CNC Plasma Torches

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Does anyone have any info on CNC plasma torches like the PlasmaCam or the TorchMate? I wanted to see in this was a quality product to spend my hard earned $$$$ on. Any info would be appreciated, Thanks.Rangerod
Reply:i've seen them on ebay before but have never had any experience with them though..
Reply:I have the plasmacam machine- great machine terrible people to deal with, a complete pain in the arse- their people skills rate a zero. I've heard these same comments from others as well. I am currently looking to upgrade to a torchmate, not as flashy in the advertising dept, but appears to be a much better system, just waiting to see how the software compares.Keep your stick on the ice
Reply:dob, what model do you have of the plasmacam?Also what makes a torchmate a better machine?I am looking at both of them,and getting more confused all the time!!
Reply:Hey dob, been lookin at both companies for a while now. can't decide the way I want to go. I have concerns about torchmates programs (not alot of info out there) and plasmacams drive systems(motors belt etc. Is the plasmacam as easy to operate and program as it is supposed to be? How has yours held up? Do you have the newervoltage control model? Why do you feel the torchmate is a upgrade? Sorry for all the questions. Any help is greatly appreaciated(sp)Still lookin for Rock!
Reply:I have the older model, - no digital height control. so as the plate warps the gantry has a tendency to run into the plate, wiping out the belt and throwing whatever you were cutting out of whack. Most of the complaints I had about the machine seem to have been addressed with the new dhc model. The software does work well once you get going, takes a bit of fiddling though.   Torchmates machine does seem to be a much better built machine, with all the extruded alum. components and gear drives, they also have digital height control. The advantage the torchmate has over plasmacam is the bigger cutting area as well as the ability to easily add a router or drill and such. The coolest feature is the ability to cut pipe on the machine.   Iguess they both have there adv. over each other. all depends on what you want to do with it I guess. what are you thinking of doing with it? that will help me give a little better advice. And like I said before their personal skills rate a zero and have left a bad taste in my mouth still to this day.Keep your stick on the ice
Reply:dob, I mainly want to cut artistic pieces but also have the ability of cutting structural pieces such as base plates and gussets. My main concern about either set-up is how well the software works. The rest is motors and drivers that I can undersand a little. But software is a whole different story. Leaning towards the torchmate looks like a stronger table since you can build it yourself . Talked to a torchmate owner last night, he said customer service was excellent, though he did have a few problems with software but said they corrected that with no problems and were very helpful. What do you think? I really like the idea of saving a few dollars in order to build some of it myself.Still lookin for Rock!
Reply:i've been looking at the new extruded aluminium table from torchmate, where you just have to bolt it together. the plasma cam table goes together real well too- couple of hours.  I haven't tried the torchmate software yet, but i already have the plasmacam software and it will run the torchmate table if i don.t like their's.  where do you liveKeep your stick on the ice
Reply:Just east of Ok City. Are you in OK?Still lookin for Rock!
Reply:No I'm in Calgary Canada. My suggestion to you is  to find a market for your stuff before you spend your cash. Do your homeworkKeep your stick on the ice
Reply:Thanks for the advice I've got a few unique ideas that I feel will be worth trying.Still lookin for Rock!
Reply:maybe find someone who has a similiar machine and get them to cut it for you to try it out, try and create a little bit of a market for it first. Not trying to be negative but it takes a while for people to find out what you got, so try and get things rolling early. I could try cutting things for you but the shipping might be to much. Maybe pm me with your ideas, maybe i'll have some insightKeep your stick on the ice
Reply:I guess another thing to consider if thinking of buying a cnc machine is ventilation. you don't realize how dirty it is. We've all plasma cut by hand, and not thought much about it, but when you start cutting at 50" a minute uninterupted for 15 minutes, look out. It takes quite an exhaust system to get rid of all that yuck. just something to think aboutKeep your stick on the ice
Reply:real familiar with the issue of ventilation I sometimes run a cybermation cnc plasma at work so I know all too well. Have used that one from time to time to cut out ideas plus I'm sure I'll use it in my fab. buisiness too. thanksStill lookin for Rock!
Reply:what sort of ventilation do they run at the other shop, i'm always looking for newer and better ideas, your right about the fabbin part proved to be most valuable, always cutting some sort of little bracket or gusset. use it at least once a day for little piecesKeep your stick on the ice
Reply:have to get back with you on the specifics on the vent. check it out tomorrow. Basically its in its own enclosed room with the bank of filters all the way up one wall work real wellStill lookin for Rock!
Reply:I recently purchased the Torchmate 3. I have done alot of research on all the available cnc's. Torchmate is the better choice for the fact as stated earlier you can attach a router, drill, mig, tube notcher, oxy/acetylene, and laser. All can be added to this machine easily. I have put it together and am just waiting on my computer so I can get it up and running. If anyone else has a Torchmate let me know. Maybe we can help one another out with some tips and tricks. Also, I have been in the process of constructing a watertable for it. This will eliminate the fumes(smoke) and benefit when switching back and forth from wood. NO FIRES!!!!Last edited by Dego; 04-27-2004 at 08:47 PM.
Reply:Does anyone have an ESAB CNC system?Get it hot and hit it hard...
Reply:Dego, I am in the process of putting together the Torchmate kit I just bought. Would be real interested in talking to you about the programs and any tips you could give me.Still lookin for Rock!