Looking to buy new plasma cutting machine

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Hi,
I just recently sold my Torchmate 1 that I had for about 8 or 9 years and am now looking to buy a new 4' x 4' machine.
I have been checking out every site that I can find trying to find what is the best machine dollar for dollar this has turned out to be mind boggeling.
I have been looking at Dynatorch, Fastcut Icon and Elite, Torchmate 2, and Plasmaroute, Like anything else they all have thier pro's and cons and vary quite a bit in price 10 to 20 grand.
Dose anyone have any suggestions from experience with any of these. I sure would appreciate some help on this
Thanks
Dave

[FiveORacing]

I bought a BullTear and I am very happy with it. Nicely built, runs great and came with everything I needed and I think a real bargain. DTHC included in the price. Support has been very good. Broke a switch, they overnighted a new one. A month after I bought it they sent me a XBox controller, no charge.

Joe

[Dennis]

I have a Fastcut Icon table and it has been flawless for the most part.. Tech service was great when I needed them..

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Dennis,
Glad to hear that the Icon has been good so far. Please keep me posted as you find any pro's and cons.

Joe,
I had never hear of a BullTear I will check it ouy looks like a nice machine.Please keep me posted as well.
Thank you for the replies.

[Dennis]

Had my Icon about a year , no problems

[minnfatz]

Check out Precision Plasma. They are inexpensive, but they aren't cheap. Ron the owner is great to work with and is very helpful. His tables are designed to work with electronics from CandCNC.

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Thanks for the info.

[rz500]

I would seriously consider a Tracker Nitro if your looking for an quality affordable 4x4, I have had great success with my Tracker. They have an ad at the bottom of these pages.

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

I will check them out. Thank You

[minnfatz]

Hmmm...I would be interested in hearing some of the horror stories about Precision Plasma (links please). I have met Ron the owner and been to his shop to see the components being assembled and all seemed good to me. I would hate to think I am endorsing something that is a hunk of junk.

[rz500]

Hmmm...I would be interested in hearing some of the horror stories about Precision Plasma (links please). I have met Ron the owner and been to his shop to see the components being assembled and all seemed good to me. I would hate to think I am endorsing something that is a hunk of junk.

My mistake, it wasn't precision plasma but rather another company that went by a similar name. I have edited my post and appologize.

[jeeplogic83]

Do not buy from Precision Automated Equipment PAE they are the former owners of Practical CNC that screwed countless #'s of people. Same People different name same BS. Have you considered building a table?

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Yes, I have thought of building a machine myself, I have no problem building the table I had built my Torchmate table.
My issue is that there are so many options out there and finding out what is the best components to use and what works with what, I just got frustrated and decided to just buy one complete other than the table which I will build myself.
I have narrowed it down between Dynatorch and Fastcut. I really like the driver system, servo motors ?which are not necessary for plasma cutting although the fast transit speed is nice". And I like the knowledge they have meaning "Leon Drake" I had delt with him back when he was with Torchmate. I like the fact that Fastcut uses linear ways on both x & y axis and they now use hybrid 600 oz. steppers instead of the standard 1/2 steppers.
I have still not completely blown off building the complete system myself any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

[jeeplogic83]

Dave, look into CandCNC if you plan on building. they have great hardware to go with any system that you would build. and mcmaster carr can get you the drives and gears needed at a decent price.
good luck.

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Thanks Greg, I will look at that option. I am sure it would be much cheaper than buying the completed unit.
What's your thoughts on a gantry?

[Eagle Mtn Metal Works]

Hi Dave
Hear is a link to a complete setup (frye672000@yahoo.com) ck this out before you buy anything its a knock out price.

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Thanks for the info. Rod but I think you gave me an e-mail adress instead of a link to a web site.

[Eagle Mtn Metal Works]

Hey Dave
Sorry I did.
The set up is on plasma pigs web site and plasma cam to. If you cant get to either site send him a line direct.

[boodog710]

Dave, I have had a Dynatorch 5 x 10 with a Hypertherm 1250 for 3 years. No real problems except those caused by me. I have cut probably over 10,000 parts from 22g to 1". The support is really good. If I needed to buy another one I would definitely go back to Dynatorch.

I bought the upgraded software package which includes Cutting Shop and WE-CIM. I would recommend getting these two programs.

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Thanks Boodog,
I have a friend in N.Carolina that has had one for for about 6 years and he has been very satisfied with his as well. Also talked to a fab shop here in Ohio that has had one for 4 years they are also pleased with theirs. I think dollar for dollar this would be the best machine for me. I think I may pull the trigger this coming week and order one. I have decided on a 5' x 5' machine, bad thing is it will take a month to get. I am going to build the table my self "water table", I plan on building it while waiting on the gantry. I appreciate the info. Any suggestios please let me know.
Thanks
Dave

[ALLOHIO]

I have had my Shop sabre for a few weeks now and what a well built table, so far no problems and I love the servo motors and the g code my cuts are so muck better than my old table because of the software that runs the table.

Hope this helps
Paul

IMG00179-20110128-1159.jpg

[Pro Arc Weldshop]

Thanks Paul,
What program dose Shop Sabre use to run?

[ALLOHIO]

I draw in corel draw and rhino the table runs on win cnc for the plasma and the router.

Paul