Razorweld or PrimeWeld or Hypertherm Plasma Cutter

[kurtPlasma]

I am about to pull the trigger on the Crossfire Pro, strictly hobby use, I can imagine myself cutting 1/2" material maybe.

I am debating on the Razorweld option (easy, plug and play) and ordering a PrimeWeld Cut 60 (larger amps, cheaper, but not plug and play) and a hypertherm (not plug and play and way more expensive).

I usually overthink everything, so looking for opinions. Also a bit of an unknown is the weight of the torch head and don’t want to buy a plasma cutter and then have to turn around and buy a new torch head.

Looking for any and all comments.

[ScottNH]

I have a PW Cut 60 with machine torch and I am very pleased with the machine and the Prime Weld company their customer service is fantastic. Some people had issues with earlier versions of the Cut 60 but not everyone (draw your own conclusions about that) I have a friend with the older version he has had no issues. The plug and play part is not that big a deal if you can do simple soldering if you can’t it’s a bigger deal. Hypertherm is the gold standard for plasma cutters so it’s hard to go wrong if you can/want to spend the money. If you look at the forum you will find plenty of people having “trouble.”

Success with this tool comes down to your commitment to learning how the stuff works, learning the software needed to cut metal and being patient with yourself and the machine while you learn to use it. It is not something that is “plug and play” in the sense that it is complicated and there are a lot of things beside the table involved. If you’re easily frustrated, impatient and not a curious type it won’t be fun.

On the other had if you can get through the learning curve it’s a lot of fun and a very rewarding hobby. There’s a lot of people on this forum really willing to help people especially new people that are willing to put in the time to figure it out!

Hope that helps!

[Phillipw]

If you can afford it you can’t go wrong with hypertherm. You can get cpc cable which is plug and play.

I have the rw45 and a ht65. Both good machines but the ht65 way way better

[ds690]

If the Hypertherm is an option, get it.

[rat196426]

Go with the Hypertherm, and Langmuir sells plug and play cable kit for it. You will never look back after using Hypertherm. The Hypertherm powermax 45 xp supposedly puts out same number of amps as the old Hypertherm 60?

[CrazyCasey]

I would absolutely 100% go with the Hypertherm cutter if you can possibly afford it. More about that at the end.

I can’t offer any personal insight on the Razorweld, but I have had two Primeweld Cut60’s, so I will offer a little bit there.

My first Primeweld Cut60 failed internally (un-resettable overcurrent light) within the first two days of use. Primeweld’s customer service is excellent; they had a new unit to me in about a week.

I’m convinced that the second unit “worked”, but I was chasing other issues for over a month, and when I went to wire the second Cut60 to raw voltage (STRONGLY recommended with the Langmuir table), I noticed that one of the resistors inside was burnt up, and it looked like it had gotten SO hot that it had partially melted the PC board that it was attached to. Once again, Primeweld was ready to send out another unit, but I asked for a refund instead.

Two units with issues, back to back…I admittedly have bad luck, BUT, I think Primeweld’s QC might not be the greatest, and honestly, their price reflects that. Their customer service more than makes up for the product short-comings, but with something that has as many variables as a CNC plasma application, I think people should buy the BEST machine they can afford, right out of the gate.

Now, it’s not to say that Hypertherm users don’t also have “issues”, but they seem a little less frequent. It seems like Hypertherm machines are very well made, and very well shielded. They also, arguably, have superior cut quality, a cut chart that will take 90% of the guesswork out of a beginner user’s learning curve, and up to 4 TIMES the consumable life, according to many users.

BTW, my Cut60’s were both NEW units, not the older ones that people historically had issues with. My last one was made in November 2022.

[mechanic416]

Its NOT the amps that make the difference between say a Hypertherm plasma cutter and others. A Razerweld 45 puts out 45 amps, A Hypertherm Powermax 45XP only puts out 45 amp. The difference is in the wattage output per cutting amps. I don’t have the specs on the Razorweld 45 and the Hypertherm 45XP on hand. Maybe @TinWhisperer can give use these.

[72Pony]

There is no question if you can afford the hypertherm buy it.

I think plug and play is the wrong term. I think plug and play as related to CNC plasma is a fantasy. Plug and play only means you won’t have to do any soldering or open your machine to hookup to the RAW voltage. There is a big learning curve, you will likely have problems and you will make some scrap.

As Casey said hypertherm has extensive cut charts that will help with one of the many variables.

I have a Primeweld machine and have had good luck with my machine but if you search the forum there are more than “a handful” out there who have had issues with them.

Primeweld also publishes feeds and speeds. I have found the book values to be accurate, but their chart isn’t nearly as extensive, and requires some interpolation and verification.

