Here is one that has good support and uses the open source CandCnc stuff. They have good how to videos as well.
Arcpro 9600 4x8 cnc plasma table -
WSS
www.metaltechus.com
Arc Pro 12000 5x10 cnc plasma table -
They are only 300 miles away too! (saves on shipping) This is tough!!!
"-I can do a 5:1 screw for $100 more, but the 2:1 screw that we use normally will run the Z at 150IPM. That’s with Mach3 running at 25KHZ and Geckos set at 10x microstepping. Not sure why you need a 5:1 screw to attain that speed. With a 5:1 on our lifter, we could hit over 500IPM."
You won't be able to take advantage of the BladeRunner's lower cost:
You will have to move up to the more expensive Plazpak series with bigger motors that are 34 and have 1/2" shafts and a bigger power supply and larger stepper drivers.
The BladeRunner Dragon-Cut series is engineered to provide excellent performance on gantries weighing up to 100 lbs when using two motors (dual drive) on the gantry and with the high torq 620oz-in 23 frame motors we had specially designed. With a R&P and 1" pinion the optimal belt reduction is 3:1.
TOM caudle
www.Candcnc.com
"We use 640oz/in motors with 1/2” shafts. As long as the motors are NEMA 34 frame, they will bolt up. The primary drive is L series timing belt. To use 3/8 shafts, you would need 1 15 tooth pulley and 1 10 tooth pulley with 3/8 bore. The Z axis uses a NEMA 23 motor."
I will probably step up to the larger size. Does that have the same great THC, and ability to use integrate itself with the RS485 option that the hypertherm plasma has right? Maybe upgrade to the 960 oz in steppers as well?
If i wanted to add on a tube cutter attachment in the future, id be looking at 5 stepper kit wouldn't I?
So far i think its down betweem Arc Pro and Tru Cut.
Going to get final quotes from each of them and see where i stand.
Shipping quote from trucut cnc came back and it was $4200 dollars. The shippers were charging premium apparently since the size of the crate (6'x11'). I cant justify spending that kind of cash for shipping alone. They use a third party shipping service who i believe even crates it for them.
It appears the search continues.
Still looking, now building my own has come back into the picture.. omg! :\
Just curious as to what you decided to do. I am hopefully going to go see the arclight table this next month.
Going to see it in person is on my list of things to do. I actually just bought a 2005 C4500 Kodiak with my money for moving around surplus machinery. Got sick of renting trucks! If email them, they also offer financing through a 3rd party that i am going to inquire about. I really like the ARCPRO 5x10 setup. I also like that you can convert it back over to a mill. i already have a large mill, but just incase, its nice for a backup.
TruCut CNC now offers great shipping rates with UPS FREIGHT! They also offer a GANTRY KIT which costs less to ship.
Check out the Sale they have going on for December, big savings
TruCut CNC have a sale going on, you should check them out again. Their shipping rates are lots lower now too.
Class 250 6x11 crate could be shipped to the southern tip of south america for under $4K
We have had good luck with our Fadals milling mostly soft steel and aluminum up to 5 axis. We are always looking for spare parts :) If you have a broken down Fadal give a shout.
We bought a shopsabre sidekick 48x96 a year ago. Its a little more than your budget but was well worth it. Steel welded frame and linear guides and bearings all around. It's been a great machine for us.
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