Has you plasma table paid for it's self yet?

[Johnuk]

These machines can end up costing thousands. I appreciate that to get work, you have to look for it.

So I was thinking. How many plasma table owners have managed to pay for the machine in parts yet?

How busy is your table kept?

Best wishes,
John

[enfofan]

I am approaching my 2nd anniversary with my CNC table, (12/10/02 delivery) although I missed the holiday season (ordered in October '02) I have been profitable after one year. I use e-Bay and craft shows primairly, but did a stint for 6 months renting space at a flea/antique mall. Worst days 0 sales (too many) and the best day was $1100 single day sales(too few). This is very seasonal so far in that I get a large spike for fall and Christmas. I am a part time 'hobbiest' trying to make the big time. 8-)

[Johnuk]

Wow! $1100 in a day, that's a pretty fine day's work for sure!

If you don't mind me asking, how much work was entailed with the $1100 order(s)? I mean, was it enough work to keep you busy for weeks afterwards?

I imagine sign work would be a good place for plasma cutting. There's no real need for laser or high definition plasma accuracy in sign work, but a hand cut sign would probably end up looking a pretty bad without a lot of care.

We used to buy lettering about three to four inches tall from 3mm sheet for around 50p a letter I think - about a 75c to a dollar I guess. With some careful nesting, you could fit a lot of letters on a standard sheet.

I've been talking to a guy at Hypertherm over the last few days. I wanted to know why it is that the machine torches of the plasma cutters are rated at less than half the capacity of the manual torches for the same unit. He told me that it's simply the vertical piercing causing the machine torches to clog up faster.

I discovered that by running the cutting path in at the side of the work, and then using a continuous cutting path, you can use the machine torches as though they were manual torches - effectively doubling their capacity. A continuous cutting path also means less dwell time and less wear produced on work within it's normal piercing capacity.

As this thread is about making money from plasma cutting, I thought this may be of interest.

Best wishes,
John

[enfofan]

If you don't mind me asking, how much work was entailed with the $1100 order(s)? I mean, was it enough work to keep you busy for weeks afterwards?



John, I build inventory on speculative basis, so the big sales day that I had, was based on having a lucky mix of designs- I do have a few 'standard' designs that have proven popular at just about every car show that I attend, so I always make several copies of those. I also create designs that cater to the crowd, that is if I am going to a MG car show, I will make stuff to cater to that crowd- not much interest in the old school hot rod designs that also make. I also take 'custom' orders but those tend to be infrequent.

I imagine sign work would be a good place for plasma cutting. There's no real need for laser or high definition plasma accuracy in sign work, but a hand cut sign would probably end up looking a pretty bad without a lot of care.

I have not done any sign work. But on the same wave- I call my stuff 'art' and that too doesn't require the machine shop precision, actually customers seem to prefer the occassional squigly line- implying a true hand cut design.


I've been talking to a guy at Hypertherm over the last few days. I wanted to know why it is that the machine torches of the plasma cutters are rated at less than half the capacity of the manual torches for the same unit. He told me that it's simply the vertical piercing causing the machine torches to clog up faster.

I had to make a costly repair or buy a greater capacity unit last November. Bought the Hypertherm Powermax 600 with hand torch, which is wired off the trigger to the control box for computer controlled on/off; significantly expanded my options for thickness of metals in which I could work with.

BTW I bought my first plasma cutter to cut up a 1959 Ford Consul- need the parts from the saloon to make my convertible roadworthy again.



As this thread is about making money from plasma cutting, I thought this may be of interest.

John, you may also look at online auction sites as another venue for sales. I have done nearly half of my sales from this outlet.

My designs have as of last week been shipped throughout the USA and most recently to Holland!

So technically I am a global economy participant! 8-) LOL

cheers,
Frank