New Machine Build- Table Size for a TM3?

[schoobie]

I want to buy a TM3, but I am not sure how large and wide should it be. I have about 20k to spend in the machine, and I want to buy one that will fit common comercial and standard steel plate sizes, so as to reduce the time spend setting up the plates while leaving most of the time to cutting.

First, I started looking at TM1, but I wanted to get more than 5' wide, so moved right away to TM3. Then I worried about the size of the table, and I thought that 7' by 20' is good. But then while browsing TM website found that the examples from customers are tables 8' by 20 or 8' by 30'.

Is 7' by 20' too odd of a size? Should I better go with 8' by 20'?

Maybe Mike from TM can shed some light here?

[millman52]

Originally Posted by schoobie I want to buy a TM3, but I am not sure how large and wide should it be. I have about 20k to spend in the machine, and I want to buy one that will fit common comercial and standard steel plate sizes, so as to reduce the time spend setting up the plates while leaving most of the time to cutting. First, I started looking at TM1, but I wanted to get more than 5' wide, so moved right away to TM3. Then I worried about the size of the table, and I thought that 7' by 20' is good. But then while browsing TM website found that the examples from customers are tables 8' by 20 or 8' by 30'. Is 7' by 20' too odd of a size? Should I better go with 8' by 20'? Maybe Mike from TM can shed some light here?

In my area Sheet steel sizes are 4', 5', 6', & 8' wide X 8', 10', 12' 16', 20', & 24' I believe I'd either cut back to 6' or go 8'. Check with your steel supplier(s) & see what they keep on the racks.