As others have said you don't want to squeeze it too hard because you'd either jeopardize the future of the company or he could just close up shop, abandon the shares and reopen a new business, especially if there are no other current stakeholders to worry about.
1% IMHO is too small, especially considering you hired and ran good staff for 1.5 years, which is a critical time, and are already revenue-generating. At least push for 2 or 3. I doubt the other founder will accept anything higher than 3, but business types routinely undervalue the technical folks that actually build the money machine. ;)
This is the problem with cofounding, though... It's like owning a home vs. renting... it's far easier to move if you're just renting... Best of luck to you
I was most recently director of engineering at a startup for a year (as first employee, not cofounder), hired 3 good people who are still there, then stretched myself too thin with a toddler at home and we had to part ways (this was hard). Might be fun to have a chat if you're interested.
1% at current valuation will drop as new inventors buy in. Get protection that this amount never drops and try for 10% but settle at 4% non diluting shares.
If the company dissolves you get half of the existing value anyways and that amount is trending up.
The only reason to take the 30k is if you believe the company will drop in value and fall apart quickly. If that's the case you wouldn't be looking for 1% as that would be worthless.
You have to consider taxes. If you sell in less than a year any profits over your investment are taxed at normal tax rates but over a year you pay 15% in the US. Frances has complex rules where holding it for 2 years to 6 years will drop the percent owed.