Purchased a NEW CNC Plasma Cutter

[Mundgyver]

Guys, I just purchased a new CNC Plasma cutting table and Hypertherm Plasma torch along with some other equipment. Am going into doing CNC cutting of metal and engraving. What kind of things would be of interest to member in the way of custom parts. I can cut metal up to 1 inch thick in 4 by 20 ft indexed sections. I'm looking for ideas here. The bulk of what I will be doing is custom work with rock, glass, wood and steel engraving and carving. The CNC just gave me more options.



I'm thinking light bars or heavy duty bed rail tie down and such. any ideas would be appreciated.



I love new toys.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Cool. I just bought an OMAX water jet. We've made some cool things while learning how to use it. I'll have to see what I can dream up to make for the truck.

 

[y-knot]

I would think traction bars with the right bracketry to fit the Dana 80 would be great. Kind of based on Rancho's or Tuff Country's existing design. How about a TDR hitch plug? Or any number of custom stainless steel designs with 3M adhesive backing. Could be TDR design, Cummins big C or the name. Also you could check-out some of the SS exterior decorative body pieces sold at Stylin Customs or other shops. Rear axle truss would be cool, or why not a front Rock Ring/guard like Spyder Customs makes? I could go on, but you get the picture. Good Luck

 

[HoleshotHolset]

CNC plasma is NICE - I'm jealous.



You can't go wrong with the Hypertherm plasma cutters, though.



I love my Powermax 380...



Matt

 

[Mundgyver]

I got a little more to do to the shop to set up my engraving table and carving station. I got a Hypertherme 600. Hopfully this next week I will make my first pattern cuts on the table. My plan is to make hard core robust products with a life time warranty. Self employment is much more enjoyable with good toys to play with. I will be posting pictures of projects as we get them done. Just feed me ideas or drawings or anything of interest.

 

[CWebster]

Once you get the word out people will be flocking to your shop to get stuff burnt. CNC Plasma = $$$$'s for you. If you tell the fab shops around you, they'll be there every day. Waterjet is way cool too... . no HAZ, virtually no distortion, can cut any material ... . sweeeet.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Waterjet is a LOT more bread to buy than a plasma setup.



I would imagine having to create 50,000psi would require some serious electricity as well.



Waterjet has it's place, but not for the smaller shops...



Matt

 

[Mundgyver]

Over all just the CNC plasma system ran me a little over $11,000 which was just over half of my budget. I have been looking at opening a business for the last 2 years with the stone carving and engraving but it always seemed there was something missing from the mix. When I sow the CNC Plasma Cam. I knew that I had found the other part of the business and made the jump into the deep end of the pool. The nice thing is I was able to avoid the bank and just use some of my retirement fund money for this venture so everything is free and clear.



The water cutter sound neat. I have never seen one of them. Must be an awsome tool to cut with just water. What thickness can it work with good efficiency??

 

[DPelletier]

Mundgyver,



Sounds like a nice unit. I have a Lockformer Vulcan 2900 table with a Hypertherm HT40C. Cost me $100,000. 00 Can. in 1994 (installed with exhaust system, elect. etc. ) Only good for 3/8" plate, but I do mostly sheet metal fabrication (16 - 26ga) although I have run 3/8" ms and 1/4" aluminum plate at production speeds. The software I have allows me to use proprietory 3D layout for HVAC work as well as a CAD program for custom parts. I can also use AutoCad format downloads in . dxf and other similar file extension types. I looked at purchasing a laser cutting system, but at $500,000. 00 I couldn't justify it. It had awesome capability though, you could cut a 2" gear with 50 teeth on it - it's that accurate. Haven't had much info on the water jet systems.



Have fun



Dave

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by Mundgyver

Self employment is much more enjoyable with good toys to play with.

A friend sent this to me a while back:



"Self-employment is great! Not only can you make it big working just half a day, but you get to choose which 12 hours it'll be!"



Seriously, good luck with your new venture!

 

[CWebster]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

Waterjet is a LOT more bread to buy than a plasma setup.



I would imagine having to create 50,000psi would require some serious electricity as well.



Waterjet has it's place, but not for the smaller shops...



Matt

Not neccessarily... entry level systems there is a good price difference, but once you start looking at more capable machines, the prices start to align. With the fallout in the manufacturing sector, almost new, used equipment is going for around 25% of purchase price:--) . The amount of good, cheap, equipment available right now is staggering.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I can't remember what the total cost for the jet was. The one we bought was a demo unit. We cut 1. 25" thick mild steel with no problem and then turned around and cut some . 375" glass. We ran a job the other day that was basically 4"x4" square, but had a large radius on one corner, cut out of . 090 aluminum. We just stacked up 4 sheets and let her rip.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

"With the fallout in the manufacturing sector, almost new, used equipment is going for around 25% of purchase price. "



Man, I need to hit the lottery...



I'd love to open up my own shop... or work at a nice shop with lots of neat toys.



Matt

 

[CWebster]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

"With the fallout in the manufacturing sector, almost new, used equipment is going for around 25% of purchase price. "



Man, I need to hit the lottery...



I'd love to open up my own shop... or work at a nice shop with lots of neat toys.



Matt

Honestly, now is the time... .



There will soon be a massive swinging of the manufacturing sector. With the loss of so many suppliers (not to outsourcing, but to bankruptcy and selling out) and the amount of work that is coming down the pipes, anybody around in the next 6 mos - year should reap the benefits. On the other hand, the good deals on equipment will get snatched up, bankruptcy rates will slow (they're already falling off), and the market will start pushing up used equip. prices. There is a lot of excitement going around the industry.....

 

[Mike Ellis]

Where's a good place to buy used equipment like that CWebster? Is it all at auctions, or are there some websites or such that we can look at?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

If only I had a garage to work in... I could do some fabrication work on the side and help pay for some CNC toys.



Matt

 

[CWebster]

All of the great deals are at auctions. http://www.myronbowling.com http://michaelfox.com/us/ , http://www.dovebid.com/Auctions/AuctionList.asp ,

In Texas http://www.cia-auction.com/auctiond...&Field=key_field&Key=.*&Sort=time&Sort_num=on http://www.masterlink.com/bda/ Third listing down has some good stuff http://www.mjauctions.com/current.htm



Some good reference material for pricing and such www.fabricatorshotline.com and there sister mag www.imtgetsresults.com . I get there mags, can't vouch for the websites.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Thanks CWebster!

 

[CWebster]

Here is a good one for the canadiens. www.danburysales.com

Click on "Auction Apraisal Services", then click on auction info for CANRON structural, and then click on listings. There is a tremendous amount fo equipment being auctioned. With the amount of large items goin at that auction, the little stuff usually goes for next to nothing, i. e small welders, hand tools, overhead mono cranes, jib cranes, air compressores, etc. Perfect for outfitting a small shop or garage for cheap.

 

[JLEONARD]

Waterjet has it's place, but not for the smaller shops...

I do a lot of business with a very small (6 man) shop that has a waterjet..... that machine makes a lot of parts. Excellent for onesey-twosey prototypes up to hundreds. Gives a nice edge condition as opposed to wire edm or laser and cheaper (at least around here ,CT) when tolerances allow it.

Also good for stainless backing plates for boat hardware, those shark bottle openers, ... . oops

Yes, very versatile.