Buy or build a cnc plasma system

[FABMAN]

Hello everyone, I am new here and am in need of some HELP. I have been looking to purchase a cnc plasma system for awhile now. I have recieved literature from samson, torchmate and plasmacam. And they all claim to be good, untill I started reading reviews. It seems like they love it and have had good tech support or hate it and have had bad tech support. I feel like its a expensive lottery ticket. And i cannot afford it to be a loser. I was considering the torchmate III kit. But now i am thinking of just building it myself, considering the kit is off the shelf items. The problem with that is where do i purchase all the componets, is there any plans out there that show me everything i need? Am i better off to just purchase a complete system or kit? If so does anyone have comments on the torchmate III kit? After reading comments about some of the systems out there i dont know what to think or do. Thank You,FABMAN

[jimcolt]

Fabman,

It all boils down to how much time and expertise you have! With some expertise in fabricating, electronics and computers...along with good skills locating and purchasing components you can build a pretty good cnc cutting machine.

To make a plasma torch cut with its best capability in terms of cut speed, cut quality and consumable life....the x, y and z motion capability of the machine has to be very good. If the machine has poor acceleration and deacceleration....expect wider kerf in the corners and dross. If the z axis (torch heigh control) cannot maintain the proper height under all cutting conditions to within .005" to .010".....and is not able to compensate for minor warpage in the plate.....then expect varying edge angularity and poor consumable life. If the cnc controller hiccups when the plasma torch fires, and loses position...how much metal did you just waste?

Many have built their own machines....I have done it myself. However, when I look back at the pains and the shear amount of time I spent on designing, building, and redesigning the machine....I likely was better off buying an entry level machine like the ones you mention from Samson, Torchmate and PlasmaCam.

Regardless of the reports you read....all of the manufacturers of these entry level machines have built a lot of machines...and have been through the learning curve a few times over.

Most of those that buy these machines have had some bad experiences in the first months of operation.......then after a few months things seem to start working better. It's called the learning curve in most cases! In some cases where a user is never happy with one of these machines is likely due to the fact that they expected the same performance as a $100,000 precision, high definition industrial plasma cutting machine for the price of $10,000.

I scrapped my home built machine and bought an early model 98Z PlasmaCam over 7 years ago. For the first few months I couldn't get the performance I wanted....but over time, my problems went away...and I love the machine now....and in fact am getting ready to order a brand new one with the latest features. if I had purchased the PlasmaCam instead of building a machine....I would have been through the learning curve in less time than it took to locate all the parts and get the homebuilt machine running.

Granted there is a lot of satisfaction in having a succesfull homebuilt machine. In hindsight I think that these entry level machines are a real bargain for the hobbyist...or for a small shop. Just don't expect an industrial grade machine at the hobbyist price!

Jim

[FABMAN]

Jim, Thank you for your input. I agree. I think i am going with a kit. Which will save me time, $ & headaches. Thanks again,FABMAN

[millman52]

I agree with Jim & his advice seems very sound & very much to the point.

I decided a bit over a year ago to build my own. I have no regrets. At a couple points during the build however I began to wish I had started with a kit. I'll be the first to admit that I tend to over design things. My main objectives in building my own were.

(1) I wanted more of an industrial (heavy) table.
(2) Figured if I built it myself, I could troubleshoot, diagnose, & repair it myself.
(3) There were things about everyones kit that I liked & things I didn't.
(4) I wanted commonly available, high quality, off the shelf parts for repair reasons.
(5) I wanted Ox/Fuel & plasma torches to remain mounted to the gantry at all times.
(6) Total size expandable, as well as disassembly for a move, if ever needed.

As an end result I have a table that holds as close of tolerances as any including the mega dollar commercial tables. I have a table that will be easily repairable right down to the rack gears & guide rails.

Starting from scratch is very time consuming. I have seen builds done & operational with little more than hand tools. I have a complete machine shop at my disposal to make the parts I needed for a table. In my case there is upwards of 600 drilled & threaded holes(part of the ease to repair in the future issue). Most of them 5-40 & similar size metric.

This is just a guess but I imagine I have no less than 500 hours to maybe as much as 1000 hours in planning, drawing prints for parts, ordering, than producing & assembling it all.

As I stated earlier I DO NOT REGRET THE FINAL OUTCOME. My table exceeds any expectations I ever had as far as precision & cut quality.

On the other hand, had I started with a kit & modified the things I didn't like. I could have easily made back the money savings. In getting the table in production earlier.

As to my opinion on what kit to get. I'd want a control system that will allow use of what ever software I choose. As well as being able to get key replacement parts on the "Open Market". I'd want a dropped front side table for ease of loading sheets. I'd want as large as my space would allow.

What ever you decide you can count on help from several people who post regularly here on the Zone. & Welcome.

Neil

[FABMAN]

I have decided to go with a 5'X10' kit. I like the fact i can design and build my own table.

Now the Question is which brand?
I've been comparing the torchmate 3, dynatorch and still have a few more to go.
I strongly agree with you on the software,replacement parts and easy load table.

I have a powermax 1000 which is what i will probably be using.
I also have a pakmaster 150XL with a SC-11 standoff control(THC). I've been told that the 150XL is not recommended for use on a entry level cnc system because its a hi freq machine.
Do i have any options?
I know i can use the SC-11 with the torchmate 3 if i had a different thermal dynamic machine.

You both have been a big help. The Zone is a great thing!

Thanks,
FABMAN