Which table would you purchase small business

[ARironworks]

Hey y'all,

Since October of last year I've been working with a 2020 Lincoln Electric TM 4800. My background is in industrial design, I don't have extensive experience with automated machinery. After working with this machine for 9 months, I still experience a lot more issues than I would like: poor hole quality, varying bevel angle, torch crashing when on AVHC around tight curves, torch crashing unpredictably, torch crashing on AVHC when cutting Aluminum sometimes, overall a general finickyness from the machine if I mess with the settings too much during a cut (it will lose place of where it is on the table).

I also thing the TM Cad/Cam is pretty poorly designed I really dislike that I can't have detailed access to the g-code creation, like being able to control speed around certain parts of the cut, not being able to produce single, no-return lines, etc. I've been learning this machine by myself, with TM tech support and TM Academy (their online video tutorials). Overall I'm still not feeling like I understand the machine as much as I want, and I get the sense that my consumables aren't surviving as long as they could.

I may start my own business in the future (designing and cutting for architectural feature as well as some of my own sheet metal furniture designs). Which 4x8 table and cutting system would y'all recommend? Or the is TM4800 worth sticking with?
I don't feel deeply familiar with the differences between brands but I'm seeking excellent backlash control and less technical issues. Would enjoy a torch with the ability to cut at an angle, would mostly cut 14g - 1/4" with some 16g and and some 5/8", rarely outside of those.

Thanks,
Amelia
writing from Durham, NC

[weldguy]

If your not happy with it now I certainly would not stick with it. I always like to suggest people try to find a long standing and reputable manufacturer who is somewhat local so you can go and get your hands on one before deciding on anything. All the manufactures who advertise here are long standing and reputable, one of those who is close to you is JD2, likely less than 5 hour drive from you. Check them out and see how it compares to the TM.

[ARironworks]

Thanks for the tip about JD2. Preciate ya!

[weldguy]

[BTA Plasma]

Give us a look. We have replaced countless formentioned tables in the field with 100% successful customers www.StarLabCNC.com

[djreiswig]

My Starlab is still running great.

[tnbndr]

I don't feel deeply familiar with the differences between brands but I'm seeking excellent backlash control and less technical issues. Would enjoy a torch with the ability to cut at an angle, would mostly cut 14g - 1/4" with some 16g and and some 5/8", rarely outside of those.

TM owned by Lincoln is going to have a Lincoln Plasma cutter. All proprietary, software, plasma etc.
PlasmaCam is the same thing.
Most of the other brands are not proprietary so you can put any plasma cutter you like on them.
Hypertherm is by far the leader in the industry and you can't go wrong with one. You also want to stick to a system that runs SheetCam and Mach 3.
These are proven software packages and there is a lot of info and support available.
Do some research and calling and narrow your choice down to 2-3 tables/manufacturers. Try to find members here that will let you visit and see the tables operate. Get their feedback, etc. I had several people stop by to see my table in operation and ask questions they were concerned about.
If you are going to run a small business I would guess that support will be a big concern.
Then, just go for it.