i need some advice on the purchase of a plasma cutter. i have narrowed it down to the hypertherm 380 or 600. i would like to hear from people that have experience with both machines. while searching on this topic it sounds like the manufacture specs are a bit exagurated on cutting speeds and thickness capacities. i will be occassionaly cut 3/8" mild steel but lots of 1/4". if the max on the 380 is 3/8 does that mean that the cut will be rough? will the consumables last longer on the larger machine if running at lower than capacity? i found both machines on ebay from harris welding. the 380 is $1040 to my door and the 600 is $1480 to my door. my question is will i be better off in the long run with the larger machine or will the 380 be sufficiant? i can afford the 600 but if it isn't nesasary the extera $440 could go towards another project.

I was looking at the same two models as you are, researched for a while and it came down to Hypertherm. I chose the 600, and it's sweet. I tend to buy a little bigger than I think I will use, if it's a tool I'm planning keeping for a long time, ex. my welder is a Miller 250x, probably more capacity than I'll ever use in my garage, but it sure is nice to work with. I was looking at a Miller 2050 for a while, finally decided that was way overkill. Either way, I don't think you will go wrong with Hypertherm, I think their consumables are about the cheapest. If I remember right, one thing that swayed me to the 600 vs the 380 is that the 600 can use gouging tips ( think plasma grinding, cutting out welds, etc.) I don't think the 380 can (been a while since I looked into it tho, I might be wrong). If you haven't seen it yet, here's a good review on the 600- http://www.bc4x4.com/pr/2003/hypertherm/
I bought of Ebay too, I think it might have been the same place ( same price). Fast shipping, no tax, and It came brand new in the box, good deal all around.Oh yeah, off topic sweet rollcage on your runner, I'm getting started on something pretty similar (but it's more of a dezert truck)

One other thing to think about is I don't think you can use a machine torch with the 380. So if someday you wanted to build a CNC cutting table it would be tougher to find one for the hand held torch. I'd go with the 600 but I usually find what I really need to do the job and then go one size bigger.

I bought the 600 about a 1 1/2 years ago and it works great I have used it to cut 1/2 steel and with fresh consumables it cuts it very nice I seldom ever use my cutting torch anymore only proplem I had was I couldn't find consumables locally so I had to order them online and got a better deal that way anyhow now I just have to remember to keep stocked up
a friends bought a thermal dynamics 380xl and mine puts his to shame not even in same ball feild

I would recommend the larger of the two. Keep the duty cyle down, and put less wear and tear on the unit. I have the 600, absolutly love it! This thing can cut some serious steel!

I have a hypertherm 900 (comparable to 1000) and I am completely satisfied with it. The consumeables are reasonable and in my use have lasted a very long time. One thing that got me initially was the air pressure for my machine it only needs about 65-75 psi depending on what you are cutting. Use the recommended pressures and it works wonderfully. I would buy the larger unit if it was me for several reasons, first the duty cycle will be higher. Second it will cut cleaner on larger pieces of metal. Thirdly like was mentioned above if you ever want to use a machine torch you'll have to opt for the 600. I always get more than I think I need and usually it is just enough. You'll be able to cut things that you hadn't considered before and it's very helpful.

-ben

How does the 600 cut a piece of 3/8 aluminum? What does the finish look like? Anyone cutting al with one of these?

I used a 380 last summer and it made me keep using a torch instead of buying a plasma..Look at this torch setup and download and watch the videos.sweet ass torch (http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/info_video_library.htm)

I got the HT 380. Biggest I have ever cut (or needed to cut) is 3/8 and the duty cycle for a home shop is no issue (at least not that I can imagine). I've never regretted the 380 or wished I had more, and I doubt any of the home fabricators are going to seriously miss the ability to cut larger than 3/8 or need a CNC plasma torch. That $400 saved would get you a nice cutting/welding O/A rig and provide FAR more benefit and flexibility than the larger plasma ever could, at least IMO. I also used it last week end to clean up a C14FF getting ready for links. Basically "gouging" and it worked fine, although not ideal. I did wish I had an O/A cutting rig just because the plasma torch has too much stand off, can't cut close to the tubes and leaves too much grinding for what I was doing. Wound up "gouging" off about 1/4" of the last 3/8" after the brackets were cut.

after reading the replys i think i am going to get the 600. sure it may be more than i need for home use but some day it may turn into more. i already have an ox/acetylene and don't like to use it unless i have to. the flame is inconvenient and the heat affected area has got to be much larger than with a plasma machine. some times i make high power rifle targets out of 500 brinell steel and wory about changing the hardness from heat. i don't expect the plasma cutter to completely replace my ox/acetylene like in situations like you stated baddog. you are right theripper, that is a sweet torch set up.

I have a 380 and if I were cutting 1/4"-3/8" often I would definitely step up to the 600 so I think you have made a great decision and Harris is great to deal with. They also send a nice flyer with the machines for discounted consumables. I think Todd is who I dealt with there.
Good luck, and have fun with the black boogies. :grinpimp:

I have a 380 and if I were cutting 1/4"-3/8" often I would definitely step up to the 600 so I think you have made a great decision and Harris is great to deal with. They also send a nice flyer with the machines for discounted consumables. I think Todd is who I dealt with there.
Good luck, and have fun with the black boogies. :grinpimp:

thanks for the input. i have heard else where that harris was good to deal with. i am always sketchy about ordering off the internet but feel confident dealing with them now. normaly i like to give the local guy the business but i just can't pass up that price. the local guys will still get my business from consumables and such.

now i'm anxious :bounce: :bounce: . ordered the 600 today from harris welding. they were easy to deal with and very friendly. i hope i get it before this weekend, i cant wait to burn some metal. $1480 to my door with a hypertherm hat and some gloves.

ive got a 350, the previous model to the 380. it cuts fine most of the time, but the thicker stuff that i want to cut every once in a while it struggles on. im still happy with it because i got it from an old friend for a good price cus he needed money. :D if i was buying new, i would step up to the 600.