Hi Heidi
You could buy the PlasmaCam software, design the items you need and have a
PlasmaCam owner cut them for you.That would save you about $9000.00 in
cutting table and plasma cutter costs not to mention dust control measures.
I think quite a few craft type items are done to use up partial sheets left
from cutting items for manufacturing.
Sven


"Heidi" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I am brand new to this listserve. Hopefully, this is the right avenue
for advice, if there is a more specific newsgroup I should check, please
let me know!

I am a metal artist and find myself increasingly interested in a plasma
cutter. I don't work in or own an industrial shop, I am a small time
artist looking to increase my abilities w/ limited space and resources
$$$. Can anyone recommend a good place to start for a plasma cutter and
CNC system?

I have a bunch of questions...
Can you find these things used and if so where?
I have been told that Hypertherm makes a good plasma cutter compatible
w/ most CNC systems. Anyone have experience w/ these? Any model
recommendations? I'm thinking about the 600.
Has anyone tried the kits such as Torchmate. How difficult is it to put
those together?
Has anyone had experience or can recommend a company that sells CNC
systems?
Aside from the kits which require major assembly and additional
materials, can I find a CNC package for less than $7k?
Would I be able to do work w/ just a plasma cutter and not a CNC? I'm
guessing it would be difficult to manually cut out any intricate designs.
Whether I cut manually or w/ a CNC how clean is the cut--how much
grinding will I have to do after?
Finally, I see a lot of cheap (price wise, not commenting on the
quality) metal crafts at local craft fairs--you know things like wall
mounted key holders and welcome signs w/ western theme cut outs. I have
a hard time believing all these folks have plunked down $8 to $10k for a
plasma cutter/CNC system to make all this stuff. Are there other options?

Thanks in advance for any advice or other resources!
Heidi