Have $10K, buy or build?

[I Lean]

Check out the Bulltear tables too...they already use CandCNC, and their newly-introduced 2012 model looks to be pretty dang nice.

Link: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bullte..._bulltear.html

[diyengineer]

Check out the Bulltear tables too...they already use CandCNC, and their newly-introduced 2012 model looks to be pretty dang nice.

Link: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bullte..._bulltear.html

Looks good, i guess there are a lot of options out there!

[Diverdude]

I went through the same debate as you did, as much as I wanted to build my first table I decided to buy one ready to go beacuse as fast as I talked about it people wanted parts made. So spend time making machine or money? also didn't want to go through the development stage of costly mistakes. I'll build my next one. I ended up going with a plasmaroute, I went there for training and it uses a lot of candcnc parts, also comes with a water table built in. I'm new to this also and I'm still a few weeks out from my table arriving.

[vacextar]

I used the standard 4x8 precision plasma gantry kit and welded up the table pretty much according to the drawings provided by PP.

Sent from my DROID Pro using Tapatalk

[osphoto]

If you think you would enjoy building a machine setting aside on your "prototype" work, then build.

I do a lot of prototype work and I certainly don't want to spend my time building a table, etc, etc. If you have the funds to purchase and get up and running do it.

I built my first table and although was fun, I don't care to build another one. I'd rather be making my prototypes. They can take enough hours of time with out having to build a table. There are better suited folks that are worth paying to build my table correct the first time. I just need to verify the work they did with a few accurate measurements and I'm off to building my parts.

As for buying two tables, not a bad idea but don't short yourself on quality and a big work surface.

The larger work surface means cheaper purchasing of your stock. I now if I purchase my aluminum sheets in large sheets, it cost me less. My suppliers often charges "cut" charges on aluminum. A 4x12 foot sheet of aluminum is two cuts and I just lay the 4x4ft sheet on my table and away I go.

My original machine was barely 8.5 x11 inches and I hated it!!! my 5x5 foot table has been awesome. Savings on buying my supplies in stock have made up for the cost & time in having to cut my stock down to size. And obviously I can make bigger items.

Grats with cash in hands!

[diyengineer]

Thank you everyone!

So far i have been really liking these guys!
TruCut CNC Photo Gallery

Naked 5'x10' table, no electronics, pc, software, or plasma $3800

ADD ONE: Down draft $1895, Pneumatic water table $2695 OR Water pan $1295.

Optional Plate Marker: $1295

ADD: Roughly $1700 shipping. (6'x11' crate).

I would obviously have to go with the pneumatic water setup and plate marker. which puts me right at $9500 shipped.

I would then supply the CandCNC electronics, Plasma, and PC with software. (A couple overtime weekends and i could supply the rest of the cash). I don't mind spending more as long as it gets me quality.

My only doubt:
The table does use "precision roller chain", and also doesn't state anything about the linear ways/bearings. Maybe someone can give me there 2 cents about these things. Seems to be well built and made in America. I want it to be easily rebuild-able once it wears out in the future, like all mechanical things.

Cutting area 60W x 120L
Weight Approx 1400 lbs
Motor Type Stepper
X and Y Resolution 0.0006
Z Resolution .000008
X Axis Drive (Dual Side Drive) Precision Roller Chain
Y Axis Drive Precision Roller Chain
Z Axis Drive Ultra-Smooth Lead Screw
Travel Speed (X and Y) 600 IPM
Travel Speed (Z) 50 IPM
Max Recommended Acceleration 50 I/S^2
Warranty (Mechanical Components) 1 Year
Warranty (Electrical Components) 90 Days

[Torchhead]

I went through the same debate as you did, as much as I wanted to build my first table I decided to buy one ready to go beacuse as fast as I talked about it people wanted parts made. So spend time making machine or money? also didn't want to go through the development stage of costly mistakes. I'll build my next one. I ended up going with a plasmaroute, I went there for training and it uses a lot of candcnc parts, also comes with a water table built in. I'm new to this also and I'm still a few weeks out from my table arriving.

PlasmaRoute no longer uses any CandCNC electronics in any of their tables. The THC is not ours and the controllers are wired from parts in their shop. There are other OEMs that do use our stuff (Bulltear included). I don't know when you bought your table and did the training but your electronics are different from what is currently shipping.

TOM caudle
www.Candcnc.com

[Torchhead]

Thank you everyone!

Cutting area 60W x 120L
Weight Approx 1400 lbs
Motor Type Stepper
X and Y Resolution 0.0006
Z Resolution .000008
X Axis Drive (Dual Side Drive) Precision Roller Chain
Y Axis Drive Precision Roller Chain
Z Axis Drive Ultra-Smooth Lead Screw
Travel Speed (X and Y) 600 IPM
Travel Speed (Z) 50 IPM
Max Recommended Acceleration 50 I/S^2
Warranty (Mechanical Components) 1 Year
Warranty (Electrical Components) 90 Days

The Z leadscrew needs to be courser and be able to hit 120 to 150 IPM (5 turn gets you to about 120) or your DTHC performance (speed it can move while cutting) will be pretty slow and limit how quickly it can climb up a rise in the metal. Typical Z velocity under THC control is about 30% of the max Z velocity setting.

i don't think there is anything wrong with roller chain if it is tensioned right.

Confirm the shaft sizes for the interface to the mechanics. On the BladeRunner Dragon-Cut,the 620 motors are 3/8 while the 300's are 1/4" both are 23 frame

TOM caudle
www.candcnc.com

[diyengineer]

The Z leadscrew needs to be courser and be able to hit 120 to 150 IPM (5 turn gets you to about 120) or your DTHC performance (speed it can move while cutting) will be pretty slow and limit how quickly it can climb up a rise in the metal. Typical Z velocity under THC control is about 30% of the max Z velocity setting.

i don't think there is anything wrong with roller chain if it is tensioned right.

Confirm the shaft sizes for the interface to the mechanics. On the BladeRunner Dragon-Cut,the 620 motors are 3/8 while the 300's are 1/4" both are 23 frame

TOM caudle
www.candcnc.com

Thanks TOM i will check and get back to you!

[Diverdude]

PlasmaRoute no longer uses any CandCNC electronics in any of their tables. The THC is not ours and the controllers are wired from parts in their shop. There are other OEMs that do use our stuff (Bulltear included). I don't know when you bought your table and did the training but your electronics are different from what is currently shipping.

TOM caudle
www.Candcnc.com

Wasn't my table, but Might have been old stock they used cause one item I saw had the logo on it. didn't pay attention to what was on the shelf though so it could have changed. Thanks for that info. Like to get it as close to right as I can. Now I know.

[WSS]

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

[diyengineer]

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

Arc Pro 12000 5x10 cnc plasma table -

They are only 300 miles away too! (saves on shipping) This is tough!!!