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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 05 2013 Post subject: Miller plasma vs Hypertherm |
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Hey folks, yeah, I know there are quite a few threads on plasma cutters and I have read quite a few but wanted to take this in several directions. First off, I have been a true believer in the blue machines but my recent creation of a Miller 375 boat anchor due to a fried circuit board has got me grasping at straws as to what I need to replace it. Actually, it may as well be a boatless boat anchor as owning a boat is not necessarily a requirement to justifying tossing this to the bottom of a lake. Replacing the circuit board is 95% of a new machine so that option was out. First off, the short in the board came from my shop and myself due to grinding dust. My bad, I think. I was blowing the unit out periodically thru the vents, seemed like the correct thing to do tho I could find no info on doing this. I was told by the repair shop that a dismantling of the cover every 90 or so is more appropriate. As the machine does not have a quick release assembly set up, is this something others are doing? Being pretty much catastrophic to my budget, I cannot afford for this to happen again. Anyone else fry a circuit board or heard of it, be it this machine or other brands? Any tips on premium care from any of ya'll frequent users? On to my second thought... referring to the title of this thread, since I am shopping, any input into the longevity of these two brands? No ill feelings here toward the blue machines, just ill feelings in my gut to having to pony up for a new cutter and I need to get my next purchase correct. Any idea on size for a hypertherm? My 375 seems to run middle of the road when compared to the powermax 30 and 45. On to consumables... yeah, I could call around and have for comparison prices but due to several of my LWS places not even being on the same page price wise depending on what I am purchasing I.E Argon for the mig, mig tips, stick welding rods, etc, I figured it would be worth it to pose that question here. Being a budget shop aka working on a shoestring budget, I just need and would like all aspects of my new purchase covered as much as possible by my Ring brothers as we use these daily rather than some salesman. Any and all comment very much appreciated. Special note to a hard core O/A user here on the Ring, I have never ran out of plasma on a weekend after the LWS was closed. Thanks in advance folks. _________________ Backyarder
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animal BBQ Pro
Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 935 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: |
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You can get the board repaired by a 3rd party a lot cheaper than buying new. _________________ New Braunfels Offset
Smoke Hollow #5
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And a couple of Weber kettles |
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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: |
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animal wrote: | You can get the board repaired by a 3rd party a lot cheaper than buying new. |
Thanks Animal! I was using my LWS third party, $1070 for the board, 90 days on parts / service but only on the fix. New is about $100 more, 5/3/1 warranty, seemed like a no brainer as far as sticking with the same machine. Might be some cheaper third parties but at $80 for each to give me a quote only to turn them down when still not cost effective, I would be deeper in the hole than currently. Think I have to bite the bullet on new, just making sure new is the correct new. _________________ Backyarder
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k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26020 Location: Southeast Texas.
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: Re: Miller plasma vs Hypertherm |
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Wreckless wrote: | Special note to a hard core O/A user here on the Ring, I have never ran out of plasma on a weekend after the LWS was closed. Thanks in advance folks. |
If you would plan ahead for the weekend projects running out of O/A is a Mute subject. Yoda has spoken.  _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: Re: Miller plasma vs Hypertherm |
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k.a.m. wrote: | Wreckless wrote: | Special note to a hard core O/A user here on the Ring, I have never ran out of plasma on a weekend after the LWS was closed. Thanks in advance folks. |
If you would plan ahead for the weekend projects running out of O/A is a Mute subject. Yoda has spoken.  |
I have spoken to our resident PITA Murphy and he has agreed Vidor seems like a good place this time of year, he has your address and a clean pair of Choneys Say hi and Adios for me will ya?  _________________ Backyarder
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k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26020 Location: Southeast Texas.
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: |
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Hahaha. will do my Brother.  _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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GF BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 2792 Location: Greenwich, CT.
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Posted: Jun 06 2013 Post subject: |
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Wreckless, glad ya'll got a hold of Mr. Murphy, he's been riding my a$$ for about 2 weeks, TX seems like a better place for him.(sorry Kevin).
