CNC Plasma Recommendation

[seafurymike]

I'm looking to purchase a CNC plasma instead of building a unit. Been through the CNC router build and I know I just dont have the time to build one from scratch.

Does anyone have a plasma for sale (used) or recommend a unit that isnt too expensive ( was hoping for less than 5K)

[elanjacobs]

A woodwork forum might not be the best place to look for a plasma cutter.

[Greolt]

Yeah on the face of it a woodwork forum may not look like the right place.

However this is the CNC section and is frequented by a number of members who have a bit to do with such things.

Not an unreasonable place for such an enquiry.

Mike, I don't know of any machines that cheap. If you go for the industry standard Hypertherm cutter, it will cost almost that much on it's own.

I am in the "gather bits together" stage of building a plasma cnc myself. Doing lots of searching and reading.

Greolt

[WillyInBris]

Hi everyone.

Looks like some of us are on another journey lol.

Retrenched last week so I had been thinking about this myself for a bit, I have had a look around mike but couldn't see anything as well but a good plasma cutter unit will cots about 2.5k alone then the CNC side.
I am re-purposing some parts that i had put away some time ago and just going to build one that way I can then spend more $$$ on the Plasma cutter, I will then use the cutter to make another larger unit.

From that I can see everything can be light weight besides the table so that's good in my opinion so I am just going for a light weight CNC with a beefed up table.

Been looking at plasma cutters, duty times as well some can cause interference with computers something to do with the way they start up so another thing to be aware of.

Did the Z&X axis yesterday Y today then will build the table over the weekend.
Electronics drivers next week any idea on what would be good for that GREOLT or anyone else? maybe just a G540 or maybe the next drives up if I move to a larger table?

I will probably head over to CNC Zone and start a thread there on it.

[beefy]

I'm looking to purchase a CNC plasma instead of building a unit. Been through the CNC router build and I know I just dont have the time to build one from scratch.

Does anyone have a plasma for sale (used) or recommend a unit that isnt too expensive ( was hoping for less than 5K)

All I can say is good luck. I built my own plasma table and couldn't even buy the software/electronics/parts/materials for that price. I paid $7K for the 80 amp plasma cutter alone (hand + machine torch). What size table, what about plasma dust control, what type of cutting do you intend to do.

Anyone wanting to build or buy a good quality cnc plasma really needs to read up on them. Get on forums like Cnczone and learn everything you can. There's a heck of a lot more to cnc plasma than what first meets the eye.

If I could go back in time I would seriously consider getting a loan to buy a turnkey machine. If the machine is going to make you money then you may be better just paying the regular loan payments and focusing on learning the machine operation, cut quality, cad drawing, nesting, and of course the business side itself.

One guy described a plasma table as an accessory for an overhead hoist. That is another thing to think about if you plan on dealing with anything heavy. I can manhandle a 3mm sheet (2440 X 1220) onto the table but anything thicker needs some mechanical help.

I don't see anything wrong in asking about plasma machines here. Yes this is a "woodwork" forum, but it has a metalwork section, a trailer building section, and a welding section, so clearly metal working is an intended part of the forum. I think the "woodwork" part is just the forum name. The more the merrier I say.

[WillyInBris]

Hi beefy you are right looked into buying a table and they now start at 23k for the most basic setup and for what it is it is not worth the $$ if you have the knowledge on how to build a system most parts are turn key that makes it easier but yes its costs $$$$$.

Estimated to come in at 10K will actually come it lower then that though but not a lot under.

I have a already designed and started building, going to run a Hypertherm 45, quite pricey but you get what you pay for.

I will share when its finished and running so people can ask the questions i dont realy have the time to do a full blown build thread.

Willy

[beefy]

One thing I've learned in business is that IF you think you can get the business, then getting a loan to buy a QUALITY ready to go machine may make more financial sense, because the money earned from day one, plus the extra business acquired, more than makes up for the extra cost. Of course if it's more of a hobby thing and there's no loss of income while the machine is being built then a DIY built will certainly save some pennies.

Don't know how you are building yours but I built on the cheap and used chain and sprockets. When I've got the cash I'm going to redo the table with rack and pinion. The chain bounces about above a certain speed so I have to keep my cuts below "bounce speed" then everything is fine. I recommend Gecko stepper drives. In the beginning I used a Leadshine stepper drive, and it just could not drive my crappy stepper motors (some Chinese brand) above a very slow speed, they'd just stall. Tried a Gecko drive and it drove them up to speed with ease. I never get motor stalls with these drives. Oh yeah they were cheaper too.

I've seen a lot of people pay the extra for a Hypertherm cutter after owning a cheapy, and they always seem glad they did.

Good luck with your build. Will you be using Mach3 ?

Keith.

[WillyInBris]

One thing I've learned in business is that IF you think you can get the business, then getting a loan to buy a QUALITY ready to go machine may make more financial sense, because the money earned from day one, plus the extra business acquired, more than makes up for the extra cost. Of course if it's more of a hobby thing and there's no loss of income while the machine is being built then a DIY built will certainly save some pennies.

Don't know how you are building yours but I built on the cheap and used chain and sprockets. When I've got the cash I'm going to redo the table with rack and pinion. The chain bounces about above a certain speed so I have to keep my cuts below "bounce speed" then everything is fine. I recommend Gecko stepper drives. In the beginning I used a Leadshine stepper drive, and it just could not drive my crappy stepper motors (some Chinese brand) above a very slow speed, they'd just stall. Tried a Gecko drive and it drove them up to speed with ease. I never get motor stalls with these drives. Oh yeah they were cheaper too.

I've seen a lot of people pay the extra for a Hypertherm cutter after owning a cheapy, and they always seem glad they did.

Good luck with your build. Will you be using Mach3 ?

Keith.

Keith having someone on board like you will help mate, all knowledge is good knowledge.
Today the kids are sitting watching a movie will start a thread so we don't derail this thread lol.

[Greolt]

Electronics drivers next week any idea on what would be good for that GREOLT or anyone else? maybe just a G540 or maybe the next drives up if I move to a larger table?

To my way of thinking you are coming from the wrong end.

The way I think about it is, start with the gantry etc. and then what size motors are going to be needed to give the speed/acceleration performance plasma needs with that weight.

Then what amps and voltage do those motors need to perform at that level.

If I remember correctly the G540 has four G251 drives in it, with a 3 amp and 50 volt max limit.

This may well be all you need, but better to buy drives to suit the machine rather than build a machine to suit the drives.

[WillyInBris]

To my way of thinking you are coming from the wrong end.

Sure was but I have pulled back a bit changed my thought process.

This may well be all you need, but better to buy drives to suit the machine rather than build a machine to suit the drives.

Yes will have the gantry done and finished then I can weigh it and work out what's best for the long term

[WillyInBris]

opps wrong thread