Powermax 45 or 1000?

[MetalTorcher]

Hi all, my first question here. I've just bought a used plasmacam table that comes with a powermax 1000 that has made a grand total of 25 inches of cut, so obviously it is virtually new (well, new in 2009). The couple I bought it from felt like the cnc table was too big of a learning curve and decided to sell it. Anyway, I already have a powermax 45 and was wondering if I should sell the 1000 to offset my purchase price and run the 45 on the table, or should I keep the 1000 and use the 45 for hand cutting? I quite likely won't be cutting anything thicker than 1/2" or 5/8" but you never know. Most of the steel will be 3/16" or less. A rep at plasmacam told me that the 45 would be able to do anything the 1000 could and then some, which has me questioning that statement. What to do, what to do? Thanks for any advice. (Feel free to jump in here Jim, I always enjoy reading your knowledgeable posts)

[jimcolt]

The Powermax 1000 has a 60 amp output, the Powermax45 is 45 amps, so the 1000 has more cutting power. On the other hand, the Powermax45 has a torch with conical flow technology.....so it actually cuts better, with longer consumable life, and with speeds close to the 60 up through 3/8". The 1000 will do better on 1/2" and 5/8" in terms of speed, although the 45 will provide better cut quality.

The 45 is rated to pierce 1/2", the 1000 is rated to pierce 5/8" on a cnc machine with height control (which you have with the PlasmaCam.

The best combination: Keep the 1000, upgrade it with a new technology Duramax machine torch, get a magnetic machine torch mount ( http://www.snapncut.com ) and you will have similar cut quality and consumable life as the 45 with much more cutting power. To use the machine torch you would also need an interface cable and would have to make a few changes to the PlasmaCam wiring.

I use the Duramax machine torch on my PlasmaCam with a Powermax 85.

Jim Colt

Hi all, my first question here. I've just bought a used plasmacam table that comes with a powermax 1000 that has made a grand total of 25 inches of cut, so obviously it is virtually new (well, new in 2009). The couple I bought it from felt like the cnc table was too big of a learning curve and decided to sell it. Anyway, I already have a powermax 45 and was wondering if I should sell the 1000 to offset my purchase price and run the 45 on the table, or should I keep the 1000 and use the 45 for hand cutting? I quite likely won't be cutting anything thicker than 1/2" or 5/8" but you never know. Most of the steel will be 3/16" or less. A rep at plasmacam told me that the 45 would be able to do anything the 1000 could and then some, which has me questioning that statement. What to do, what to do? Thanks for any advice. (Feel free to jump in here Jim, I always enjoy reading your knowledgeable posts)

[MetalTorcher]

Thanks Jim for the reply. As far as changes to the plasmacam wiring that would be all straight forward or what needs to be done? Oh, and also do you have the part number for the duramax machine torch?

[jimcolt]

The Duramax machine torch upgrade kit for the Powermax1000 is part number 228790. Here is a link to the Hypertherm info: http://www.hypertherm.com/en-us/Product ... 1000.jsp#2

If you are using a hand torch now on a PlasmaCam...to switch to a machine torch you need to disconnect the two start wires from the PlasmaCam interface cable (white and black pair) that are spliced into the internal trigger switch wiring...and reconnect these two (purple) wires as they were from the factory. Easy to do. Leave the other two wires (red/black pair) connected as they are to the main circuit board. Then, reconnect the white/black pair to pins 3 and 4 on the rear panel CPC interface connector. My sons business can supply the correct connector plug with a short pigtail that you can splice to, picture attached, or you can locate the proper plug at an electronics supply house.

Jim Colt

Thanks Jim for the reply. As far as changes to the plasmacam wiring that would be all straight forward or what needs to be done? Oh, and also do you have the part number for the duramax machine torch?

[MetalTorcher]

Thanks again Jim. I hope Hypertherm realizes what a great rep you are and pays you accordingly! When I bought my Powermax 45 the sales guy was actually trying to push his other brand of cutter to me saying he hardly sold any Hypertherms and sold many more of the other brand. He seemed surprised that I wanted to buy the Hypertherm, but I knew better. Probably the single biggest factor that motivated me was your advice and help you had given others on various forums about their buying decisions. Thanks Jim, keep up the great work!