View Full Version : Opinions on a Hypertherm MAX100 plasma cutter
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a Hypertherm MAX100 plasma cutter. I don't have one yet, and found this one at a decent price. Sounds like it listed for $4-5000 when it was new, (they stopped making this model in 2002-3), it sounds like it's about 10 years old or so, but per the seller still works fine. I know it's kinda big, and heavy, it will cut 1 1/4" with a hand torch, and needs a Good ground to avoid too much RFI since this has a HF start I was told. I'm sure there are better ones out there nowadays, probably smaller and lighter, but I don't do production work, so I don't mind. Any thoughts on this one would be appreciated.
I would just go ahead and try it/test it first. If the guy doesn't let you (say he's too busy, his compressor is broken or whatever), RUN!!!-
7. Try it on 16 gauge steel, 11/4" steel and some aluminum. Take off the cover and look at the inside (is it clean?). If you like it, can afford it, and need something that big, GO FOR IT!!!
:)
bert
Bert, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it is 3 phase and he doesn't have 3 phase power any longer, so that's why he's selling it. Of course, that means that I can't run it before I buy it. If the machine itself looks to be in decent condition, is there a price that would be reasonable to offer him that would be too good for me to pass up on it, considering that I can't actually test it before purchase? Also, I noticed you had listed 7., was there suggestions 1-6 that somehow didn't make it into the post? Thanks again!
ps I might make the offer/purchase contingent upon taking it to my LWS and having them run it thru it's paces, and if it works fine, then I'll buy it. Depends of course on if he would be willing to go along with that.
turbo38t
04-12-2009, 02:32 PM
Why do you need such a big machine? Hypertherm is the best in plasma IMHO....I have the powermax 30 but have used the 600 and 800 and never knew of a problem with them. Mine is smaller than a toaster and will cut 5/8" on 220v....DaveBert, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it is 3 phase and he doesn't have 3 phase power any longer, so that's why he's selling it. Of course, that means that I can't run it before I buy it. If the machine itself looks to be in decent condition, is there a price that would be reasonable to offer him that would be too good for me to pass up on it, considering that I can't actually test it before purchase? Also, I noticed you had listed 7., was there suggestions 1-6 that somehow didn't make it into the post? Thanks again!
ps I might make the offer/purchase contingent upon taking it to my LWS and having them run it thru it's paces, and if it works fine, then I'll buy it. Depends of course on if he would be willing to go along with that.
Bert, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it is 3 phase and he doesn't have 3 phase power any longer, so that's why he's selling it. Of course, that means that I can't run it before I buy it. If the machine itself looks to be in decent condition, is there a price that would be reasonable to offer him that would be too good for me to pass up on it, considering that I can't actually test it before purchase? Also, I noticed you had listed 7., was there suggestions 1-6 that somehow didn't make it into the post? Thanks again!
ps I might make the offer/purchase contingent upon taking it to my LWS and having them run it thru it's paces, and if it works fine, then I'll buy it. Depends of course on if he would be willing to go along with that.
Look what time I was writing that!!! lol.......sorry, looks like that should cover your bases....If you can't try it,that would scare the sh!t out of me. Parts (like the control board) could be EASILY expensive, your call. With the way MY luck goes, I wouldn't chance it. How easy would that be to wire up on 220v? Look up the manual on that, call Hypertherm if parts are readily available....If he wants $1,000 or more, I'd pass. Like Turbo above said, if I didn't buy my Hpertherm G3 1000, I would have bought the 30 (30 came out at the next tent sale). Think they run @ $1,500 AND you get the warranty!!! Oh, btw, if he does let you take it to your LWS and try it out, let your LWS hook up the 220v 50amp plug that you will be using...However, still no warranty....
Please let us know what happens....
bert
I was going thru my old emails, and realized that I had never heard back from the seller of this unit, so I sent him an email asking if it was still available. He called me tonite, saying yes, it was, and that he was interested in my offer, and of letting me get it checked out buy my LWS. So, tomorrow I will call them back again and ask if the offer they made me is still good, around $50-65 to run it thru it's paces, and make sure it is working properly. I sure don't want to buy anyone else's problems at this point, but he did say that it was working fine when he last used it.
If they will, and it checks out OK, I think I'm going to get it, as it is a very good deal for a unit that will be able to easily handle anything I could possibly throw at it. I'll post updates here if/when they happen, should be interesting!
The only bummer is that it's an hour each way to get it (not to mention that it also weighs a few hundred pounds, he said), the another half hour each way to the LWS, but, if there is a problem with it, it'll be well worth the time investment to find it out before the purchase is finalized.
breauxtus
09-18-2009, 07:17 AM
FWIW,
Walk away Chucky. If you can't run it, or find a place with 3 phase and air where you can, walk away.
I got burned on a plasma cutter I bought for $600 when I did lots of research, opened the machine which was immaculate, looked at the guy's place and fabbing work (great). The machine, it turns out, had been "loaned" to his boss, who must have plugged it into 220 when it was set for 110. A quick pop that let some of the machine's smoke out, and then it was up for sale on Craigslist. I'm the unlucky guy that stumbled across it and found a deal far too good to be true.
Having discovered the main board was bad, called Hobart, who were UNWILLING in any way to help me except to sell me a brand new board for another $600. Tried a local diagnostic guy that couldn't figure out which component on the board was bad. Figured I'd cut my losses and bought a new Thermadyne Cutmaster 39 and have never looked back.
Dude, beware if you can't test it.
EDIT: I should have read your last entry. Sounds like you've got it well in hand with a scheduled test of the unit's capabilities.
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