[dhaddox]

I am building a 4x8 cnc plasma table. I plan on only cutting steel of a thickness of 1/4" or less, probably 1/8 mostly. But if I had to I would like to be able to cut 3/8 or 1/2, although i really dont have any means of handling material that thick except maybe in smaller pieces. I am considering the pm45 and the pm65 for the table. I have seen it said that you should get as big of a unit as you can afford. I was wondering if there would be much advantages to buying the pm65 over the pm45 if I was mostly cutting thinner material? I am not running a production shop and it will just be used occasionally when I have a project going. Any advice is appreciated thanks.

[jimcolt]

As far as the upper thicknesses goes....the 45 will do a good job on 1/2" material as long as your machine has a torch height control that has the ability to set a separate pierce and cut height. Of course the 65 will cut the thicker materials faster, and with less chance of dross.

Other advantages of the 65:

1. A new torch design with no moving plunger. Over time this will prove to be more reliable.
2. Longer consumable life with the new torch design as used on the 65/85 systems.
3. The 65 has a higher duty cycle rating.....helpful on thicker materials.
4. The 65 has available FineCut consumables for cutting materials thinner than 3/16"....these consumables, not available on the 45, produce a finer cut kerf at lower cut speeds, which is helpful for producing more intricate parts.


Jim Colt