Rodney Skinner

to create a cut path click on the object and drag and drop "convert to cut path" or control P very simple.

programs/drawings on plasma cam can be exported very easily into an Autocad .DXF file wich most other machine software can import.

I guess there are different opions on the plasma cam software. I have 3 friends with the machine and they are all happy with it. There biggest complant is the software. I am some what technolgy challenged my self but am learning more every day. From what I understand the Plasma Cam software is a drawing type software. I personaly experienced this problem myself when he burnt a piece for me. What normaly would have taken him 15 min. to program took 45 because he had a problem estabishing a cut path and he has had the machine for 3 years. He says that this happens sometimes and is frustrating.

If you were to create a drawing on there software and down load it to a PDF and take it to someone to cut out because you don't have the cut capacity or want it cut out on a laser it would not be compadable because it is not a cad type program. If I am wrong here please someone correct me.

I recently purchased a Torchmate 2X2. I like the size of it. The majority of the parts I have been associated with would fit in a two foot cut area and I can always move the machine over on the sheet to cut more. I am not going to be cutting production parts. I hope to recieve it mid Feb. or towards the end of the month. I puchased it on the recommendation from my steel supplier and there experience with there machinery. There technical service after the sale is excellent. They have the ability to help you over the internet by taking over your computor and fixing your programing problems. You can also have them write you a complicated program and get it them same way. I hope this helps.

I had a plasma cam machine. I didn't care for the hardware, but the software is top notch. Easy to use and intuitive. I now have a flash cut controller on a homebuilt cnc cutting table. The flash cut controller is what Torch mate uses. I miss the plasma cam software, but the home built table is fantastic. I would recommend the plasma cam unit for someone with no cnc experience.

Jesse, your vice is amazing, a beautiful, functioning show piece.

Nice big girl you have there Dodge.

looks like your having fun with your new toy. please keep us updated on your punch and die adventure.

well done and a quick build.

the new blower works well. nice fire and oh what a wonderful smell of coal smoke!! I shut down the forge until monday when all the neighbors will be back at work. I try and keep my forging quiet on the weekends. Now, where are all those parts for my gasser I want to build... LOL.

My wife and I are dog sitting for friends. We have three dogs... so with one more its gone to the dogs!! can't wait for them to come get this critter!

mounting a new blower on my coal forge. No chat room so work gets done. LOL

photo insert attempt fix didn't work...

this is my forge mounted on an old table saw base. centaur forge fire pot, 1/4 inch plate for top. I have used this for ten years. It has been moved around many times and taken on various modifications for the hood as a result of the moves.

forge - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I think this comment from primtechsmith says a lot about someone's character. Great observations primtechsmith.

2. The way he explains things and forges is based on true experience. He makes it a point to explain how "he" does it...not how it should be done. I find that to be a trap a lot of people get into.

very nice work! keep the pics coming with new work.

watching the 180 deg bend with the hydralics was a rough sell for me. No thanks! too much trouble.

well put Avadon! exactly how I feel too.

very nice work! I love the squid. Thanks for sharing your work.

rosco,

I had the same experience when I fired up my coal forge for the first time.

Pure panic as to what the neighbors etc were going to say or do!

Walking Dog's suggestions are spot on. I no longer have the green wall of death floating down the street now that I save coke from previous fires. A tall flue was a big help also.

have fun!

words fail express how beatiful that knife is.

very nice and handy. I must include that on mine.

good idea Dodge, the way you did the rack you do not need to spend extra money on the fittings for the hanger. I have good ole duct tape covering the holes on the top of my connecters to keep debri out.

as far as heavy duty. I tend to overbuild everything to a fault.

Thanks for the pics of the air tool holder. I just had to make my own after seeing that!

Being able to quickly grab the right tool is fantastic!

Now I must replace the drywall. lol

Have you had any luck getting your hammer to run correctly again?

here! third row back on the left.

The seals can still dry out if sitting idle for a long time. Also the oiler may not be adjusted correctly for your application.

Just something to check out.

good luck!

in my above post what I meant was the air could be leaking past the seals. You may need to replace your cylinder if the oil trick doesn't work.

The above comments are assuming your air pressure, flow controls etc. are all o.k.