CNC plasma cutters for under £4k?

[Chaz's Garage]

The cheaper end of the CNC plasma cutters seem to only be available in the US/ Canada, I like the look of the ArcDroid, but have been heavily researching it and am coming back with mixed reviews. Some people swear by them, other people can't seem to get 2 identical cuts.

Is there anywhere in the UK that sells CNC plasma cutters for under 4k and are decent? From what I can see, the arcdroid starts from around £2.5k, but the next jump up are the Xtreme plasma tables for £6k+

Cheers,

 

[BrokenBiker]

@doubleboost has a fair bit to do with xtreme Plasma i think, might be worth a chat

 

[tigdlo]

£4k for the table and power source? What bed size? What are your expectations? £4k could go a long way getting parts laser/plasma/waterjet cut if you can find a good place locally.

I like the look of the ArcDroid, but have been heavily researching it and am coming back with mixed reviews. Some people swear by them, other people can't seem to get 2 identical cuts.

It's a skill like any other, even though it's automated, operators still need to know what they are doing to identify issues and resolve them, it could be the tool on the tool not the tool but I have no experience of arcdroid so i don't know for sure.

 

[Chaz's Garage]

£4k for the table and power source? What bed size? What are your expectations? £4k could go a long way getting parts laser/plasma/waterjet cut if you can find a good place locally.


It's a skill like any other, even though it's automated, operators still need to know what they are doing to identify issues and resolve them, it could be the tool on the tool not the tool but I have no experience of arcdroid so i don't know for sure.

For 4k I don't have high expectations, but it would be nice if it were fairly reliable. Ideally, I'd like 2x2ft minimum, but even the arcdroid isn't that size. I've been 3d printing for a few years, it's nice being able to pop stuff out of thin air within minutes when needed. Since getting into welding, something like an arcdroid would be perfect for creating bolt holes, brackets, flanges, shapes, etc...

 

[Richiew]

I've ordered some plasma cut parts recently. It's forced a rethink about possibly buying a cnc. It was cheaper than I expected, and cutting places do high volume and get cheaper rates in material. I don't have to faff about handling big heavy steel sheets and the quality should be guaranteed. Not sure I'm bothered so much any more about getting one.

 

[Richiew]

I discounted the Arcdroid at first, but after having a think, it could be OK if the quality is there. It would be handy to cut small brackets and flanges out of relatively thin plate. Outsource the big and the heavy stuff to people who are suitably equipped.

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Just my two cents worth. It's very much like @tigdlo has mentioned. All is good in theory, I can cut what I like when I like, but when there are problems, these problems only happen when you need to produce something. If you aren't deriving your income from this piece of equipment, then it is not such a problem, however if the reverse is true then that is a different story. In theory also there is support for this machine which should make life a lot easier should things go wrong or just 'how do I get this thing to do X'. You also may consider that you have runs on jobs. You need parts cut then it all stops. I haven't cut anything on my machine for months now. It would be nice since it is easy work and the money is OK. Put plate on table, cut, dress a bit, customer comes to collect, funds are exchanged and everyone is happy. Good luck

 

[500e]

The cheaper end of the CNC plasma cutters seem to only be available in the US/ Canada, I like the look of the ArcDroid, but have been heavily researching it and am coming back with mixed reviews. Some people swear by them, other people can't seem to get 2 identical cuts.

Is there anywhere in the UK that sells CNC plasma cutters for under 4k and are decent? From what I can see, the arcdroid starts from around £2.5k, but the next jump up are the Xtreme plasma tables for £6k+

Cheers,

Same as you @Chaz's Garage
Signed up to their knowledge page, get regular links to members Q&A seems to be a fair bit of help from the AD seller / designer?? .
As you say seems to be love or cant get consistent results, that would drive me to sledge hammering the machine.
Wish I knew someone within reasonable distance to see it working

https://arcdroidcnc.com/products/x2-large-cut-indexing-system

ArcDroid™ Forums

Talk about all things ArcDroid™

forum.arcdroidcnc.com

 

[Erie Fred]

List out your requirements & expectations of a $4k table
1. table size
2. thickness you want to cut.
3. with or without a computer
4. etc.

 

[ahebron]

You can always build one yourself

JD's Garage LLC

jdsgarage.bigcartel.com

 

[chunkytfg]

I've done zero research so no idea if this would work but could you make one out of a hobby woodworking CNC?

You can get Workbee CNC's for £1500-2000 without the router head and then you just need to find a way to add a plasma torch head along with a way to control the actual torch.

I have a workbee 1000mmx1000mm (650mmx 700mm cutting area) that I got second hand on eBay for about £600.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hobbycnc/comments/18ecaoz/converting_a_workbee_with_open_builds_controller

https://ooznest.co.uk/product/original-workbee-z1plus-cnc-machine/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1346177900&gbraid=0AAAAADrT3SKkVbWZAYN847ZKHQbeOb_rY&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmY3w3AkhV7WadowwUBclfnBzeHw0U__B2xiA7Wi9pY_1ZslEGKCacxoCI2IQAvD_BwE#size-colour

 

[Dev]

You also need a torch height controller, shielded electronics and CAM software.

https://eagleplasma.net/product/the-proma-thc-sd/ has been used in a couple of DIY builds I’ve seen.

