I have a brand new unopened Titanium 45. I can still return it. I am wanting to buy a Crossfire or Crossfire Pro, mostly to make decorative stuff, but also to make structural items, sometimes for myself but really hoping to grow this into a side hustle.
So my question is, knowing that I know very little (I do some mig welding, and I’ve cut 1 thing with plasma) is it sensible to start down this road with the Titanium 45, or am I better off getting what Langmuir sells (razor weld 45)? I have no idea if I am really going to be successful with this, so I am wondering if the extra cash is worth it? On the other hand I don’t want to be limited because my equipment is junk and won’t do the job it needs to do.
I realize this is asking for an opinion, so please do me a favor with a little justification around your opinion if you don’t mind so I have an idea where you are coming from.
The fundamental question is what is the MAXimum thickness you want to cut? Several people have Titanium 45 on here, but I think they mostly stick with thinner materials.
I really don’t like the Titanium 45 mostly because of the torch and consumables. If your going to get a table then it would be wise to get a plasma cutter that is setup for the table. The Razorweld has its faults but is better then the Titanium.
Ok, so I really want the ability to use it on 110 and 220. Not with the CNC but on job sites or the road. Would I get the same goodness for the hypertherm 30xp?
Being able to run on 120v is more important to me that clean cuts on 3/8. Can I get clean cuts on 1/4 and use a 30xp? I could always outsource or buy a second unit if structural stuff becomes a bigger deal for me. Big question is, on thin stuff will the detail be as good. Can’t be artsy fartsy if everything looks like it was done with a market on toilet paper.
The 30XP will work on 3/8” as long as you don’t try and rush it. But for the money the 45XP would be a better deal. Its your money to spend as you see fit but for the extra amps I think the money would be well spent.
You’re basically going to have no working duty time at 3/8.
And not often people have a 30 amp 120 volt circuit.
Took a few clips out of the 30 XP manual.
You also want to be edge starting or pre-drilling your starting locations or you’ll be nuking your consumables trying to pierce start at that thickness.
Thanks. The outlets are not an issue for me, my mobile use case, where I need 120v, is to run it from my RV generator which has 2x30 amp circuits. But at home, and at campgrounds 30amp 120v outlets are plentiful, as are 2x50amp 120v outlets.
TLDR: return the Titanium if easy enough. Use it if you already own it and/or cannot return it.
If the Titanium 45 is new in the box and you have the ability to return it you may want to do so just because the Langmuir offering will work out-of-the-box with the ‘Torch Height Control’ option (even if you decide to add the add-on option later.)
That being said.. I’ve had the Titanium 45 working on my Crossfire for ~ 2 years. I did purchase a machine torch for it that was approx $300 and uses hypertherm consumables. It works great on 1/4” plate (I haven’t cut anything thicker but feel it’d handle 3/8 just fine at a slower ipm.) I did have to open the Titanium 45 to wire in the THC functionality (which wasn’t difficult or costly but did require extra time and research.)
If you’re on the fence just know that Langmuir equipment and support are top notch. I’m hoping to eventually own everything they make. So far just the XR and MR1.
