Hypertherm Hypermax 900

[Mudinyeri]

Anyone have any experience with this plasma cutter? I found one on my local Craigslist for what looks to be a pretty good price, but no one I know has used one.

TIA

[ChiScouter]

Hypertherm is a good name. I was looking for a good deal on a 600 for like forever until a 900 fell in my lap. I haven't used it much but no problems so far. I did some googling on the model before I bought it and didn't find any red flags.

[Mudinyeri]

I've only found one negative Google result. Some guy saying his buddy's Hypertherm uses 5 times the consumables as his brand (can't recall the brand).

I'm not going to be cutting 8 hours a day 5 days a week so I'm not overly concerned with consumables usage.

Did yours come with a dry air filter?

[ChiScouter]

My unit is pretty well used and I was unhappy with my consumables until I just replaced everything at once. Since then I haven't had any problems. I have a small dryer on the back of the unit, but I have a refrigerated one I got on craigslist real cheap. I think the 900's are rated for something like 3/4 or 7/8 inch, but based on limited cutting of 1/2 inch I don't think it will go must past 5/8 if that.

[lt1yj]

I've had one for about 3 years. I upgraded to the Hypertherm 1000 plasma torch on the 900 unit.

I use it primarily for under 3/8" material but have cut some 3/4. It will cut it but it's slow and it leaves a pretty ragged cut.

One thing to check for is the surface under the consumable. If it's pitted you will need to replace the whole head. Hypertherm does not sell the parts to repair it anymore.

[Wyoming9]

What parts don`t they sell???

The torch on that model sucks unless it has all ready been upgraded to the RT60 torch.

It was the best move I ever made. Just curious what you thought was a good price. Do you have enough air?/ 6 cfm at around 75 psi.:D

[ChiScouter]

What parts don`t they sell???

The torch on that model sucks unless it has all ready been upgraded to the RT60 torch.

It was the best move I ever made. Just curious what you thought was a good price. Do you have enough air?/ 6 cfm at around 75 psi.:D



What kind of shape was your old torch in? Was the dramatic difference partially because old torch was shot? I was shopping around for a RT60 for a while and the going price seems to be about 400 bucks

[lt1yj]

I upgraded to the RT60 and I paid $345 for it shipped. They were running a special at the time.

The torch head has several internal pieces, none of the individual internal pieces except the consumables are serviceable anymore. The tech said they were having more problems with people misadjusting the service parts and it was causing too many isses so they discontinued the individual pieces and only sell the assembly. IIRC the torch parts were $225 to fix mine.

[PAToyota]

I have a PM1100 and upgraded to the RT80 torch, so I agree with the other comments about the RT60 upgrade for the 900 and figure that money into consideration when comparing the price. And a refrigerated dryer definitely makes a difference in cut and consumable life.

[Wyoming9]

Ok as I work for a Hypertherm warranty vendor . I still could get the parts you couldn`t get if I was so inclined to rebuild the old 123 torch.

No there was no real faults with the torch I just happens it was screwed up from the design. It was one of those things it worked but could be made better.

Hence the RT60 which is much more flexible than the old one perhaps only because it is new. The old one was like a cheap garden hose in the cold I thought it would break in the cold weather.

The unit works great now it is me. I have a drag shield on have not switched over to the unshielded consumables yet. 30 plus years of Oxy -fuel I still have the habit of keeping the torch off the work piece to be cut of course being to far away the plasma torch shuts off.:shaking:

[fj40guy]

Wyoming.... can you get the handle for the old style?

Yes, cutting 3/4" plate for stair runners my handle melted! :flipoff2:

Consumables haven't been an issue, just use a good drier and keep moisture out of the line. Bought a 'spare kit' when I bought my machine that had something like 10x of everything, still have it almost 10 years later (machine isn't used that often, but for something like the 3/4" plate was well worth it).

Yes, if you reassembly the cup or mix and match with the wrong items, it will not fire up. I had changed out the drag cup when I finished, but it away for a few months.... and really was scratching my head on why it didn't work next time I pulled it out. Doh, wrong consumable! :laughing:

[Wyoming9]

I have two good used handles setting on the shelf in my lawn shed I would let you have for what it costs to ship..

i would have to check next week if you wanted a brand new one..

If you never changed one they can be a bugger to get all the parts in so you dont jam the torch head.