 

[Chaz's Garage]

You also need a torch height controller, shielded electronics and CAM software.

https://eagleplasma.net/product/the-proma-thc-sd/ has been used in a couple of DIY builds I’ve seen.

I've done zero research so no idea if this would work but could you make one out of a hobby woodworking CNC?

You can get Workbee CNC's for £1500-2000 without the router head and then you just need to find a way to add a plasma torch head along with a way to control the actual torch.

I have a workbee 1000mmx1000mm (650mmx 700mm cutting area) that I got second hand on eBay for about £600.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hobbycnc/comments/18ecaoz/converting_a_workbee_with_open_builds_controller

https://ooznest.co.uk/product/original-workbee-z1plus-cnc-machine/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1346177900&gbraid=0AAAAADrT3SKkVbWZAYN847ZKHQbeOb_rY&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmY3w3AkhV7WadowwUBclfnBzeHw0U__B2xiA7Wi9pY_1ZslEGKCacxoCI2IQAvD_BwE#size-colour

You can always build one yourself

JD's Garage LLC

jdsgarage.bigcartel.com

I think I'll steer clear of building one for now. I've done a lot with 3d printers and just can't be assed with the agro that follows it. I'll still try and keep researching, but it seems like the only option for me is Arcdroid.

 

[Chaz's Garage]

List out your requirements & expectations of a $4k table
1. table size
2. thickness you want to cut.
3. with or without a computer
4. etc.

I can be flexible given the price point.

1. I would like 2x2ft, but isn't necessary
2. Up to 8mm
3. Either or.

I still think even with not being fussy, ArcDroid seems to be the only option for my budget.

 

[henry Kadzielski]

I think I'll steer clear of building one for now

I built one, how did it go? Well I could have poured petrol on it several times, prior to it being finished. It's not as simple as some say. Granted, what I built was no actual toy, but still the biggest problem for me was the software. If you have the software side under control, that for me at least is about 80% of the headache. There are complete kits for the mechanical side of things. However the Arcdroid is quite small, easier to move around, good bang for buck and theoretically pretty good. What is not said is also what is very important. On thinner sheet, speed of the cut increases to get good cut quality. This is where Newton gets heavily involved (for every action there is a equal and opposite reaction). My current table is quite big and thus heavy. However on the change of direction on 3mm plate at 45amps it wants to shake the s*** out of the table. Before I started to build my table, I couldn't understand why commercial tables were so flaming heavy, now I know
If you want a project, this can be quite a good one and the satisfaction of building something that works is extremely satisfying. My final comment is about size. You think that you need a 2x2ft table. There will come a time and you may be surprised how quickly that may be too small. My original table was supposed to be 1200mm by 1200mm, turned out to be 1500 by 1500 and the first job I got was 1200mm by 2400mm, go figure.

 

[Erie Fred]

Check Aliexpress for a "Mini Gantry".
You can order smaller than shown, just inquire:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808555814395.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.10.4708F1TYF1TYJp&algo_pvid=14fc538c-2635-40da-94d2-b4516e07d856&algo_exp_id=14fc538c-2635-40da-94d2-b4516e07d856-9&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%22-1%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21770.84%21670.63%21%21%215506.00%214790.22%21%402101efeb17502032452703966e2977%2112000046485378611%21sea%21US%21865197669%21ACX&curPageLogUid=OSjDa2Y7Jmim&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

Here is Newlin, I bought my mini gantry from them, they don't show those anymore.
However here is the one arm style
that Brad posted about, this one being only 1m travel should prove better than the one he ran (IIRC his was 2-3 m long)

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808973571242.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24570.00%21US%20%24570.00%21%21%21570.00%21570.00%21%402103244b17502033614253799e2d64%2112000048141285554%21sh%21US%210%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007599464231.1005009159885994&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Both machines use the very common Fangling controller, while odd to many on here, I have gotten
used to mine, and it makes good parts.

 

[ahebron]

I built a wee one cnc plasma cutter from a laser cutter.
It cut metal but was small and a bit delicate.

 

[Dev]

A CNC plasma is on my list buts its a lot more complicated than a laser or router.

For the couple of times I’ve wanted odd shapes I CNC’d a template out of wood and used that to guide the plasma torch

 

[8ob]

Does it need to be new? I bought a 4'x4' plasmacam that has seen very little use for £1300.

Bob

 

[Munkul]

A neighbour built his 4'x2' plasma table himself, for under £2k. It was a pretty decent build, he followed someone else's design.
The best bit about it was the MyPlasm controller and software, it works SO SLICK compared to mach3 or other cheap nasty controllers. Its far, far better than the starfire controller on my table. I would reccomend MyPlasm to anyone, and at some point I'll convert my table to MyPlasm as well.