Plasmacam,Torchmate,others....

[caper150]

Been thinking on getting one of these for the shop, anyone know much about these, anyother brands out there. Looking at artistic adventures for this, tables, signs and such. Looking for any others out there and their ease of use. Budget is 3-4G.

 

[Dugan]

Go hypertherm and never look back

 

[A**holes Garage]

Go hypertherm and never look back

http://precisionplasmallc.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page7.html

 

[BMB]

If your looking for a plasma table I don't think your going to find much in your budget.

You might luck out and find something used in that range, but I would think it would be a pretty small chance.

The only thing I can think of you might get for 3-4K is a Torchmate 2x2 and that would be a pretty basic one.

Bulltear and Precision Plasma both have 4x4 offerings starting in the 6k range.

 

[redsand187]

There is lightningcnc.com they seem to have some affordable machines. I don't know anything else about them or ever seen one in person.

 

[stafford]

A friend of mine has a plasmacam and it was about 5G plus the plasma cutter. it's a 4 x 4. pretty neat rig but expensive.

 

[jimcolt]

PlasmaCam makes a 2 x 2 unit that is basically stripped (as compared to its larger units. It has a motorized z axis, but no torch height control (operate it manual with a switch) and has no CAD drawing software. Needs a table with slats and a fume control system....you can import parts in .dxf format (from most CAD programs) and cut. This unit is called Go Torch (www.gotorch.com) and is priced at around $3k. You can upgrade to height control, advanced CAD software and advanced machine control (I recommend it all) and the price will be in the $7k range.

Torchmate also has a 2 x 2 stripped machine in the $3500 range. No motorized z axis, no slats, needs a table and fume control. Imports .dxf files similar to the PlasmaCam. If you add the height control and software you will be in the $8k range.

These are the two big sellers in the industry. You can go to www.candcnc.com and look at their electronics, drives, motors, torch height control, software and cable offerings...and build your own machine. This method will get you into a 4 by 4 machine with all the best features for less than about $5k.

You can also buy a machine frame from www.precisionplasmallc.com and bolt up the candcnc components and be cutting with a 2 x 2 or 4 x 4 for under $6k.

There are a lot of low cost finds online.....issues there are very little support and hard to find parts, etc.

4x4 machine equipped with good software and height control will start in the $12k range.....without plasma and fume control.

20 years ago you could not buy a cnc plasma for less than $40k. The above prices are the result of breakthroughs with software for motion control that allow the use of a PC or Laptop as the cnc control for plasma cutting...as well as the development of non high frequency start plasma cutters (thanks Hypertherm!)

Attached are pictures of a 2 x 2 Go Torch.....it is just the top of this machine...the base is a fume control unit, slat bed that eliminates the smoke and fumes from cutting. This one also has been upgraded with the advanced software, machine control and height control.

Jim Colt

Been thinking on getting one of these for the shop, anyone know much about these, anyother brands out there. Looking at artistic adventures for this, tables, signs and such. Looking for any others out there and their ease of use. Budget is 3-4G.

 

[caper150]

http://precisionplasmallc.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page7.html

PlasmaCam makes a 2 x 2 unit that is basically stripped (as compared to its larger units. It has a motorized z axis, but no torch height control (operate it manual with a switch) and has no CAD drawing software. Needs a table with slats and a fume control system....you can import parts in .dxf format (from most CAD programs) and cut. This unit is called Go Torch (www.gotorch.com) and is priced at around $3k. You can upgrade to height control, advanced CAD software and advanced machine control (I recommend it all) and the price will be in the $7k range.

Torchmate also has a 2 x 2 stripped machine in the $3500 range. No motorized z axis, no slats, needs a table and fume control. Imports .dxf files similar to the PlasmaCam. If you add the height control and software you will be in the $8k range.

These are the two big sellers in the industry. You can go to www.candcnc.com and look at their electronics, drives, motors, torch height control, software and cable offerings...and build your own machine. This method will get you into a 4 by 4 machine with all the best features for less than about $5k.

You can also buy a machine frame from www.precisionplasmallc.com and bolt up the candcnc components and be cutting with a 2 x 2 or 4 x 4 for under $6k.

There are a lot of low cost finds online.....issues there are very little support and hard to find parts, etc.

4x4 machine equipped with good software and height control will start in the $12k range.....without plasma and fume control.

20 years ago you could not buy a cnc plasma for less than $40k. The above prices are the result of breakthroughs with software for motion control that allow the use of a PC or Laptop as the cnc control for plasma cutting...as well as the development of non high frequency start plasma cutters (thanks Hypertherm!)

Attached are pictures of a 2 x 2 Go Torch.....it is just the top of this machine...the base is a fume control unit, slat bed that eliminates the smoke and fumes from cutting. This one also has been upgraded with the advanced software, machine control and height control.

Jim Colt

Thanks guys both are good info, I'll be checking into all. I may have a line on a 2X2 torchmate used.

 

[cnc-me]

Go hypertherm and never look back

Don't buy a Miller like I did.
A great power supply is no good, if you don't have a torch that will stand the gaff.
It's all in the torch and consumables with a plasma, wish I would have known
this before, buying my big blue boat anchor.

PS - Might be hijacking here, but has anyone grafted a Hypertherm torch to
a Miller. I think I already know what Jim is going to say. "Hypertherm torches are only
engineered to work with Hypertherm power supplies" ect. bla bla.
Oh well just a shot, to see if someone had actually done it.

 

[kazlx]

Very happy with my Precision Plasma/CandCNC build. Mine is a 4x8, but you can check the build thread for some info. I think it's the best bang for the buck setup out there. There are plenty of turn key options, but nowhere near your budget.

 

[paranoid56]

I had a torchmate 2x4 that worked great. one thing to mention is that they had the best customer service ever. anytime i had an issue i could email or call and i would have an answer. they also have a great section on pirate4x4 if you need help. I ended up selling it, as i was using it more as a router table and not a plasma and it only works good for that, not great.