The Primeweld has the potential to be the best bang for your buck but there is some risk.

You might want to add an everlast machine to your list. As a hobby user if I were to go back and do it again I probably would get either the 82i or 62i. If you will be cutting allot of 1/2” I would buy the 82i. Everlast machines will need to be wired the RAW voltage inside the machine.

Again if the hypertherm is in your budget there is no question. If it is a business hypertherm is your answer as well.

[72Pony]

@mechanic416

don’t have the specs on the Razorweld 45 and the Hypertherm 45XP

As @mechanic416 said electrical power is measured in Watts.

The output voltage for the hypertherm 45XP is 145V

Watts = 145x45=6525W

For the CUT60 the output voltage is 104V

Watts= 104X60=6240W

I have searched but haven’t been able to find the output voltage for the razor weld.

I’m sure @TinWhisperer has it on file somewhere.

[smithto]

Are there decent speed/amperage charts for the Everlast units?

[72Pony]

Their feeds and speeds in the manual isn’t as extensive as Primeweld. But both the CUT60 and the 62i list an output voltage of 104V so using the PW cut chart would get you pretty close.

[ds690]

The short answer is NO. Everlast does not have a cut chart that I have found. The Primeweld chat is pretty close to what worked on my Everlast with the IPT/PTM 60 torch.

[smithto]

All good information. I’m in a similar boat as OP - just received my last XF pro box and shopping for a cutter. There is a used hypertherm local to me but it’s 85% of new and still almost double the 62i. This is just a hobby for me.

FWIW - I’ve also seen several recent reports of issues with the primeweld machine torch not functioning properly.

[smithto]

Looks like the razorcut 45 is 98 volts = 4410 watts

[TinWhisperer]

Here are the razor weld specs

Must be mis print in the manual where it says 20 to 40 amps.

Also it technical spec sheet says outside of 98v and the manual says an output 96v.

There is definitely a few discrepancies between the manual and the technical data sheet and what’s written on the web page.

[ChelanJim]

I have the Hypertherm 45XP. I am fortunate that I chose that cutter as I knew nothing when I did. Very happy with the machine. It controls the amount of air that it needs automatically. I hear some talk about whether they have too much or too little air getting to the torch. It is one issue I don’t have.

If you do go with the Langmuir cable that plugs to the CPC port on Hypertherm, they will expect you to have a machine torch. There are some ways to hack the hand torch to make it work. In the long run, I think you will be most satisfied with a (edit out: hand) machine torch which ever cutter you decide to get.

I didn’t see mention in the other posts but Hypertherm is known for its longer life with the consummables. If you end up using the machine more than you thought, you will be changing out the electrode and shield more often with other brands. The trade off there is that the ones that don’t last as long are cheaper. Where you save is with the metal piece that didn’t have to be the sacrificial lamb to scream that your consummables need to be changed. Of course there are gimmicks to work around that as well: Use new consummables with expensive metal pieces and save the partially used ones for smaller brackets and utility cutting. How much time do you want to spend swapping out your consummables?

No matter your choice, there will be a long list of pros for what you pick and always some cons.

[ScottNH]

@ChelanJim

In the long run, I think you will be most satisfied with a hand torch which ever cutter you decide to get.

Did you mean to say hand torch? If so I’m curious why you feel that way.

[ChelanJim]

I definitely misspoke: I meant machine torch. Thanks for catching this.

[jdr2710]

I run a hypertherm 65 which I owned for several years before the CNC. I had a lincoln something (powercut?) 55 before the hypertherm. The difference was night & day. The hypertherm cut thicker easier & faster with Much longer consumable life. My local welding shop was helpful enough to tell me to order with the CPC port. I got the Langmuir cable and machine torch holder and duramax machine torch and haven’t looked back.

If you want to pierce in 1/2" you’ll want a 65 amp machine. Most manufacturers spec max cutting thickness as edge start. The ht65 says 1" edge start and 5/8 pierce. I’ve only done one piece of 5/8 but it did pierce ok. I’ve done a fair bit of 1/2 and no issues.

The only issue I’ve had with running 1/2" thick at 65 amps was when the cut traversed the water table seam, at which point it cut deep enough through the seam to cause a leak. I was able to TIG from the back, with lots of warp, but it came out close enough that I was able to clamp it down and keep going.

[ChelanJim]

I have no experience cutting more than 1/4 inch mild steel but the literature for Hypertherm 45XP states:

Hypertherm is not in the business of inflating their numbers to sell units.
But, I will agree, if you are intending to give your machine a steady diet of 1/2" steel, the 65 is a better choice.