Need new plasma cutter....Eastwood??Hypertherm??

The Hypertherm units have an industry reputation for best reliability. As far as "easy to fix"....pretty much all of the major brand plasma system use inverter technology today, which is essentially a power supply mounted on a circuit board. There are a few replacemable items on the main control board in a Hypertherm unit....but there are cases where the whole board would have to be replaced.

Your experience with the Thermal unit would make me think that there was some other type of issue that was causing a major failure on the board. Could be improper input voltage, or another bad (non board) component in the system.

All in all it is pretty rare for a board failure in the Hypertherm units.

Jim Colt

 

At work we've had several Thermal Dynamics machines. The first one was about the size of two roll around battery chargers and could cut 1/2" steel. The transformer failed within a year and was replaced under warranty. It failed the second time at just over two years old and they wouldn't warranty it. We had the electric motor repair shop wind a new one. The welding supply we buy from gave us another one that had a transformer fail and we had that rewound also.

After these units were about 4 years old, the circuit boards failed, replacements were not available so they offered a partial trade in on a new unit. We wanted to be able to cut thicker material so we bought a unit that was rated to cut 1" steel and had a water cooled gun.

At 4 years, the circuit board in that machine also failed and a replacement wasn't available. Thermal Dynamics offered $400 on trade in but I bought a Cutmaster 152 $100 cheaper without the trade. That one started rattling after 2 months and had to be sent in for repair. Every one of these machines use a different gun. The guys have difficulty keeping the parts straight. They were complaining that it wouldn't cut 1/2 inch steel. [supposed to cut 1 1/4 inch steel] I checked it and they had a gouging tip on it. They really need to mark the tips better. It's real hard to see the numbers.

I don't like the fact that Thermal Dynamics doesn't have parts available. Even their consumables become unavailable or they start charging a lot more for them after a couple of years. You might as well buy a cheap one if you have to throw it away every 4 years anyway. I'll try a Hypertherm next time.

 

I have an HTP microcut 625, it's close to 20 yrs old I think, all I've ever needed was tip parts. Roger

 

If it was improper voltage, then it's a super sensitive machine. No problems with the garage PC, CNC mill, lathe, MIG, or TIG. If I happen to find $1000 laying around somewhere, I definitely won't be getting a Thermal Dynamics again!

 

Ive had no problems with thermal dynamics at all i have a cutmaster 51 at work and cutmaster 50 at home but my garage isnt wired for it yet. The one at work has seen more hours and abuse then any peice of equipment should and all it ever needs is consumables and the occasianal filter. They cut great as long as you keep the tips clean if your cutting galvanized or rusty metal they tend to wear out quicker. The local welding shop services and sells them and has a nice selection of parts even for my older model

 

Have used dads Miller 12' leads and went with the Hypertherm hypermax 45 with 20' lead,(220 single phase). local weld supplier provides support and Hypermax (online supplier) provides suppoort. yes it cost more, but they have been doing plasma a long, long time.
I don't care for the power switch on the back of the machine but love the cut. good luck.

 

hypertherm here. I bought a 650 years ago and I call it the time machine, because it only takes a fraction of the time it used to cut with cutoff wheels, saws and grinders and finish anywhere near as nice as one pass with a plasma torch.

I bought the fine cut kit with it for really precise sheetmetal work. my next purchase (christmas day!) is a cnc table and machine head. Like said above, I didnt NEED all that power for what I was doing at the time but I bought ONCE and now I dont need an upgrade.

It will feel like everything about this purchase is nickle and diming you (air hose and fittings, extention cord to get the machine to the job, extra consumables, etc) but DONT SKIMP on an air filter. I got a motor guard filter that takes (inexpensive) rolls of toilet paper, havent regretted that purchase either.

 

I love HTP! jeff at HTP is man!


QUOTE=Roger O'Dell;6429633]I have an HTP microcut 625, it's close to 20 yrs old I think, all I've ever needed was tip parts. Roger[/QUOTE]

 

I usually buy Lincoln stuff, but my Lincoln dealer recommended the Thermal Dynamics over the Lincoln. I've had it about 8 years, and love it. I use it a lot, as do my buddies, so it has a lot of miles with no issues - just plug in and cut.