help - too much dross!

[scorpion]

BossFrog: Hadn't heard about the recommended settings from Dynatorch. Guess that was on the page I skipped in the manual. What do you think about the fine-cut consumables? I've had some people tell me that they last almost as long as standard consumables and others echo what you just said. What's the thinnest material you've cut with them?

Magma-Joe: Ask away. I'm by no means an expert with the Dyna-torch though I do learn much every time the table fires. I have many opinions as I've spent many hours operating a plasma cutting system just waiting for the sheet to finish. According to our schedule I'll be cutting (learning) again all day tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday. Anywho...good luck on building your own table. If I had the time I would have built this last one.

Matt

[bossfrog]

DynaDudes:
Yes, I love the finecut consumables, but I would estimate a 15 - 20 minute cut time lifespan on a $4.50 nozzle, depending on number of pierces. I use Hypertherms settings and it cuts 14ga great!

I built my own table based on Dynatorch plans. I bit the bullet and bought their air table, mainly because I didn't have the time to design/build something else. It does work nice, but waiting to see if there will be a big black stripe of black snow outside this winter - neighbors might not like it much...

The learning curve was very steep for me, having never run a plasma before - too many settings and adjustments. Miss one thing and it doesn't run right. Feel free to ask all the questions you want.

[edwardpic]

Hey Ric,
My Dynatorch arrived today and bolted the dyna table together. Looks like the didnt square the drive side when they built it, now the gantry isnt wide enough and the travel on the gantry is only 6" until it hits the machine bolts that hold the reack on...Arggggggg....Is your gantry air powered as well to keep the drive motor in contact with the gear like this one is? Pretty neat system (ill see when its actually running)
Alot of aligning the slave drive right off the bat, didnt expect to have to do that but oh well right!!
Called them to get a spacer for the slave side of the gantry and the hard stops that didnt get shipped with the table and they are closed to move in their new shop. Lets hope they get with me first thing monday. Also still waiting on the Powermax 1000 to be shipped, it didnt come with the 2 table/gantry boxes. Maybe by mid next week ill be able to try and burn some steel, gonna kill me to have it sitting here right before a weekend and not being able to play!!!!

Ed

[magma-joe]

Ed, What did you use to line up your drive side? I used some piano wire. I searched alot before I found anyone who sold it. The guy was a piano rebuilder. I know of a business nearby that has had a Dynatorch system for 2 years. They run it 5 days a week and about 4 hours a day. The owner said he has had no parts fail and only minor problems. He has 2 employees who run it and they cut the same part day in and day out. It is 28 gage galvanized. He did say the metal is so thin that he has to pierce and start the cut while the torch is moving to keep the arc from going out.

Scorpion, it sounds like your Dynatorch runs in a production enviroment? Do you ever cut aluminum? I have some parts I would like to make from .090 5052 aluminum.

Bossfrog, I have never run a CNC plasma either so I can relate to the learning curve. At the dynatorch website they have a section for "whats new". Seems they are constantly adding new features to their software. When I went for training, their in house Dynatorch table had a speaker system connected to the computor. Before the gantry began to move a voice came over the speaker warning to stay clear. Do any of your systems do that? Thanks...

Magma-joe

[scorpion]

Originally Posted by edwardpic Hey Ric, My Dynatorch arrived today and bolted the dyna table together. Looks like the didnt square the drive side when they built it, now the gantry isnt wide enough and the travel on the gantry is only 6" until it hits the machine bolts that hold the reack on...Arggggggg Ed

Huh...seems as though they have a problem with square. I had two issues with them regarding squareness on my table as well. The linear V-rail and the height control slide. If you stay on them they will resolve all of your problems and once they do, the system will work very well.

Originally Posted by edwardpic Is your gantry air powered as well to keep the drive motor in contact with the gear like this one is? Pretty neat system (ill see when its actually running)

Yes my system does have the air rack and pinion. It should allow for decreased wear over time I hope.

Originally Posted by magma-joe Scorpion, it sounds like your Dynatorch runs in a production enviroment? Do you ever cut aluminum? I have some parts I would like to make from .090 5052 aluminum.

Yes it is used as a production system. We have cut three different thicknesses of aluminum but non on this system yet. I used 40A consumables on something that was about .095 and it did okay. I do believe that it will cut well on this system but I'll hold judgement until I get the chance. Right now we cut mild steel.

Originally Posted by magma-joe When I went for training, their in house Dynatorch table had a speaker system connected to the computor. Before the gantry began to move a voice came over the speaker warning to stay clear. Do any of your systems do that?

No kidding? My system doens't have speakers hooked up since we'd never be able to hear them except when we're not cutting...but then we're not near the table. All of our CAD design/work happens in the office. I may hook up speakers next week just to see if it does. It would be worth a good chuckle.

Matt

[bossfrog]

Edwardpic - I feel your pain. I built my own table to their plans, and getting the racks lined up was a big job - lots of shims. Unfortunately, when my gantry arrived, it was for the wrong end (left/right), so I ended up sending it back for rework. Takes a long time to get everything running, but once it was fired up, haven't had any trouble. Mine has the air engagement gear too - slick!

Somehow we need to get a list of the Dynatorch users to network with any gantry or software-specific issues. There is already about 4 that have replied to this or other recent threads...

[edwardpic]

Hey Ric,
Maybe we should put our emails in here so we can just contact each other with tips-questions. I was gonna start a new thread that said " dynatorch users" maybe thats a way to go as well.
I also have pictures and part numbers for a powdercoat oven 4x4x6 high that I can send. Built ours for $1300 complete and we have done over 2000 parts in it so far and no problems. I do have 208 3 phase here, but it can be wired to 220 just have to have a large breaker.

I have to call Will today and get the issues resolved ASAP, we wired dedicated circuits last night for the computer-plasma and drove a 20ft ground rod (thank god for best freinds that are electricians) we used a power hammer to drive the rod in about 15 minutes. Sweet tool.

Ed

[bossfrog]

Ed - I think that a new thread for Dynatorch Users is a great idea. Since it is your idea, I will let you start it, but I will reply with my e-mail once you start the ball rolling.

I would be interested in knowing more about your powdercoat system. We have our rollbar powdercoated at a local shop, but I don't have a good alternative if they stop doing it for some reason. I don't know if it would cost-justify for us or not.

Joe - no speakers on my system, but I will check their updates.

[edwardpic]

Ric,
I can email you the pictures ans stuff if you like.
I will start a new thread soon, maybe later today. I think Dyna tech is going to join so he can help us as well, just got off the phone with them about a spacer plate.

Ed