I know it's pretty little but I scored it off of craigslist today and it's a starting point. $250 but it needed consumables and I probably killed another $100 there. Played with it some, does fine with the .120 stuff. Just looking to get some feedback, I searched and sure didn't find much..

I have one I bought several years ago for an all in one solution for cutting sheet metal only. Mine eats consumables and the cut performance has never been great. I've severed 1/4" plate with it in a pinch tho. My Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 is many times better though. If I need a plasma that's 120V with it's own air supply and the cut quality does not have to be spot on, the 190C will do the job. That can mean a lot in certain situations where a big machine can't be used in the field without a large genset and a compressor. It serves a niche role amongst plasma cutters, and it is a starting point. Use it and if you out grow it, sell it for little if any loss and upgrade to something better. I can recommend Hypertherm Powermax and Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster machines all day long. I will be picking up a Powermax 1000 or 1250 for my CNC plasma table soon. I believe Miller and Hobart had a variation of this same machine.

The 190C is the smallest plasma available from Hypertherm, it was designed for portable firld use for HVAC contractors as well as roofers that work with thin gauge sheetmetal. It has a built in compressor, and operates off 120 volts, so the compressor and plasma have to share 20 Amps of 120 volt power. This means that the plasma can only produce 12 Amps of cutting power, and it is expected to be struggling even on 1/8" steel. The power supply is built for Hypertherm by Miller (the only one in Hypertherms product line that is not built in Hypertherm's factory in NH), the torch is a Hypertherm torch.

This plasma really should not be compared with any other plasma above 12 Amps output....its power and performance will surely be outclassed! Still, it is a good unit when used as intended, and consumable life is quite good when used for 1/8" or thinner materials.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

I know it's pretty little but I scored it off of craigslist today and it's a starting point. $250 but it needed consumables and I probably killed another $100 there. Played with it some, does fine with the .120 stuff. Just looking to get some feedback, I searched and sure didn't find much..

Jim,

I'm always impressed with your responses and it's a strong reason why I'm looking at Powermax for my CNC table - I like the ease of access to information from Hypertherm on this forum. I've never had that good of luck with consumable life on my 190C, though it's certainly not new at this point, but lower hours none the less. A majority of it's time has been spent cutting just what you said, light gauge galvanized material or 20-16ga cold rolled. That's exactly what I bought it for, or the occasional "uhh ohh" project that came along where it was the 190C or a reciprocating saw instead. I always wondered who built it for who, Hypertherm for Miller or Miller for Hypertherm. :)

Hypertherm supplies Miller's torches, and Miller builds just the 190C for Hypertherm....all other Hypertherm units are designed and built in house at Hypertherm. Miller used to build the Powermax380 for Hypertherm as well, but that unit was replaced by the Hypertherm built Powermax30.

If you ever are in NH....contact me, I'll give you a plant tour! I think we are about the only company left in the welding industry that build its products completely in the US!

Jim Colt


Jim,

I'm always impressed with your responses and it's a strong reason why I'm looking at Powermax for my CNC table - I like the ease of access to information from Hypertherm on this forum. I've never had that good of luck with consumable life on my 190C, though it's certainly not new at this point, but lower hours none the less. A majority of it's time has been spent cutting just what you said, light gauge galvanized material or 20-16ga cold rolled. That's exactly what I bought it for, or the occasional "uhh ohh" project that came along where it was the 190C or a reciprocating saw instead. I always wondered who built it for who, Hypertherm for Miller or Miller for Hypertherm. :)

Hypertherm is probably the best plasma cutter out there. I have the Powermax 45 which replaced the Powermax 600. The thing that sold me on it is that you can use the Powermax 30 consumables on it for 'fine cutting' and the inverter size.

The 190 is a good machine, but is more suited for hobby and decorative art work. Thermal Dynamics are, in my opinion, bulky and under powered for a comparable Hypertherm unit. Also consumables for it are much more expensive.

going to be removing some 1/4" spring perches tomorrow. Sort of planned to just rent a bigger one since they aren't too bad to rent but figured I'd try mine out on some 1/4". Very impressed, it cut right through. Stopped a few times, guessing bad ground or something (painted metal)

The Hypertherm 190C (12 Amps output) would be running with its tongue hanging out cutting 1/4"! I'sure it will sever this thickness, but very slowly!

Jim

I chopped off two ruffstuff 1/4" perches and cut a big chunk out of a crossmember - very happy with my lil plasma :)