Today a dream came true. For about two years now I’ve been planning, comparing, procrastinating… but today my new CNC Plasma Cutting machine arrived.
After comparing a wide variety of machines including DynaCNC, PlasmaCAM, Practical CNC, TorchMate, Dynatorch, and MultiCam, I settled on the PlasmaCAM for the following reasons:
The machine breaks down and ships in a container approximately 5′ x 2′ x 2′. Although it weighs 380 lbs, they shipped it to a Dallas distribution center from Denver for under $250. It arrived in less than 48 hours and I took my trailer to the distribution facility where they loaded it for me. Once home, I was able to uncrate it and move the parts into my garage for assembly by myself.
PlasmaCAM is the 900lb Gorilla in the “hobby” CNC plasma cutting market. They have a huge installed user base, and there are many people who are quite active on the Yahoo groups PlasmaCAM Users Group and PlasmaCAM Technical Forum.- The control software is supposed to be some of the easiest around to use. And although I’m an expert users the last thing I want is another software learning curve.
The machine will work perfectly with my Hypertherm 1000 plasma cutter with the handheld torch.
There are a few drawbacks.
- This machine is not as big as I’d like. But then again, some of the larger machines weigh over 700lbs and their shipping weight is 1600 lbs. Rather difficult to move without a forklift handy.
- This machine does not natively support a routing head, which I would have really liked to have.
Still, I intend to work this beast like crazy and already have designs I’ve been waiting for a year to cut.
Here is the initial table setup process in a nutshell. First I must say that the setup DVD that comes with the machine is possibly the best instruction manual I’ve ever encountered. I took my laptop to the garage and watched the DVD as I completed the install. It took me a total of 3 hours from crate to completion, and I did it by myself in 100 degree heat.
The crating was amazingly efficient and extremely solid. They thought of everything! They even used different colored screws so that you could easily tell which ones to unscrew while uncrating. Now, the video talked about how to uncrate the machine, but it was packed in the crate so by the time you see that you’ve probably already taken everything out. No matter, it was very intuitive.
The video walked you through every step of the assembly.
First, you build the frame which holds the material support slats.- Then you loosely bolt on the legs and flip the table over.
- The material support slats are then inserted into the table frame.
- The video instructs you how, and which bolts to tighten as you begin to firm things up.
- Next the gantry rails go on, and the gantry slide into the rails and is bolted in place.
- The cable swing arm is installed (which will keep the cables out of the cutting heads way)
- Then the torch head holder connects to the gantry.
Finally, everything is tightened up and checked for clearances.
My machine went together very smoothly and easily (keeping in mind that I am a skilled worker). In fact, it was much better than I expected.
Now, I’m not done yet. Next I have to build a computer and a mobile stand so that I can move my PC which will control the machine in between my office and the garage. After the PlasmaCAM PC is ready, I’ll hook it to the machine and run through some sort of set up diagnostics… and then I need to do some special wiring to hook up this machine to my Plasma Torch so that the machine can tell it when to turn on and off.
Stay tuned to see how things go as the saga continues. And don’t worry; once the machine is fully operational I’ll be posting demonstration videos of it in all it’s glory. (I feel like the emperor talking about the completion of the Death Star!)
Edit: I also added a review of the PlasmaCAM sales video which many people have found useful for seperating fact from fiction.
Hello-
I was wondering what the system cost you??/
Thanks
Tom
Well, the table alone was about $9,500. But the torch was another $2,000, plus a PC to run it. You also need a large air compressor ($1,000), an air dryer ($300) and other miscellaneous stuff. All in all it was around $15,000.
John
What are you going to make? Looks like fun!
Hey I’ve been looking for someone who uses a plazma cam to cut out some templates. I model custom cars in 1/8th scale and am curious to see if the plazma cam can be an asset. know any one willing to do small patterns for a reasonable price?
Bill,
Do you have the patterns you need cut already digitized in CAD, Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw?
What type and thickness of material do you need them cut out of?
How many pieces do you need cut and from what are the relative sizes?
Feel free to respond with this data here, and you may also want to post it on the PlasmaCAM groups I listed previously in the article.
John
Yes I have the patterns in dxf format. The largest pattern will be 7 X 10 in max, and there are approximately 40 of them. Thickness is not a critical dimension although I would want all the patterns to be made on the same thickness material. 20 mil should be plenty although I’m looking for something bendable with my hands and smooth. so If it is thinner no prob.
Thanks for offering your help BTW! I hadn’t had any luck with getting this done till now.
BC
The plasma cam was a better choice than the dynacnc . I did lot of research in buying a table and there is lot of unhappy customers on other forums with dyna cnc poor customer service and quality.
Good luck with the table you will love it.
how much can you charge a customer for plasma cam cuts?
That question is literally impossible to answer. For so many reasons…
Although this machine is durable and can be used every day I would NOT consider it appropriate for a job-shop type of machine. If your intention is to cut parts for people you are going to need to cut LOTS of them to make money and a little 4′x4′ table isn’t going to do it.
If you just want to cut a few parts in the machines spare time for friends and acquaintances then you probably aren’t going to really sit down and do the hard math to determine your exact cost per hour plus margin. Just make up a number and cut the parts. It’s not going to pay for it’s self this way though…
John
Hi John,
Brian from California here long time no posting for me, trust me I HAVE BEEN BUSY!! My Pop and I are oh so close to start manufacturing the “Tug Tool” at my Pop’s place up in WA. State. (Me being in CA makes it a little tough, but we are making it happen!!)
Thanks for all the help and advice so far.
I am in the process of dialing in the “Marking of the Tools” and getting the tumbling process in ship shape. (boy this sure has been a long, interesting and enlightening road!!!)
John, would you happen to know what media would work best for tumbling/rounding the edges for 304 stainless steel. Let me take one step back, I have checked into purchasing media and that was an unexpected rather large expense for what we need. (As I stand here with empty pockets!!) Is there anything you know of that I can use in the interim to get me started.
FYI: the table is setup, the PC and plasma cutter (almost dialed in) compressor and air dryer purchased. Just working on Fabing the tumbler tables that tilt to lesson the strain on my Pop’s back. We are using 55 gallon drums on rollers from a conveyor belt that used to be in operation at a log yard!!
Boy this fabing and creating stuff with what you have laying around is fun and did I mention cost effective!!!
And if I may send a shout out to Ron in WA State, My Pop is in Port Angeles, maybe you 2 can get together and help each other with any issues. Let me know and I will put you guys in touch.
A HUGE THANK YOU again for ALL your help John, you have been a tremendous help in making this a successful venture so far. Hopefully, it will continue for years to come!!!
Take care and Best Wishes
Brian