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I have no idea what I'm doing...Just ordered parts for a 4x8' CNC plasma table.

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kazlx

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rslaback

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Good luck with the build. Consider putting in a water table. It helps to keep the air breathable and also keeps the metal cool so it doesn't warp.
 
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kazlx

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Yea, I already have plans for a water table. I will be using the supplied plans from Precision for the table.
 
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kazlx

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Stepper motors. There seems to be quite a few kits out there that run well. I should be able to get down and purchase the steel this weekend to get started. I purchased the 620-4 kit from CandCNC. As nice as it would be for a turnkey system, I think I'll understand it better if I build it, as well as getting a 4x8 table with THC for less than a basic 4x4 system from other companies. I looked quite a bit at the Torchmate setups and they get good reviews. I feel like this is a good mix for cost/time between getting a table 100% ready to go and my wallet.

I looked at smaller tables, but the one thing I consistently read is that people wanted to go bigger. I'll most likely be using a Hyperthem Powermax 45 or 65. I haven't decided yet if I want to spend the extra cash for the 65. I have a 30 right now that I love that I'm going to sell to help offset the cost.

NASTYZEN said:
Looking forward to follow your build. You may want to check out the cnc zone for some help.

http://www.cnczone.com/
Click to expand...

I registered on CNCzone and I'm sure I will be posting up there once I get rolling with the build. I'm somewhat savvy on the computer, but I'm sure there will be issues. I think this will be a good learning experience. I feel like I have read everything a million times trying to plan, but I finally just had to bite the bullet and order. I have a friend that owns a CNC wood shop that can come help me out getting it running.
 
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kazlx

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I've read about the pros and cons. Servo motors definitely seem to be the upgrade, however, nothing mechanical is ever without fault. There's a laundry list of comparisons between the two, with steppers being a fraction of the cost and that works for me on this. I would have no problem building a nicer table if it is worth it down the road. I fully intend to use this to make some extra cash, hence why I went with a 4x8 instead of a smaller setup.
 
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alan_3301

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Congratulations, it's a great hobby, and potential money maker.
I joined this site for info on running electrical to my shed to house my 4x4 cnc router. With that kit you could always put a router on it if you wanted, and there are so many other uses. You could have a pen mount and draw pictures or diagrams, or a diamond tip bit for engraving metal and scoring glass.
I've no experience with the products you listed, but I see the CandCNC kit uses gecko stepper drivers which are the best in my opinion.
 
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SM Racing

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I think Dynatorch is the only one using servo motors on reasonably priced machines. The owner can really explain the differences in steppers and servos. I am inclined to look for servo drives on any plasma table I am looking for. Based on the issues with steppers, it doesn't seem economical to use them in the long run.

Let us know how well yours works out. Can your new system do torch height control?
 
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kazlx

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There are tons of tables that use stepper motors and cut perfectly well. Personally, from I have read, it's servos with quite few other things that all add up to the more expensive and accurate machines, likes slides, gantry etc.

I did get a height control. That is probably the biggest reason I bought this setup. It's well priced. The entire control and gantry system with the height control for the 4x8 table is less than what a bare 4x4 table would be. I'm building for roughly half of what a turn key table would cost for the same size. I don't want to have to sit and babysit the table while it runs. I think having to watch the table without height control kind of defeats the automation process.
 
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Southernbuild

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I look forward to following your build. I'm hoping to do be able to build something similar in a year or so, so it will be great to get some ideas from your project.
 
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kazlx

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I opened an account at IMS (local metal supply) and they sent me a 15% off coupon....so that will be nice.
 
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purplezr2

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Watching with this, I'm not far from the place you bought the stuff from, I plan to get a plasma table at some point as I have Powermax 65 Hypertherm Plasma.
 
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bullnerd

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Sound like you actually have a pretty good idea what your doing.

I will be following also, even though I've read every thread in site on CNC plasmas.
 
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Jason Lister

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Make sure to join the email list for CandCNC. Tom is very helpful when you get stuck.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CandCNCSupport/

We have a Bulltear 4x8 table and are up and running, reliably. It took us about 2 months to get dialed in with our setup, but now we have it mostly down.

