[Donn]

Hello. I have a Hypertherm Powermax 1100 which I bought new and have been happy with. I recently completed a cnc table for it and have added a THC from Candcnc. I am currently using the hand torch, but would like to add a machine torch. I also am considering going to a PM 85 in the future. My question is, is it possible to adapt or somehow use the new Hypertherm duramax machine torch on my older machine? And in the event that I upgrade to the 85, still be able to use the new torch? I don't want to drop the bucks for a new torch and a week later my machine goes south and now I have a torch that I can't use and need to buy another one for the PM 85. Any suggestions? Jim? thanks.

[jimcolt]

If you wait about a month there will be Duramax torch upgrades for almost all older Hypertherm systems, including the 1100. It will be a plug and play torch that will improve (dramatically) cut quality, cut speed and will provide between 3 and 10 times the consumable life as compared to the original torch. More details to come!

And yes....I would recommend the machine torch for this application...


Jim Colt

Hello. I have a Hypertherm Powermax 1100 which I bought new and have been happy with. I recently completed a cnc table for it and have added a THC from Candcnc. I am currently using the hand torch, but would like to add a machine torch. I also am considering going to a PM 85 in the future. My question is, is it possible to adapt or somehow use the new Hypertherm duramax machine torch on my older machine? And in the event that I upgrade to the 85, still be able to use the new torch? I don't want to drop the bucks for a new torch and a week later my machine goes south and now I have a torch that I can't use and need to buy another one for the PM 85. Any suggestions? Jim? thanks.

[Donn]

If you wait about a month there will be Duramax torch upgrades for almost all older Hypertherm systems, including the 1100. It will be a plug and play torch that will improve (dramatically) cut quality, cut speed and will provide between 3 and 10 times the consumable life as compared to the original torch. More details to come!

And yes....I would recommend the machine torch for this application...


Jim Colt

Thanks for the quick reply. Will this torch be able to be used on the 85 when I purchase one? Thanks again.

[jimcolt]

The torch itself is the same....uses all the same consumables, etc., but the connection end on the power supply has changed from model to model over the years (keeps getting better).....so yes the consumables are interchangeable, and no, the torch cannot be switched from one power supply to another.

Attached is a picture showing some of the various torch end connectors used over the years.

Jim

Thanks for the quick reply. Will this torch be able to be used on the 85 when I purchase one? Thanks again.

[najnielkp]

i have a powermax 1100 bought new in 1998. used the pac machine torch until
last year. replaced with rt80 machine torch. what a difference.cut quality and speed increased. but i will say that that the hypertherm electrodes caused problems. would get stuck in the swirl ring and not arc.changed to thermacut and works great.for instance. 1 electrode and nozzle in the last two days cut 350 1/2" plates , each with 28" of travel. then 1500 pieces 12ga. with 12". and is still has axceptable cuts. the same hypertherm electrode would do 1/4 .

[jimcolt]

Just be careful with the ThermaCuts (made in the Czech Republic) as the top end of the electrode has inferior cooling capability....they are cooled well on the hafnium end....but the torch end can overheat (under certain conditions) and you will damage the plunger assembly in the RT80 torch.

Electrodes sticking in the swirl ring occur from overtightening the retaining cap....it only needs to be snug. With the retaining cap installed snug...you will see better life...and your torch will last longer with the Hypertherm electrode....and the electrodes are made in USA.

The newer Duramax torch design has solved the issue with overtightening the retaining cap, and the consumable life can be 5 to 10 times that of your original Powermax1100 torch.


Jim Colt Hypertherm

i have a powermax 1100 bought new in 1998. used the pac machine torch until
last year. replaced with rt80 machine torch. what a difference.cut quality and speed increased. but i will say that that the hypertherm electrodes caused problems. would get stuck in the swirl ring and not arc.changed to thermacut and works great.for instance. 1 electrode and nozzle in the last two days cut 350 1/2" plates , each with 28" of travel. then 1500 pieces 12ga. with 12". and is still has axceptable cuts. the same hypertherm electrode would do 1/4 .

[Donn]

i have a powermax 1100 bought new in 1998. used the pac machine torch until
last year. replaced with rt80 machine torch. what a difference.cut quality and speed increased. but i will say that that the hypertherm electrodes caused problems. would get stuck in the swirl ring and not arc.changed to thermacut and works great.for instance. 1 electrode and nozzle in the last two days cut 350 1/2" plates , each with 28" of travel. then 1500 pieces 12ga. with 12". and is still has axceptable cuts. the same hypertherm electrode would do 1/4 .

Funny you should mention that bit about getting stuck. My torch recently started doing that. It fires fine but as soon as it turns off and moves to the next cut, it will not fire again. I have to pause the program for about a minute and then it starts again until the next cut. Very inconvenient. To be fair to Hypertherm, it was consumables from American torch tip that started the trouble. I figured it was just a bad torch design (blow forward nozzle) and will be eliminated when I get the new torch. I will get one of the new duramax machine torches to fit my 1100 and when that machine eventually dies, I will strip out the quick connector from the 1100 and make an adapter to the new machine if at all possible. Definitely looking forward to a new torch and those fine cut consumables.

[najnielkp]

me thinks that the new spring on the electrode is a mod to prevent the electrode from sticking. is it possible that i received a crappy batch of electrodes?all of the 3 packs of 5? i have never had problems with short consumable life with the thermacut electrodes. all things being equal, amperage settings, speed , pierce height, psi ,same air supply thru air drier.maybe my gas supplier, the largest in north america is importing chicom copies and selling as genuine? i dont know. i do see the results.

[mjbdesigns]

Jim,
I wonder if the Powermax 45 either comes with or would benefit from the Duramax torch upgrade? The 45 has been spoken of so highly maybe an upgrade is unwarranted? Just wondering

If you wait about a month there will be Duramax torch upgrades for almost all older Hypertherm systems, including the 1100. It will be a plug and play torch that will improve (dramatically) cut quality, cut speed and will provide between 3 and 10 times the consumable life as compared to the original torch. More details to come!

And yes....I would recommend the machine torch for this application...


Jim Colt

[jimcolt]

Unfortunately...there is not a Duramax retrofit for the 45.

Jim Colt

Jim,
I wonder if the Powermax 45 either comes with or would benefit from the Duramax torch upgrade? The 45 has been spoken of so highly maybe an upgrade is unwarranted? Just wondering