Purchased a NEW CNC Plasma Cutter

[HoleshotHolset]

I guess my idea of a small shop is different than other's...



My response was intended to reference Mundgyver's business...



Don't most waterjet systems start at like $50k?



Matt

 

[Mundgyver]

My garage is the place for me right now. If the business takes off and I get up to my chin in work, then I guess it will be time to expand. I just like the idea of staying home and making money.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

I guess my idea of a small shop is different than other's...



My response was intended to reference Mundgyver's business...



Don't most waterjet systems start at like $50k?



Matt

We paid around 30k for ours. It is the middle size (26"X52"). We are still a small shop (20 employees) but it does enough to pay for itself quickly.

 

[Boomer II]

Torchmate/Plasma cam, pros and cons? I'm lusting for one of these real hard. According to both mfg. they are the best.

 

[Mundgyver]

I went with the Hypertherm 600 because it was one of several that was recommended for the table. The other big reason is that there is a factory service center 4 miles from the house should I need any warranty work. The plasma cam fit in the garage with a 5 ft x 5 ft footprint and was very easy for me to put together myself. I did not have to build a seperate table to hold it. It all came as a complete unit. Took me just a little over an hour to have it together.

 

[Boomer II]

Is their software pretty easy to use? I'm not a big time puter whiz.

 

[Mundgyver]

No harder than anybody elses I would think. The big trick is to read the manual and do the exercises that are shown. Will take about 4 hours of reading and playing around. Wiring up everything is what will take the most time. You have to install the remote circuit for the plasma cutter and make sure you have enough amps to run everything when are working. For me that can range from 79 amps at 50% duty cycle down to 62 amps at 100 % duty cycle. This works out from 43 amps down to 26 amp for the plasma cutter. Another 21 amps for the compressor. Another 10 amps for the table and the last 5 amps for the computer.



My first electric bill is going to suck real bad. But the happy end of that is that I will be making a bunch of money. I just had a guy approach me about cutting precision small parts in set of 100 to 200 for dune buggys.



I figure in a month I will have a good handle on exact cost of operations and such.



My wife is worried That ok cause I know I am going to be in good shape.

 

[Boomer II]

That's great, I'd like to get some work lined up before I took the plunge. Good luck with it, keep us informed of your progress.

 

[Mundgyver]

I was not worried about not having work. My worry was about getting set up and going in a timely manner. I have work already lined up for metal parts and engraving / carving in stone.



The two sites listed below are what I have bought and make up the core of my business abilities. I can move in about 10 different directions with the ability that I now have with the equipment that I invested in.



Check this site out and it will show you the other half of my investment. It has a very nice on-line video you can watch.



http://www.scmsysteminc.com/video_demo.php



And then of course there is this site for the plasma cam



http://www.plasmacam.com/



Enjoy the video and let me know what you think.



-Wally-

 

[CWebster]

Good luck Mundgyver, I think you've made a wise choice.



http://www.shopbottools.com/plasma.htm has similar stuff and is becoming more and more popular.

 

[Boomer II]

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.