[jeep534]

I am working through the same process. all in all steel is heavier in mass than aluminum. I would think thin gauge steel of the same outside dimensions is lighter than 8020 and easier to weld. also the aluminum expands and contracts more with changes in temperature wondering if we should duke this out on a different thread.....

Happy Hunting
archie =) =) =)

starting on a 5X10 plasma table soon

[dnelso]

Gentlemen,
There were a few reasons why i chose steel over alum. The first is i want to be able to use the table for routing, and I didn't think the alum frame would be stout enough. The second was the water in the table weights some where around 900 pounds.I am using the 620 oz motors and i have all the speed i need for plasma and torque for routing. I can cut at 700 ipm reliably so that's plenty fast. If you are only using plasma the alum frame would be fine. The other advantage of the 80-20 is you can use direct drive. I think how you build your table depends on what and how hard you plan to use it.
Dave

[jon byler]

with direct drive, do you mean not gearing the motors down to give them extra torque to move the heavy steel gantry?

Thanks for the reply!

[dnelso]

with the lighter gantry you dont need the gear reduction.