New Member In Georgia

[Steve Lynch]

Hi! My name is Steve (Obviously), and I'm new to CNC Plasma, but a veteran of laser and CNC. I am a machine builder (among other things) and I have a new 5x10 plasma table with Hypertherm 45XP, and water table. My machine was fabricated by a local Guy who makes industrial CNC Router tables, so it's one solid booger!

I'm getting my run through Monday, when we install it, and I already have a pile of work I'm super excited to be able to do myself, instead of sending it out to the local laser or plasma guys, and waiting........

I'm super heavy into all sorts of G-Code type machines. I build and sell 3d Printers, I make custom CNC machines, and Laser Cutters. Being limited to only 3mm Mild steel with my lasers has kept me from building a plasma as of yet. I work with a lot of plastics, composites, and phenolics, but I've always had to send metal "out of house". I'm just now learning to weld from a master welder. He's got me welding better in a week than my entire welding class I took at the community college a few years back. I think there may be hope yet!
I can Stick weld (functional for my needs, but not pretty) lol, and I'm ok at MIG, but I'm super determined to master Tig.. This is my weak spot... Welding!

I am a small manufacturer for a living. I make all sorts of machines, and products for mainly the Film / Entertainment industry, but I'm looking to learn as much as I can to move into the "Metal Side" of life so I can start bringing more of my Convoluted inventions to life!

I work out of a 4000 sq ft. shop on our farm in North Georgia. My current shop consists of:

3018 mini cnc I use for making circuit boards

4x8 7 HP Spindle CNC Router with Vacuum table and FTC

5x10 Dual head laser table, with 380 watt metal cutting head, and 100 watt for everything else. I don't really do much with the metal side, except use it for cutting thick acrylic.

2x4 60 watt CO2 laser that I use for engraving, and quick prototyping

1500 X 1500mm CNC with 2.5 HP spindle. This is a more "lightweight" machine I Built for cutting aluminum plate, and other messy stuff, as I can mist my parts, and not worry about fouling my table surface.

16' CNC chop saw for repetitive cut lists (we work with a lot of "T Slot" type extrusion

Big Ol' Drill Press

Mini Lathe

Micro Mill (not CNC)

16" industrial Disc sander

48" Welton Belt sander

Everlast Powermax 164Si Multi Process welder with Tig / Stick/ Plasma.

36x48 powder coating oven, and powder equipment

48x48 Belovac production Vacuum former / oven

A small 3D printer farm (9 Prusa MK3s, A resin printer, and a couple Railcore Core XY for big runs.)

Thanks for having me!

[acourtjester]

Hi Steve Welcome aboard, with your experiences you should slide right into Plasma cutting, big plus adding on to a functional business. The search function at the upper right may help if you looking for other projects or info to help with the transition into Plasma. Many DIY and Business types here located world wide so some very good info to look into. Don't forget to post your work it may inspire others with new projects. Posts about metal scribes and drag knifes add to table for other options.

[Old Iron]

Welcome to the site

[ben de lappe]

Hello Steve, welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the plasma, but even more so on learning to weld. The plasma will surely add to your capabilities, sounds like one well rounded shop. You get the welding mastered your possibilities will be endless. Here again sounds like you're on the right track as having gone through the (Boring ) class should have a handle on the technical side and NOTHING compares to one on one instruction from a master when it comes to learning to actually weld.

Looking forward to your posts,

[robertspark]

Wow that's quite a shop you have to hand, welcome aboard