Powermax 900 consumables or Duramax upgrade

[wyofreeride]

I'm having a hard time finding a reliable source for 55A consumables for my Powermax 900 (120577 and 120573 mainly) so I have 2 main questions for the older machine owners and the experts.

Is there a good reliable place to get consumables that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for shipping, and has parts actually in stock?

Is the extra ~$820 worth it to upgrade the torch and have readily available consumables, and are the consumable really lasting 6 times longer? I can usually get about a full sheet/maybe sheet and a half of 3/8" plate cut out (about 200 pierces) with the current parts I'm running, so at that rate it will be a while before I can make up the cost of the torch in potential consumable life savings.

If the cut quality improves, and/or I can really get 6+ sheets of 3/8" out of a set of consumables, then it might be worth it.

Is the cut quality any better on thinner material with the duramax torch? Is the ability to use the finecut consumables worth the upgrade too?

That was more than two I guess, just trying to be an informed user at this point. Thanks in advance for any input.

[plasmanewbie]

Man if your getting that much cutting out of a consumable set I wouldn't change a thing!!!!

Can't help on a reliable source, sorry. Won't your local welding shop stock them for you if you ask?

[Ironken]

I use https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/
Free ship over $50

Or

https://bakersgas.com/

Very happy with both. Baker's stocks oddball Hobart filler metals that I use.