This thing just arrived last week and I've had a little bit of time to play with and collect some thoughts.

Inital impressions: It looks very similar to the eastwood, but don't be fooled. The eastwood uses high frequency and this does not. HF is good for welders but not for plasma cutters.
Torch is a trafimet style. It has a long lead, probably over 12 feet which is great! Quick connect for the ground using a dinse. Great idea.
Small cable that hooks up to the front is the ground that goes to the torch head. Looks small in my opinion but from what I have seen these don't need to be large. Uses a 2 pin connection for the trigger. The unit is LIGHT and easy to move and being able to disconnect everything is a BONUS. Only thing I want for it now is a stand off to play with so I don't drag the tip.

Likes:
Quick connects.
Small easy to hold torch.
Standard consumables.
110/220
It's QUIET. Not a loud machine at all.

Down side.
Well with all good things there has to be something I don't like right?
The barb connection on the back and air hose it comes with make you have to get creative to hook it up. I used 2 air compressor fittings and a female to female adapter, but still at 80psi and a clamp it blew the hose off the back of the machine. Solution is super simple. Unscrew it, and grab an air connector and teflon paste and replace. Simple and took 2 minutes now my air hose plugs directly to the machine.
Kind of wish it had a built in air compressor for those times you need a quick cut, but it seems nobody makes those anymore aside from hobart. I think I just got spoiled having the hobart 250ci for 1/8" and under.

Cutting:
Well it's not what I expected. It's better. I didn't honestly think it would cut as smooth as it does. Nor as thick. I cut some 1/4" steel last night like it was BUTTER.
Did some .100 aluminum around 27amps and the dross was very very minimal. I have more cutting to do this weekend so I'll report back, I'm sure I'll go through a set of consumables rather quick on this thing with all the cutting I have to do.


Unit will still read as high as 38amps on 110v. Haven't cut with it on 110v, but I'm sure it would need a 30amp circuit or larger on 110v.

Out with the old, in with the new






How does it compare to others?

Well the hobart 250ci was great with a built in compressor but it wouldn't cut anywhere near as thick or as fast or as clean as this.
How about the eastwood? Well that thing just sucks in general. The only thing appealing is the price.
Everlast seems to have a comparable machine to this, the price is cheaper, but no personal opinion as I've never used it. And who wants green in their garage anyway


So in conclusion:
Clean cuts, light and easy to move, 110/220v option, digital display, good warranty. No complaints! A+ product. I will have to put it through it's paces and see how it holds up. Some torture testing coming when I get time.

I haven't gotten it to say 40amps on the display yet, highest was 39 (usually is 37-38), but I'll try it on another power grid and see if it goes higher. Not that it matters any at all.

Would I buy again:
Yes. It's a no brainer. If you are on a budget and need to cut it up then go for it! I think the price did go up recently, but still well worth the money!
Best one in it's price range.

I'll have to get some pics of the cuts up when I get time.

 

Cool! Very helpful write-up. Thanks.

 

I used the Everlast a while ago at a buddies house. His employer bought it, and we were just fooling around with it. I loved my 200dx from them, so I anticipated quite a bit, and was not disappointed. I got a smoking deal on mine, so I went with Hypertherm PMax45, and I like it more than the Everlast. I think that has some to do with the name though. I haven't found the limit to this machine yet, and either has my buddy at his work. He does lighter fabrication for a metal shop in Boise, Idaho and I just make cool stuff for my race car. pretty light duty really. But I have seen it blow through 3/4' aluminum pretty easy, and clean. 1/2'' in steel! I was impressed.

 

I have the hypertherm 45 and nothing else I have touched can hold a candle to it. However it's almost 3 times the price of the everlast and longevity. So on a budget it's GREAT! On production or Cnc use or cutting thick stuff the powermax 45 is the better choice.

 

What are the cost differences approximately?

 

The longevity is $659 or so and the hypertherm 45 is around 1700 last I checked.

 

Thanks!

 

Write ups like this are always great especially for beginners like me!

Thanks