So I took the plunge...

[jessechop]

And ordered an Arclight 4800 last week after researching what seemed like 100 different tables. Now I am pacing like a kid on Christmas Eve! Cant wait!

[CNCCAJUN]

CONGRADULATIONS ! ! !

My suggestion to you @ this point. . . advice based on mistake I made . . .

Start learning about the software you will be using as fast as you can before your machine arrives.

Mach III

CorelDRAW

Whatever_CAD

Most of the initial problems you will encounter with your new table will not be your table's shortcomings, but your lack of knowledge about the table & software.

Had I done this I would have been cutting much sooner with far less stress . . .

Steve

[jessechop]

Thanks for the tips. I have downloaded Solid Edge and Sheetcam and have made some parts from start to finish. I have not tried anything with Mach III yet.

Still debating if I should fly out and take the training. I will probably drop an email off to Scott today to see his thoughts

[CNCCAJUN]

My experience says yes, hands on would help.

It is impossible for a table manufacturer to produce a totally comprehensive manual.

That is why plasmaspider is so popular . . .

Granted the shared files are nice, but the info available here is worth far more than a bunch of graphic files.

You can learn to trace slowly . . . but figuring out for why your cuts look like crap will drive you insane without the help you can get here.

Steve

[_Ogre]

congrats on the new table

arclight has a very good video training page, i recommend viewing all videos before getting a table; arclight or not
view them before you get the table, stuff will make sense... and then view them again a month after your table arrives
it will actually sink in then

http://arclightcnc.com/training/

and then decide if you want hands on training

[cbassjr]

I own an arclight and their tech support and help is absolutely outstanding. They have helped me out of a lot of jams. I didn't take the training as I was computer literate and I really scoured their online stuff while awaiting my table and was up and cutting as soon as the table was set up.

[jessechop]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have watched every video on there site about 5 times prior to even getting a quote from them. I researched pretty heavily, and although Arclight was actually not my first choice I do feel as though I chose well.

I have a vinyl cutter and have been cutting vinyl for 7 or 8 years now. I find much of this carries over to the plasma. I am learning I am not a huge fan of Solid Edge because of the text, however Correl Draw is out of the budget at the current moment in time.

[jessechop]

Just got word (and picture) it is on the truck and headed towards me. Cant wait, excited is an understatement!