plasma cutting table

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Does anybody have a plasma cutting table set up at home? If so, what size, brand and what plasma system. I'm interested in setting one of these up at home down the road but the only ones I'm familiar with are in large fab shops and I don't want that big of a set up cost wise. Thanks, Randy
Reply:I have a PlasmaCam DHC2, 4' x 4' cutting area with a Hypertherm Powermax45 air plasma system. It does a great job on thin gauge through 1/2".....if I need to cut thicker I put my Powermax1000 plasma on the machine.Jim
Reply:Other table brands to look at are:TorchMateDynaTorchTrackerCNCJim
Reply:Yeah I would love to have Jim plasmacam in my farm shop!! He has posted some great pictures of his table setup and his shop as well as some of the stuff he had done.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Torchmate is getting ready to ship a lower cost, what looks like a quality 2x2 table for home shop use.  Base model is $1995 and includes the Torchmate driver and machine or hand torch attachements are available.I hear they start shipping this week.http://www.torchmate.com/torchmate2x...typing_sy.htmlThe thread at Pirate about the building and pricing of it.http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...827864&page=12
Reply:That is a nice little basic x y machine.....there is no material support and also no torch mount or torch height control.....necessary for best quality and consumable life.Jim
Reply:Yep, that was the trade off for getting the unit under 5 grand.  The Torchmate guy talks about designing it and hitting a specific price point throughout that thread.  Just for grins I looked and shipped with a a hand torch adapter I was quoted $2410.  They say they are in the process of giving away plans for a suitable water table based on some of the bigger designs.  I don't have the room or need right now but if I went that way it's more attractive to me due to price.  I wouldn't get a larger unit as I couldn't justify it.
Reply:Should be a good starter cnc machine....it, like all of the new Torchmate machines...appears well designed. Personally I would not have a machine without a full functioning height control system......on materials thicker than 3/16" you need a pierce height (2 x the cut height) , a pierce delay (to get through the plate with no x and y moves) and then need to index to the cut height (typically .060" plus or minus about .010").....You can't do this quick enough or accurately enough by eye hand coordination....and the result is dross, bad angularity, and extremely short torch consumable life. You can cut without a height control.....but no where near as well. Torchmate has a nice height control for that unit...but it about doubles the price!Jim
Reply:Here is a link to a good article in reference to torch height control...http://www.centricut.com/New_Lessons/lessons_10.html Jim
Reply:It may be a bit small for anything but home/hobby.  Some are asking if they can zero the machine then reset it for cutting larger pieces.  I would think that is too much dinking with it for production and would be suited for a bigger unit.  With a successful business an investment of 10-20k isn't out of line for a larger tool.  It pays for itself.   The new unit seems like a good place to start as long as the expectations aren't that of a production machine and they don't seem to be overstating it like some of the less expensive tool guys do.The other interesting thing to me was the effect the downmarket gear has had on pricing perceptions.  When Bill was asking how much it should be the most popular answer was a grand or under.
Reply:I have a homemade one 5x5 that I put together using the robotics out of a few large tape libraries (used in hospitals etc for databackup) from the 90's.  I put some steppers from CandCNC on it and built the table and supports.  It works well and has THC.Torchmate makes a good table and sticks around after the sale for techsupport.  There is a little new company making tables now that get their electronics and THC from CandCNC and its BullTear.  They make a complete 2x3 for 3200 including THC.. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=850823 The thing I like about it is it uses 100% off the shelf electronic parts you can get from somebody else besides bulltear if something did happen to them. It also uses common software like Mach3, SheetCam and whatever CAD program you want.