On the plasma's, you could buy one of each and send me the one you don't like, I'll cover the shipping.
Good luck with it.  |
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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 07 2013 Post subject: |
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GF wrote: | Wreckless, glad ya'll got a hold of Mr. Murphy, he's been riding my a$$ for about 2 weeks, TX seems like a better place for him.(sorry Kevin).
On the plasma's, you could buy one of each and send me the one you don't like, I'll cover the shipping.
Good luck with it.  |
We'll see how that getting rid of Murphy thing works out GF, no worries Kevin, I gave him a fake address for your casa and I believe he has cloned himself many times over anyways. George, on the cutters, I take your comment to mean either one will work fine. Kind of what I have been hearing ( other than the old school fellow anyway), sort of like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge, Toyota, etc., it's all the same. Big name brands can ill afford to produce crap these days. I'll see what this post further produces but I have a feeling that access to and price of consumables may be the biggest deciding factor. _________________ Backyarder
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GF BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 2792 Location: Greenwich, CT.
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Posted: Jun 07 2013 Post subject: |
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Wreckless, I have very little knowledge on plasma's. I called a fitter buddy of mine and asked him, he said it wouldn't matter as long as he could get consumables localy and didn't have to order everything.
BTW, Murphy hasn't left Ct. yet.  |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Jun 08 2013 Post subject: |
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I have a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 I think the "Cutmaster" was named after me and I love the machine. I do a skirt off cleaning on it maybe once a year, also on my Blue 250, I think Ill bump that up to twice a year now I love my plasma, it has been a great machine for everything I do with it. I have used a Miller 375 and it seemed to cut well for me. My buddy has a Hypertherm 30 and I have cut with it also, it doesn't seem to have the balls my Thermal Dynamics does IMO. My bud says he has used a 45 and wished he would have stepped up with the $$ and went that instead of a 30. He does cut a lot of 1/4" and 3/8" plate. Consumables for the 3 plasmas are fairly close in price range...all expensive. I found a seller on eBay that I buy the same tips in the same bags I get here from my supplier, but at almost 1/2 the price and with free shipping. There are always places to find the consumables cheaper online, but just keep in mind to keep extra on hand so you don't run out and have to buy the high priced ones at your supplier on Friday afternoon. Personally, I think whatever route you take, you will get a good machine. All 3 are good names and good products, Id look for the best deal and then weigh out the options
JM2CW
FWIW, if you do buy 2 and just keep 1, I think I should get dibs on it over George I mean we have been through so much together...Camp Vidor...Twin Pits...yada yada yada  _________________ X2 Finished Build
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GF BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 2792 Location: Greenwich, CT.
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Posted: Jun 09 2013 Post subject: |
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Troy, if what you mean by "been through so much together" means you watched a brother burry his truck and then watched Kevin come-along it out, your right.
Now that you've thrown Thermal Dynamics into the mix, there could be two rejects.
