Got a spark, but no cut, not an Everlast unit though.

[everlastsupport]

We all should be thankful dreaming is free.

I hear that.

For CNC plasma, go with the PP50.

[CSR]

Most of what I'd be cutting would be 3/8" or less, but with a CNC, I could see the fabrication of new and bigger tools. Which means I'd be cutting up to and maybe over 1". That's near the limit of the PP50. That's why I'd go bigger.

Moving to another area of the country, isn't my 1st choose. But it's what I need to do. I'll be joining a like minded group of people who are looking forward to me joining them. 2 of the guys have a number of projects that I've been involved in as far as design goes. Now I'll get to join in on the building. 1 of the 1st projects I'll be working on is a CNC shaper with multiple power sources. It will be able to work with wood, plastic, and metal. By building a head attachment for the plasma gun and figuring out how to switch it on and off. I can use it for a CNC plasma cutter.

With a PP50 in my near future and getting a Power Tig down the road, I'll fix my current machine and give to 1 of the guys down south who's 2 hrs from the main group and could use the welder big time.

[performance]

For CNC, the rules change. For 3/8 inch thickness, You'll want to consider at least a 70 or 80 amp PowerPlasma.

[CSR]

Time to learn something new. Please explain how things are different with a CNC. I have limited experience with only 2 models and was under the assumption that with better speed control, height control, and tracking you could cut within the spec's of the plasma. Now you say that a machine that should easily cut twice that thickness won't handle that in a CNC?

I know more about the fabrication of the control surfaces and never really worried about the cutting end of it.

[performance]

Cutting speed isn't necessarily an issue, although it can be.

There are several things at play with CNC. 1) Piercing is a common function of CNC. MAX piercing value of a plasma cutter is typically rated at 40-50% of the max rated cut of a plasma cutter, regardless of brand. Piercing is hard on the torch and consumables. Although given enough time and no care is given to consumable life, a thicker pierce can be attained, but the result is a wide, melted area. 2) The duty cycle of most plasma cutters (except Hypertherms newest, high dollar machines), is rated at 60% at rated amperage. This limits maximum amperage cutting to 6 minutes out of 10. If you are cutting a thicker piece of metal, it isn't likely that you will be willing to stop at 6 minutes, in the middle of a cut and wait 4 or 5 to start again. It is pushing the machine to its limit, even though there is thermal protection. Just as most people would never think it is okay to run a car or truck engine just a hairline below the "overheat" line continuously, the same is true with electronics. CNC's operate continuously with little stop and rest time, and if anything, their rapid restarts and fast cutting speeds do not "improve" durability of the plasma cutters. To operate continuously in the safe range, the amps of the plasma cutter must be reduced within the 100% duty cycle level, and additionally a small amount for a safety factor, thereby reducing the cut capacity further.

The 50 could be expected to cut 1/4 continuously, to keep within the duty cycle of the machine and the limits of the torch.