How much cheaper than $350.00 does it have to be!! Even if you factor in MACH3 at $159.00 and another drive for the Z you are still below $650.00 WITH the control software.

Rutex has a DIY plasma controller that will run you about $750.00 to $800.00 and your support will be marginal at best. Nearest other finished THC is right at $2,000 with no control software.

The THC300 from CampbellDesigns (my original analog design) uses knob controls to set the height so you have to "chase the gap" as you cut but once set for a given tip and material it needs no further adjustment. I cut miles of steel with one until I designed the newer Digital THC we currently sell.

I designed the THC300 originally to run my own table because I didn't like the design of the Rutex model and the next step (at that time) was well over $2500.00. That made the THC cost more than my whole table and software combined!

I have sold a lot of units to guys that tried the drag tip and/or roller ball approach. If it worked that good I would think they would stick with it. The combined sales of the THC300 and the DTHC MP1000-THC exceed 500 units to date.

There is a lot more to THC than just reading some volts. It's kinda looking at the outside of an F16 and saying: "hey some aluminum and plastic.....how hard could it be!!"