Sorry for gettin off track on this.  |
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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 10 2013 Post subject: |
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TrailerBuilder wrote: | I have a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 I think the "Cutmaster" was named after me and I love the machine. I do a skirt off cleaning on it maybe once a year, also on my Blue 250, I think Ill bump that up to twice a year now I love my plasma, it has been a great machine for everything I do with it. I have used a Miller 375 and it seemed to cut well for me. My buddy has a Hypertherm 30 and I have cut with it also, it doesn't seem to have the balls my Thermal Dynamics does IMO. My bud says he has used a 45 and wished he would have stepped up with the $$ and went that instead of a 30. He does cut a lot of 1/4" and 3/8" plate. Consumables for the 3 plasmas are fairly close in price range...all expensive. I found a seller on eBay that I buy the same tips in the same bags I get here from my supplier, but at almost 1/2 the price and with free shipping. There are always places to find the consumables cheaper online, but just keep in mind to keep extra on hand so you don't run out and have to buy the high priced ones at your supplier on Friday afternoon. Personally, I think whatever route you take, you will get a good machine. All 3 are good names and good products, Id look for the best deal and then weigh out the options
JM2CW |
Thanks for the info bro, I'm thinking as of now to just replace it with the same rig, the newer model comes with a upgrade torch so just maybe I can will be able to keep up with Mr. Cutmaster himself . The consumables are readily available tho i will have to check out the online prices, good advice there. TrailerBuilder, Cutmaster? Add any more aliases to your resume and I may be inclined to think you might be capable of some devious BS from time to time. Oh, wait... , nevermind... FWIW, I did mean to include the Thermal Dynamics brand in this thread. I am currently borrowing my bud Jimbo's Cutmaster 102. Yumpin Yimminy Jehosaphat, that bad boy rips thru 1/4" plate like butter, I'm guessing like 10' a minute? No idea since my single stage 80 gal compressor is the weak link in that combo
TrailerBuilder wrote: |
FWIW, if you do buy 2 and just keep 1, I think I should get dibs on it over George I mean we have been through so much together...Camp Vidor...Twin Pits...yada yada yada  |
Dude, yup, we have been thru some good times together and in light of you pointing this out I feel obligated to offer you first dibs on this certified machine. I think the tag attached says that all knobs, bolts, etc are in fine working order, just disregard the other info on the tag as it prolly irrevelant info.
 _________________ Backyarder
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Wreckless BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2292 Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Posted: Jun 10 2013 Post subject: |
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GF wrote: | Troy, if what you mean by "been through so much together" means you watched a brother burry his truck and then watched Kevin come-along it out, your right.
Now that you've thrown Thermal Dynamics into the mix, there could be two rejects.
Sorry for gettin off track on this.  |
George, just be clear, Troy and crew had our backs the whole time on the truck stuck adventure, offering up several times the encouraging words to Kevin and I " We're right behind you on this, keep up the good work!" Hell, they couldn't have been more than 30' behind us the entire time. No apologies needed for getting off track on one of my threads my friend, most of my threads go downhill shortly after my first post, kinda used to it.  _________________ Backyarder
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bigmike782 Newbie
Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Posts: 29
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Posted: Jun 12 2013 Post subject: |
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Hypertherm Powermax 45.
I am a died in the wool Miller guy but when it comes to plasma Hypertherm leads the way. |
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Maniac BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Posts: 2433 Location: Pa
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Posted: Jun 12 2013 Post subject: |
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got a hyper at our shop at least 15 years beat the crap out of her . Besides consumables we put a new torch on her when one of the wires inside shorted...would buy another one when she dies  _________________ RF Smoker
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Bgcoop8784
Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 10
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Posted: Jun 20 2013 Post subject: |
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Can't speak of the hypertherms, but I like the miller spectrums. We had a miller spectrum 1251 that ran great for 5 or 6 years until the board fried also, but It's mounted on a CNC plasma cutter table and it runs 20-30 hours a week and a lot of it is non stop other than loading unloading the table. We replaced it with a spectrum 875 last year and haven't had a problem out of it yet. |
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Dustin4185
Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 5
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Posted: Jul 19 2013 Post subject: |
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IMOP, I would go with Hypertherm. I have had both in an industrial setting (fab shop) and the Hypertherms seems to hold up longer. We have a LWS that sells and services both. We keep them covered when not in use and try to keep them as far away from the work as possible. I know it is a pain to pull leads/roll up leads, but it is worth it. |
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pitbullinc BBQ Fan
Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 141 Location: washington state
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 Post subject: |
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I have a hypertherm that has held up great. I talked with all our fabricators at work to find their opinion. The thermal dynamics and hypertherm were the 2 favorites. part of their logic was they are both companies that only focus on plasma cutters. They mentioned the miller machines had some components made by hypertherm. I think it was the torches. |
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morkdach
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Location: MID KANSAS
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Posted: Feb 02 2014 Post subject: |
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I would go with Hypertherm over any other brand.
I am a service tech for all the name brands and know what makes them tick.
I would go BLUE on welders but the Powermax leads the way in plasmas.A new 30 will be avail soon if you need 120/240 volt input. |
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