I just bought a plasma cutter and was doing NG research on air filters.
The Motor Guard seemed to be well regarded and I went to their site.
They identify the M-26 for plasma cutters:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_6.html
but they also have the M-30, for painting:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_2.html

The specs are the same, given one converts 45 cfm to 2700 scfh, and they
use the same element. But the M-30 is available for considerably less
money ($50 vs. $80, more or less). Does anyone know what the difference
is?

Thanks,
Bob

I just bought a plasma cutter and was doing NG research on air filters.
The Motor Guard seemed to be well regarded and I went to their site.
They identify the M-26 for plasma cutters:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_6.html
but they also have the M-30, for painting:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_2.html

The specs are the same, given one converts 45 cfm to 2700 scfh, and they
use the same element. But the M-30 is available for considerably less
money ($50 vs. $80, more or less). Does anyone know what the difference is?

Thanks,
Bob

I briefly considered one, however a Hypertherm tech who frequents the
Yahoo plasma cutting group indicated they caused a lot of problems. It
seems unless you feed them dry air, the gradually load up with moisture
and then disintegrate sending particulate matter downstream to clog
regulators, solenoid valves, pressure sensors, etc.

Pete C. wrote:
I briefly considered one, however a Hypertherm tech who frequents the
Yahoo plasma cutting group indicated they caused a lot of problems. It
seems unless you feed them dry air, the gradually load up with moisture
and then disintegrate sending particulate matter downstream to clog
regulators, solenoid valves, pressure sensors, etc.

I went to the Yahoo group & looked up air filter/dryers (thanks for the
reference). There's nothing better than the voice of experience and the
guy worked servicing returned cutters that were clogged. But it's hard
to believe that Motor Guard would market their filters as driers for
plasma cutters when they do that. I wonder if the problems were a
result of users substituting actual toilet paper for the Motor Guard
replacement elements. TP would be a lot cheaper than the $6-8 Motor
Guard elements.

Hypertherm markets the Eliminzer drier, but it's $150 and I thought the
Motor Guard was expensive at $50.

I dunno,
Bob

Bob Engelhardt wrote:

I just bought a plasma cutter and was doing NG research on air filters.
The Motor Guard seemed to be well regarded and I went to their site.
They identify the M-26 for plasma cutters:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_6.html
but they also have the M-30, for painting:
http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_2.html

The specs are the same, given one converts 45 cfm to 2700 scfh, and they
use the same element. But the M-30 is available for considerably less
money ($50 vs. $80, more or less). Does anyone know what the difference is?

Thanks,
Bob


I briefly considered one, however a Hypertherm tech who frequents the
Yahoo plasma cutting group indicated they caused a lot of problems. It
seems unless you feed them dry air, the gradually load up with moisture
and then disintegrate sending particulate matter downstream to clog
regulators, solenoid valves, pressure sensors, etc.

Pete C.

I have one on my Hypertherm 600 and so does the welding manager at the local
shop - on his 350/375 ? Hypertherm.

I suspect the bad rap was from a small one - or one just rated and once filling
with fluid it cut back on air...

So buy bigger to allow longer times between draining and replacing...

Once I installed one - I have two other professional grade dryers but they
just could not do the job with the real time monsoon we get from time to time.

"Martin H. Eastburn" wrote:

I have one on my Hypertherm 600 and so does the welding manager at the local
shop - on his 350/375 ? Hypertherm.

I suspect the bad rap was from a small one - or one just rated and once filling
with fluid it cut back on air...

So buy bigger to allow longer times between draining and replacing...

Once I installed one - I have two other professional grade dryers but they
just could not do the job with the real time monsoon we get from time to time.


All I know is what was reported by the Hypertherm guy on the Yahoo group
and he reported many units in for service with bit from Motorguard
filters clogging the regulator, solenoid valve and pressure sensor in
the units. That was a good enough report for me to avoid them.

Pete C.

That is good input - glad I have a filter mounted on the back end of my
Hypertherm and then connect to it from the Motor Guard via fast connects.
Just wish I had a nice auto drain and refrig as well. Have a nice noise
reducer on the dump value to lesson the noise to OSHA levels.

I emailed Motor Guard about their filters and got the following from Tim
Keating, the General manager:

- what is the difference between the M30 & M26 filters?
quote Tim
To answer your first question, the M-26 and M-30 Filters are identical.
The difference is in the mounting hardware included. The M-26 is for
the plasma cutting market and contains a bracket and hardware to
facilitate mounting on a plasma cutter. The M-30 is for the industrial
and automotive refinishing market and contains hardware to accommodate
other mounting methods.
/quote

- what about the reports of filters disintegrating and clogging plasma
cutters?

quote Tim
The filter element in the Motor Guard unit is not a roll of "toilet
paper". It is constructed of a custom milled, high wet strength
cellulose paper that is designed not to break down when wet. It has
been on the market for over 40 years and has been proven to hold up. In
addition, the core of the element is polypropylene which is moisture and
oil proof.

We guarantee that you and any other user will be satisfied with the
Motor Guard replacement element.

Perhaps the poster is aware of someone installing toilet tissue in a
Motor Guard filter. This is not sanctioned by Motor Guard or Hypertherm.
/quote

Bob