Also, ArcLightCNC has some good videos to watch about Mach3 and sheetcam.
http://arclightcnc.com/training.html

Good luck. I'll follow along too and help if I can.
 
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kazlx

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This followed me home at lunch today. Traded my Powermax 30 plus some cash for it. Now I just need a machine torch.

65595_10151597863629168_1475368191_n.jpg
 
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waggie

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hey man, let me know if you need any help. I have no idea what i'm doing either, so we'll be a blind leading a blind :lol_hitti
 
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ed_v

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Awesome!! I'm so looking forward to following this thread.

I am getting a table as well, sometime down the road. I can't decide if I want to go with a Torchmate table or build one myself. I think I'll watch your thread to help me decide.

Ed
 
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kazlx

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Jason Lister said:
Torchmate isnt the only vendor for turnkey tables.... just sayin'
Click to expand...


Turnkey tables are all in the same ball park price wise. I'm still going to build a table for approximately half of what it would cost me to buy a turnkey. For example, an arclight table is $13500 with a Powermax 65, plus I would still have to have it shipped. I'm sure there are some cheaper options, but you get what you pay for. There's a company called Lightning (I think) that is local, but they look janky as hell. I'm wary of places where the major sales points are ebay and craigslist that have a questionable looking website. Plus, the one or two reviews I found weren't very flattering....


I just ordered all the steel for the table this morning. I have it scheduled to pick up next Friday. I'm having the supplier cut almost everything to length besides some small pieces and the slats. I think it was an extra $40 or so, which is worth it, since it should save me a couple hours.
 
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Jason Lister

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kazlx... my reply was in response to ed_v. I have no idea what his fab skills are. I went with a gantry kit as well and built my own, custom table with racks and storage.
 
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kazlx

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Jason Lister said:
kazlx... my reply was in response to ed_v. I have no idea what his fab skills are. I went with a gantry kit as well and built my own, custom table with racks and storage.
Click to expand...

No worries....and that's definitely true. While I read that Torchmate has great customer service, I also read that most of their stuff is proprietary, meaning if you need something, you have to get it from them.

As of right now (from Trick Tools.com) the 4x4' Torchmate table is 7826.50 plus (3203.95, Holy $@#$) for the height control. So that's 11 grand without a cutter or a computer, for just a 4x4.

FWIW, there are quite a few 'kits' it seems like that basically buy the CandCNC packages to re-sell with their (or someone elses mechanicals). Unless you are close enough to pick up a table, I have a hard time swallowing paying someone else to build a metal frame and ship it to me when I can build it myself. That's a lot of coin just for shipping. Of course I guess you can't assume someone that's buying a plasma table can build a frame that's straight and square...
 
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kazlx

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Awesome. I read that whole thread. I laughed when the first thing he said is that he wished he got a bigger table. I plan on adding the plate marker once the machine is running. He also looks like he is doing a good sales job. I think creativity is 90% of selling your stuff. When you read the forums there are so many guys that don't even tap a fraction of the potential of the machine. IMO to cut out basic 2D signs all day is a waste...
 
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NASTYZEN

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Crashing! I hate that cnc word! I guess a torch travels much faster than a mill. If you crash a torch at 60 or 100ipm. I guess you could easily write it off...
Crashing BAD!!:D
 
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kazlx

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SM Racing said:
What happens to the torch head if you accidentally crash it? Is it set up on a breakaway mounting system or something?
Click to expand...

There are places that sell breakaway torch mounts. I was planning on building/buying something.
 
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ilovevocs

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I it crashes then it was a programming error. Since your basically cutting flat sheets it wouldn't be difficult to review the g code for height compliance prior to running. I have crashed my fair share of mills and routers in my day. I milled allot of foam before milling metals, and even at that if I didn't have confidence in my code would prototype a light material like foam or wax before running the final part. Just turn it up and let it eat.


Nasty, it's odd to hear you say you hate it. I used to have access to a well equipped Cnc shop, but don't any more. I'm back in the Stone Age turning dials again and I hate it because it take multiple setups to complete what would be simple operations on a CNC.
 
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