CNC Plasma table?

[Djstorm100]

Who has one?

I'm a CAD guy and have a 3D printer at home. Been thinking and looking at getting a plasma table to start making my own items but to also take on jobs as a side gig. Didn't know if we have member with any hobby/commerical-hobbyist machine.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

I don't own one personally but I know someone who owns a torchmate you really can make almost anything with it.

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[kkroger]

in June 2014 I built my first Plasma Table, while working a full time job, APP 8 hours to build the table, 4 weeks waiting on the electronics. by November it had paid for itself by making things word of mouth, by August 2015 I was cutting product for another shop, by November I was doing that as my full time job, still am, in June of 2017 we grossed $100k for the month. We do many types of custom work. Signage mostly, it really won't pay much making tabs gussets and such for motorsports as those are readily available for less than it would cost to make them. "Art" and Signs are what makes the money, not Baseplates and such, I also make Tool Racks. sold now exclusively through Harry Epstein in KC https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/kc-metal-worx.html
Be advised that a plasma table is a dirty dirty dirty machine, there will be atomized iron and aluminum in the air and all white surfaces in the shop will take on a yellow hue, whether Downdraft or Water Table... everything will have a layer of grit on it... Now we have my original 5x5 that typically runs production items and a larger 5x10 that gets used for larger custom items. I also occasionally outsource some waterjet stuff.

 

[dkmc]

in June of 2017 we grossed $100k for the month. We do many types of custom work.

Fantastic!
So, did you actually laugh 'all the way to the bank' that month?

 

[kkroger]

Fantastic!
So, did you actually laugh 'all the way to the bank' that month?

Halfway.... Then payroll, Rent, expenses etc...

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

kkroger, are you out of Kansas City. If you are I am happy to see another member in my area.

 

[kkroger]

Yes, out of KC I live in Pleasant Hill, and the shop is in Kansas City MO.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I have a 4x4 ArcLight, been running it about 14 months as a side project.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

Yes, out of KC I live in Pleasant Hill, and the shop is in Kansas City MO.

Cool I am in Overland Park but I have a good friend who lives on hubach hill road in pleasant hill, I spend a lot of time out that way.

Sorry for being off topic

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[Djstorm100]

in June 2014 I built my first Plasma Table, while working a full time job, APP 8 hours to build the table, 4 weeks waiting on the electronics. by November it had paid for itself by making things word of mouth, by August 2015 I was cutting product for another shop, by November I was doing that as my full time job, still am, in June of 2017 we grossed $100k for the month. We do many types of custom work. Signage mostly, it really won't pay much making tabs gussets and such for motorsports as those are readily available for less than it would cost to make them. "Art" and Signs are what makes the money, not Baseplates and such, I also make Tool Racks. sold now exclusively through Harry Epstein in KC https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/kc-metal-worx.html
Be advised that a plasma table is a dirty dirty dirty machine, there will be atomized iron and aluminum in the air and all white surfaces in the shop will take on a yellow hue, whether Downdraft or Water Table... everything will have a layer of grit on it... Now we have my original 5x5 that typically runs production items and a larger 5x10 that gets used for larger custom items. I also occasionally outsource some waterjet stuff.

Awesome story! Very well done. Do you have someone do your painting/art work?

A lot of what we do are one off things that are not made. For my purpose it would be automotive related but I would be foolish not to take on different jobs.

I though Plasmacam was going to be a good one to get my feet wet but they got bad reviews.

 

[Djstorm100]

Anyone else?

 

[jeepinerdeep]

What info exactly are you looking for?

In my experience, anything remotely automotive related is not worth the time to turn on the machine for business purposes. The aggravations are high, the margin is way too low. Most of the time for me this even includes artwork with an automotive theme. I just don't jive well with the clientele.

If you look closely above, commercial signage and his own products are where Mr. Kroger is making his money.

I've done a few commercial and large farm sign jobs that were good. I do some name monograms and the like the sell for 70-100 ish - that's OK, especially for gifts. I also have some smaller 20 buck artwork I make in batches out of scraps. I don't take custom orders for anything less than 60.

 

[Djstorm100]

What info exactly are you looking for?

In my experience, anything remotely automotive related is not worth the time to turn on the machine for business purposes. The aggravations are high, the margin is way too low. Most of the time for me this even includes artwork with an automotive theme. I just don't jive well with the clientele.

If you look closely above, commercial signage and his own products are where Mr. Kroger is making his money.

I've done a few commercial and large farm sign jobs that were good. I do some name monograms and the like the sell for 70-100 ish - that's OK, especially for gifts. I also have some smaller 20 buck artwork I make in batches out of scraps. I don't take custom orders for anything less than 60.

Automotive is just for me and why I would be using the machine. The only other person I can think of would be a buddy of mine who makes adapters conversion kits.

Mainly is what machine someone has, what they don't and do like, accuracy, reliability, maintence, etc.

 

[4 FN 27]

I have a Plasma Table at home...not really liking it. I have been spoiled by Laser Cut Edges since 1979. Hard to go back to grinding and finishing edges...

I mean not to say it is a bad machine it is just comparing apples to cows.

The programming software is lacking but you get what you pay for. I am use to designing in Solidworks or Cadkey and importing files into Fabri-Cam for the Turrets and Lasers or Master Cam for my CNC Mill...but the Plasma has it's own software. If I decide to keep it I might upgrade the software if possible.

