CNC Plasma Cutter Suggestion

[madduramax]

Looking to speed up fabrication of chassis brackets, flanges, etc in our shop and it seems that automating our existing Hyoertherm plasma cutter would be the most profitable shop upgrade we could make. Anyone on this board have any experience with Torchmate CNC plasma cutters, CNC cutting systems, CNC plasma tables, and CNC Routers. economy kits or CNC Plasma Cutters, Plasma Cutters, CNC Plasma Tables. plasma cutting kits?
I have been following some table builds on CNC Plasma Cutters Resource Site, DXF Art for CNC Plasma, Clip Art for Cutting • Index page but I think that it would be wiser to spend a few more bucks on something thats already had the bugs worked out. Anybody have any helpful suggestions?

 

[PAToyota]

Very happy Torchmate owner here. Quality product and I'd wager that their customer service is second to none.

 

[jimcolt]

I own a PlasmaCam. Bolt it together, connect four wires to your plasma (Hypertherm preferred), plug in an old pentium computer, and start cnc cutting. The PlasmaCam software is very easy to learn.....you can draw with it and start cutting right away. This machine also comes with a fully integrated torch height control system that finds the surface of the plate before every cut, then follows even badly warped plate....making plasma consumable life and cut quality even better. I use mine often in my home shop......I understand that TorchMate, BullTear, Dynatorch and others are very nice as well....just make sure the system you choose to buy has a full featured torch height control. Without it, the plasma will not perform well.

Jim

 

[Walton]

I kick myself for not buying a brand new Torchmate system including Hypertherm plasma cutter at the state auction for $5,000 a year ago.

 

[eleblanc]

Get a high definition, but seriously There are so Many shop with hightech equipment looking for more work. I quit using our in house plasma and sub most of it out. We use our in house plasma to cut part not needing precision, (parts that will be welded), a good table is close to 100k

 

[jimcolt]

The PlasmaCam table, 4' x 4' is less than $10k. Torchmate now produces a 2' x 2' machine for less than $2k. You don't have to spend $100k to do cnc plasma unless you need high precision and high productivity. These small machines will hold tolerances in the .015" to .020" range, are very easy to learn and use. Put a Hypertherm plasma on them and you have a great unit!

Jim