New guy summary availability?

[Brew Worx]

Hey PlasmaCAM team!
New to the plasma world and getting close to pulling the trigger on a buy. Lots of variables here. New to the spider also.
several years on cnc and manufacturing (15). But all industrial level.

There may be a summary post for the new guy group. If so, I appolzige now for asking the simple ones.

Is there a preferred plasma cutter that fits the bill for cost and utility?
Any advice from lessons learned?

My current plan: 1/4 inch steel max plate
3 to 4 hours a day run max
230 single available with good dry air.

Thanks for any advice possible.

[tnbndr]

Not running a plasmacam but the cutter is universal.
I recommend a Hypertherm PM45 for what you are stating.

Guess I misunderstood the question. As a complete system I would recommend LDR Motion Systems.

[AnotherDano]

Ask any six of us, all running different machines, and you'll get six different answers.
Read through the forum on the tables and see which ones have the most problems for a start and then read the software issues. To me, the software is the key.

My table is a PlasmaCam with the 'old' 3.11 program ~ not the Design Edge upgrade. No problems found in over 5 years of using it.

Good luck and welcome.

Dano

[CNCCAJUN]

My 2 cents . . .

The only one I would not consider is a BURNTABLE . . . .

The rest all have their pluses & minuses . . .

Knowing what I know today, I would still buy a Dynatorch . . .

But if I was in the market today from scratch, like you I would be very confused.

I think a good system would be to PM 2 or 3 people that have each brand, ask if you can give them a call . . .

I'm betting you will hear good things about all of them . . .

Steve

[illusivedf]

Dynatorch again if I was to buy another.

[Shane Warnick]

I have a samson (5'x10' plasmacam) with design edge with all the software upgrades except 3d. Been fine once I got it to quit fighting with windows 8.

Shane