Comments on: PlasmaCAM – Part 1 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/ Specialization is for Insects. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:07:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Shaun Myers http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-49275 Shaun Myers Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:23:30 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-49275 Ive' been a user for 5yrs. just upgradded to the 5x10 I wiork in a structural steel facility and we made our own table first the outer two have rollers, the work table is made of angles and square tubing all vertically adjustable. With this setup you can do 12x12 square tubing for street lights and the such I have the freedom to do anything I want and have made a million adjustments to this machine I feel you made a wise decision in you purchase however make a better table that is adjustable and the world is at your finger tips.... Shaun Ive’ been a user for 5yrs. just upgradded to the 5×10 I wiork in a structural steel facility and we made our own table first the outer two have rollers, the work table is made of angles and square tubing all vertically adjustable. With this setup you can do 12×12 square tubing for street lights and the such I have the freedom to do anything I want and have made a million adjustments to this machine I feel you made a wise decision in you purchase however make a better table that is adjustable and the world is at your finger tips…. Shaun

]]> By: Brian http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-46352 Brian Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:43:17 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-46352 John. . . Brian again!! Just wanted to let you know that we worked out the tumbling media issue. We are using porcelain tile!! We just could not afford the commercially sold media. . . and after much trial and error I found that porcelain tile did exactly what we needed it to do!!! The best part is that it is not that expensive and it lasts a very, very long time!!! Take care Brian John. . . Brian again!! Just wanted to let you know that we worked out the tumbling media issue. We are using porcelain tile!! We just could not afford the commercially sold media. . . and after much trial and error I found that porcelain tile did exactly what we needed it to do!!! The best part is that it is not that expensive and it lasts a very, very long time!!!

Take care
Brian

]]> By: GiantTechGuy http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-45523 GiantTechGuy Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:57:01 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-45523 Connor, You might be interested in a SteelTailor. Do a google search and see what you think. Connor, You might be interested in a SteelTailor. Do a google search and see what you think.

]]> By: habib http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-44767 habib Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:44:20 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-44767 Hi fouad you need to check a couple of points: 1-your amps might be low 2-or you r using too large of a nozle for the thickness 3- Tip is too hi off the work piece I have set up a table for each thickness and material type this is a must. do some trials and record the best setting our best nozzle is a 75amp it works best between 5and 15mm steel, we vary the amps and speed good luck Habib Hi fouad
you need to check a couple of points:
1-your amps might be low
2-or you r using too large of a nozle for the thickness
3- Tip is too hi off the work piece
I have set up a table for each thickness and material type
this is a must.
do some trials and record the best setting
our best nozzle is a 75amp it works best between 5and 15mm steel, we vary the amps and speed
good luck
Habib

]]> By: fouad http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-39767 fouad Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:38:12 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-39767 HI, people I need help from any one worked with this PlasmaCam machine I called the PlasmaCam support I did not get the help I need My problem is “after I setup the machine computer, software, large air compressor and the torch miller spectrum 625 I m getting problem in the cut after cutting steel or aluminum the KERF WIDHT is too large of what we need and what we saw in the plasmacam video ” do I need to change this torch ?? I missing something ?? I will appreciate any help in how to make the resolution of the cut better Thank you HI, people I need help from any one worked with this PlasmaCam machine
I called the PlasmaCam support I did not get the help I need

My problem is
“after I setup the machine computer, software, large air compressor and the torch miller spectrum 625 I m getting problem in the cut after cutting steel or aluminum the KERF WIDHT is too large of what we need and what we saw in the plasmacam video ”
do I need to change this torch ?? I missing something ??
I will appreciate any help in how to make the resolution of the cut better

Thank you

]]> By: Zoe http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-38023 Zoe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:43:31 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-38023 Hey, I heard their tech support isn't the greatest. Then again, I emailed torchmate a gazillion times and have yet to hear from them for even a priced out system. I just saw a company with a red table on another post www.cnccuttingmachines.com and their table looks much better to the eye anyway. Anyone heard of them? CNC Cutting Machines? Their table is red with chrome plating and they told me they give me 2 days onsite tech support to get things running for their 4x8 tables and bigger. They also said their table is complete turnkey and their is nothing to program or setup when it gets delivered, but why would I need the tech then? Is the software hard to learn on these tables? They say industrial table, but can an average joe run it? That would be me. thanks in advance. Hey, I heard their tech support isn’t the greatest. Then again, I emailed torchmate a gazillion times and have yet to hear from them for even a priced out system. I just saw a company with a red table on another post http://www.cnccuttingmachines.com and their table looks much better to the eye anyway. Anyone heard of them? CNC Cutting Machines? Their table is red with chrome plating and they told me they give me 2 days onsite tech support to get things running for their 4×8 tables and bigger. They also said their table is complete turnkey and their is nothing to program or setup when it gets delivered, but why would I need the tech then? Is the software hard to learn on these tables? They say industrial table, but can an average joe run it? That would be me. thanks in advance.

