see if there's anything inside
I'll also take a photo of the label on the back.

 

[matt1978]

Our hypertherm is a good machine, not keen on the torch though, its got a safety switch thats a bit fiddly, plus you have to reset the machine if you change tips.
Nice clean quick cut, if a little fumey.

Much prefer the thermal dynamics one

The changing tip thing is a bit annoying but its a safety device, there is a micro-switch on under the retaining cap which gets released when you unscrew it. Its handy because you don't want to be handling the potentially live end of the torch when your replacing consumables.

In my opinion (Trade), Hypertherm is definately 1 of the best cutters available. Good quality consistant cuts, reliable and good warrantys. Def hard to beat.

 

[Rusty]

Thanks matt1978, i'l post some photo's soon as i get a chance