Otherwise I am changing the Machine out to a Water Jet. I'll make the investment so I have the edge quality I want. I would love to put a Laser in but the consumables and part time use will take it's toll on the pocket book.

Find a niche that will cash flow it and all will be good. I found with our 6 Laser Centers here at work they pay for themselves a lot faster when they run 24-7.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Automotive is just for me and why I would be using the machine. The only other person I can think of would be a buddy of mine who makes adapters conversion kits.

Mainly is what machine someone has, what they don't and do like, accuracy, reliability, maintence, etc.

O.K- I have an Arclight. I had narrowed it down to Arclight and LDR. Although I have had zero problems with the Arclight, I wish I would have looked harder at LDR's water bladder system instead of the straight pan I got. It's damn messy no matter what you do.

Arclight and LDR are said to have both have great support. I called Arclight twice with questions on how to do certain things, picked right up and helped me immediately.

Both Arclight and LDR are built on the basis of the same controls you can put together yourself in kit form. What I paid for was the setup and expertise in delivering me a ready to cut package.

I bought 4x4. I should have bought 4x8. You can nest better, take on bigger sign jobs and save time/money buying or moving material around.

I have the Hypertherm 65, probably could have gotten away with the 45. IMO it's kind of over sensitive on logging consumable faults, but it does seem to be the norm in the CNC community, lots of support.

 

[kkroger]

On the other hand I have seen laser stuff that looked like a Beaver gnawed it out... Here is an example of Air Plasma on 3/16 Aluminum, I HAD a sample of Waterjet too but I can't find it right this second. I'll keep looking for the Waterjet Sample... but this is straight off a light industrial Air Plasma....

I have a Plasma Table at home...not really liking it. I have been spoiled by Laser Cut Edges since 1979. Hard to go back to grinding and finishing edges...

I mean not to say it is a bad machine it is just comparing apples to cows.

The programming software is lacking but you get what you pay for. I am use to designing in Solidworks or Cadkey and importing files into Fabri-Cam for the Turrets and Lasers or Master Cam for my CNC Mill...but the Plasma has it's own software. If I decide to keep it I might upgrade the software if possible.

Otherwise I am changing the Machine out to a Water Jet. I'll make the investment so I have the edge quality I want. I would love to put a Laser in but the consumables and part time use will take it's toll on the pocket book.

Find a niche that will cash flow it and all will be good. I found with our 6 Laser Centers here at work they pay for themselves a lot faster when they run 24-7.

 

[slodat]

I almost pulled the trigger on a JD2 plasma table. The reason I changed my mind is the stuff mentioned above - there's no money in automotive stuff, they are insanely dirty and for the $15k I was going to spend, I can get a LOT of material cut out of a job shop. So, I opted out. I do have a large bed (36x55") 150W CO2 laser and a 5'x8' CNC router with vacuum table..

 

[4 FN 27]

On the other hand I have seen laser stuff that looked like a Beaver gnawed it out... Here is an example of Air Plasma on 3/16 Aluminum, I HAD a sample of Waterjet too but I can't find it right this second. I'll keep looking for the Waterjet Sample... but this is straight off a light industrial Air Plasma....

I hear you...no Beavers in my shop...I work in a lot of thin gauge stuff with small holes.

 

[kkroger]

I hear you...no Beavers in my shop...I work in a lot of thin gauge stuff with small holes.

I don't do less than 18 Ga CRS.. but at 300IPM Fine Cut Consumables and 45 Amps I get zero Dross and a smooth edge.

 

[4 FN 27]

I don't do less than 18 Ga CRS.. but at 300IPM Fine Cut Consumables and 45 Amps I get zero Dross and a smooth edge.

What would you run for .125 dia through .060 CRS? This is where I really struggle...

Does your software program on the line and use a cutter comp based on the material or does it output the code with the off-set as the cut line?

 

[kkroger]

Inside,outside or No offset, Lead in Lead out or no... different leads Arc, Tangent, Perpendicular I generally just use an Arc. there is also Kerf Compensation too.

16 Ga CRS would be about 280IPM 45 Amps, Fine Cut, I'd run INSIDE offset, (if just the holes) a .125 hole is kinda small for Air Plasma, BUT you can do it. I don't have a chunk of 16 handy or I would cut one, the Software compensates for ROUND as well. my "Tool" is .025 Kerf...

 

[4 FN 27]

Inside,outside or No offset, Lead in Lead out or no... different leads Arc, Tangent, Perpendicular I generally just use an Arc. there is also Kerf Compensation too.

16 Ga CRS would be about 280IPM 45 Amps, Fine Cut, I'd run INSIDE offset, (if just the holes) a .125 hole is kinda small for Air Plasma, BUT you can do it. I don't have a chunk of 16 handy or I would cut one, the Software compensates for ROUND as well. my "Tool" is .025 Kerf...

Thank you for the intel. I'll just have to do some playing when I get some time. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

I just got all my Fine Consumables a while ago just have had a day to play yet. The business has me working 70+ a week.

 

[kkroger]

Obviously SMALLER holes are more difficult, all your drive and guide rail figures in, the Laser has helical gears and Linear Rails, most plasmas (save for HIGH DEF) have straight cut gears etc....