Hypertherm088079 Powermax30 XP Building America Edition Hand Plasma System with Case and 15-Feet Lead

It took me sooo long to decide on which machine to buy but, after I viewed an unbiased demo video of the Hypertherm Powermax 30XP I was convinced. And it was within my budget. I like that it packs away easily because sometimes I need to make space available in my shop or take it with me somewhere. Being a practical woman, I didn't want anything that was heavy and cumbersome. I currently teach a Metal Sculpture class and its high-tech drag tip protective design allows my students to focus on controlling their body movements while cutting rather than worrying if the tip will stick to the metal. It's fool proof and works consistently well. I find it to be a highly reliable machine. Because this machine is without hiccups, all my students are inspired by seeing what they can do using a plasma cutter AND are introduced to a machine that works the way any user would expect. They just want to play with this machine it all day! This machine has all my student signing up the next level class! ...***this is additional comment*** After I bought this machine the company came out with a version that offer Air compression inside the machine! This one is called the PowerMax "AIR". I suggest buying this one if you want to be more portable. If you don't need to be portable then get the XP and use a 30+ gal air compressor. Still loving it!

For the small size and light weight of this unit it is amazing what it can do. Just hook up power and compressed air and it is ready to go. So far I have used it to cut sheet steel to 10 gauge and steel angle iron. Works great. I haven't tried it on steel thicker than 3/16-inch so far but have no doubt it can cut to the thicknesses claimed. My welding instructor recommended Hypertherm and I am glad I took his advice.

My husband absolutely adored this plasma cutter when he got it. He was very surprised when he opened it on Christmas. We had a slight issue in that the fine cut consumables were not in the box for some reason. But we contacted the seller Harris Welding Supplies and talked to Shelby. If you ever have to contact this company Shelby is your woman to get the job done. She was very informative and on the ball. She expressed how sorry she was that the part wasn't in the box and got hold of a tech or someone and they were going to send out the part right away. She even called me 15 minutes later or so and let me know that they got it all sorted and should be in the mail by end of the day. Shelby is AWESOME. When my husband actually started playing with his new toy he was very impressed with the normal cut the machine could do with the regular consumables. Very little slag and he had to do very little grinding or sanding or whatever it is one does to clean the cut. When he got the fine cut consumables for it he was even happier at the even BETTER clean cut he got. He said just a little but of grinding to clean up very little slag end and it would be good to go. He was seriously impressed. And while we ordered the consumables we needed off amazon cause we love this place. We also know that there are local stores in our area that actually stock what we need for consumables. It does need an air compressor since it doesn't come with one but that is not a problem since we have a compressor in the shop. For anyone interested in getting a plasma cutter this would be a very good one to look at. And if you need a good seller check out harris cause they have truly awesome customer service as well.

Hypertherm is the best brand for plasma cutting period! Other brands require you to stay 1/8tg inch or better away from whatever your cutting or you risk shorting out your machine but this hypertherm actually touches the material your cutting for better accuracy and control. Also this machine will cut 1/8th inch plate all day long without turning off or needing to cool down. This is a great machine for anyone and the consumables last as long as you have a great filter for your air compressor (I recommend the 175.00 one from hypertherm) one never has an issue with this machine and I have cut allot of designs out and I'm still using the sample packs of consumables! Also recommend getting the leather wrap for your 17' of cabling as you could damage it easily and 500 bucks to replace isn't cheap.

If you don't need to regularly fast cut 3/8 steel or 1/2 inch, this is the tool for you. Now if you absolutely have to cut some 3/8 or slightly bigger (even 1/2 inch), the Hypertherm will do it. (watch the YouTube vids on the PowerMax30 XP) It will just be very slow. I practiced on some 1/4 and 10 gage and it worked like a charm on 110v dedicated 20A circuit. Your milage may vary if you don't have a dedicated 20 amp circuit. I have yet to try it on 220V as I have yet to have 220 installed in my workshop. As well as this works on a dedicated 20A 110v circuit, I imagine it will even be much better on 220.I know you can buy less expensive imported dual voltage plasma cutters, but what if something goes wrong. Where are you going for warranty service or to get fixed. That thing is a pretty big paperweight if'n it doesn't work! I have only had it for a little over a week and its probably too soon to review. However it so exceeded my expectationsI felt compelled. I can always amend this review later if it takes a bad turn. You know tho I don't think it will.