I am building a TM3 8' by 20', and I would like to ask to the forum what do I need to setup a shop?

So u are starting a new shop :)

Good ideea to start with a big plasma table.

I started my shop without any experience in fabricating/welding, i just rent a place and baught all the machines i thot i would need, too many and some useless or junk .

There are a few simple rules. "u get what u pay for", "bigger is better" (when it aplies) and u should know how evrithing works in your shop and how long a job takes and don't expect workers to be as carefull with machinery as you are.

If i could start again my investment would cut in half.
The must haves are in my opinion in the order of importance : ac/dc Tig welder, bandsaw (industrial one with ~inch blade ), bench drill/mill,good bench grinder, few angle grinders, all the hand tools possible, maybe a lathe.
(a cnc mandrel tube bender would be nice)

Save some money to advertise your shop,a web page is a must, don't expect costumers to show up like at Mcdonalds

Then comes the worker problem, u can't just buy good employees u need to find them nobody can help u with that.


One more thing , u need a plasma torch longer then 25 feet.

Best of luck and get many customers.

p.s. u will go bald and get grey hair :)

What are your intentions?Do you just want to run the plasma table?Then you can get away with an air compressor,angle grinder and a good workbench.Want to fabricate?If you only want to work with steel then add a good MIG welder,good bench grinder,hydraulic press,couple of drills cordless and corded,drill press ,floor type belt/disc sander,vice ,at least a horizontal bandsaw with roller tables at both ends and an assortment of clamps. If you want to work with stainless steel or aluminum add a Tig welder to the list along with alot of practice.
And of course a cold saw would be nice,a lathe,a milling machine,press brake,metal brake etc etc etc etc.
All depends how far you want to take it and how much dedication you want to give learning how to use everything.

Thanks all for your replies, but I do not think I want to do any welding, just do cutting on different materials with the CNC plasma table. I think it gets very complicated very quickly when you start adding all the equipment that comes with welding steel, alu, copper, SS, etc.