]]> By: Conor http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-36854 Conor Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:26:21 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-36854 Dave, thanks for the comment. Small world - I'm in Manchester too. I'm really frustrated - been trying to get in touch with PlasmaCam from here and using a colleague in South America. I really want one of these for private use but my company supplies workshop and fabrication gear. Seems PlasmaCam doesn't want to know about either! Get in touch if you fancy a chat about any decent alternatives. contact@blackrockhire.co.uk Dave, thanks for the comment. Small world – I’m in Manchester too. I’m really frustrated – been trying to get in touch with PlasmaCam from here and using a colleague in South America. I really want one of these for private use but my company supplies workshop and fabrication gear. Seems PlasmaCam doesn’t want to know about either!

Get in touch if you fancy a chat about any decent alternatives. contact@blackrockhire.co.uk

]]> By: Dave http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-35851 Dave Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:26:59 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-35851 Hi Conor Im in similar position as you (live in UK Greater Manchester area & looking for a good machine,dont know if this Torchmate one thats currently on Ebay is what your after? or of any interest to you. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120225120821&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002 Its a pity British engineering hasnt kept pace with the rest of the world,there certainly much more choice in the States in regards to all types of tooling. Best of luck Dave. Hi Conor Im in similar position as you (live in UK Greater Manchester area & looking for a good machine,dont know if this Torchmate one thats currently on Ebay is what your after? or of any interest to you.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120225120821&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

Its a pity British engineering hasnt kept pace with the rest of the world,there certainly much more choice in the States in regards to all types of tooling.

Best of luck
Dave.

]]> By: Conor http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-34693 Conor Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:02:22 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-34693 Hey all, Don't know how active this thread is, but I could really do with some buying advice about a cutting table - We've got our eye on the PlasmaCAM, but I know there are other good products around. One of my problems is that we're in the UK and there's really nothing here that can match the sortf of products you guys can get hold of! If anyone can help out decision, it'd be great to hear from you. Thanks a lot, Conor Hey all,

Don’t know how active this thread is, but I could really do with some buying advice about a cutting table – We’ve got our eye on the PlasmaCAM, but I know there are other good products around.

One of my problems is that we’re in the UK and there’s really nothing here that can match the sortf of products you guys can get hold of!

If anyone can help out decision, it’d be great to hear from you.

Thanks a lot,
Conor

]]> By: youtube http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-10635 youtube Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:36:16 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-10635 thanks for link dude thanks for link dude

]]> By: John P. http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-7731 John P. Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:51:00 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-7731 Brian, I'm glad to hear that things are coming along nicely for you. With regards to your tumbling question, I'm sorry but I don't have much experience in this area. I had a link somewhere that gave a comparison between the different tumbling media, but I can't find it anymore. If you find any resources on line feel free to share them with us. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help with this. John Brian,

I’m glad to hear that things are coming along nicely for you. With regards to your tumbling question, I’m sorry but I don’t have much experience in this area. I had a link somewhere that gave a comparison between the different tumbling media, but I can’t find it anymore.

If you find any resources on line feel free to share them with us. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help with this.

John

]]> By: Brian D. Brackbill http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-7672 Brian D. Brackbill Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:19:08 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-7672 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 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

]]> By: John P. http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-5879 John P. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:06:25 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-5879 That question is literally impossible to answer. For so many reasons... <ul> <li>First of all, it depends on how good of a sales person you are and how much competition you have.</li> <li>It's also dependent on the material and quantity you're cutting. Tons and tons of thick aluminum would be considerably more expensive than a few pieces of thin steel.</li> <li>How detailed of parts are we talking about? And how are they being supplied? There is work involved in making them cut ready but I don't know how much until I see the artwork.</li> <li>I could go on...</li> </ul> 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 That question is literally impossible to answer. For so many reasons…

  • First of all, it depends on how good of a sales person you are and how much competition you have.
  • It’s also dependent on the material and quantity you’re cutting. Tons and tons of thick aluminum would be considerably more expensive than a few pieces of thin steel.
  • How detailed of parts are we talking about? And how are they being supplied? There is work involved in making them cut ready but I don’t know how much until I see the artwork.
  • I could go on…

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

]]> By: russell http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-5878 russell Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:49:20 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-5878 how much can you charge a customer for plasma cam cuts? how much can you charge a customer for plasma cam cuts?

]]> By: Frank http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-4298 Frank Tue, 08 May 2007 18:18:06 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-4298 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. 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.

]]> By: Bill C http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3514 Bill C Fri, 27 Apr 2007 23:04:35 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3514 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 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

]]> By: The Man http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3479 The Man Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:11:30 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3479 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 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

]]> By: Bill C http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3467 Bill C Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:13:30 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-3467 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? 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?

]]> By: Travis http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-1864 Travis Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:43:59 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-1864 What are you going to make? Looks like fun! What are you going to make? Looks like fun!

]]> By: The Man http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-772 The Man Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:17:25 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/08/11/plasmacam-part-1/#comment-772 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 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

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