No I’m not doing it wrong. My plates when spaced with .15 between them are about 48.25 total nest with 3 on the table. I’ve cut hundreds of them like this. Never have I ever had an issue with them not fitting on the sheet. What would be wrong would be to invest in a machine not capable of completely processing a standard sized sheet of steel. I’d order one immediately if I could fit 6 on one nest. Other light duty 4x4 machines can handle this. I just think it would silly to spend 7-10k on a 4x4 plasma when lasers keep coming down dramatically in price. 3800 for this promax seems just right. I’d feel like a dummy to spend a bunch on a 4x4 plasma and then see a 4x4 equivalent of a gweike m3 for 15k come out in 6 months.
Ok I thought your username looked familiar. You’re buying a laser anyway you said?
I wouldn’t be looking at a Promax if you’re cutting whatever you’re doing already on plasma, and switching to laser soon.
I’m not buying a laser yet, but I’m in the market. I within the next year or two. Waiting for the goldilocks machine. But for 3800 bucks if this promax works for me it will break even in a couple weeks. Been getting quotes on building another shop next summer. Then I could have the plasma in the farm shop and laser at the house shop.
You’ll love it.
If I ever went laser, it’d have to be 2kw+ but I’m sure my use case would be different than others.
But not at the home shop, I can’t dedicate that much space and power to such a setup.
Back to the Promax, I’m watching @Bigdaddy2166 thread so I can give my business partner the nudge to buy it or not. I bet he’ll chime in to share how much outside the 48” x 48” one could cut (if possible).
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Weekends are crazy at the Marina. I know it travels more than 49 inches, but I’ve been wrong before. I promise I will give the exact travel. Like I said yesterday. If you remove the inside bolt on the carriage, it will move at least 1/2 inch farther in each direction. Installing an elevator bolt would solve the bolt issues. I personally never cut entire sheets of nested parts. Unfortunately, my drag chains use this support bolt to secure them.
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Well, I was wrong, the X travel is exactly 48." From bolt to bolt. Removing the carrage bolts will only get you about 3/8 of an inch. But this would put you at risk of damaging the torch carriage’s backside rollers by crashing into the lead screw supports. The Y travel is 48.5 inches.
@MMFab
All my A36 sheets are, in fact, 48-5/8 wide. Now the aluminum sheets are exactly 48 inches wide from my supplier, O’Neil Steel.
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My Stainless steel pan is almost complete. Weld tabs on the bottom ends to hold it down, and a 1-inch nipple on the bottom center.
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Man thats such a bummer. I just checked 3 sheets in the shop today also and didn’t have anything under 48.5, all McNeil also.
How hard do you think it would be to squeeze an extra inch out of it?
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After about half an hour of looking at it, it would be necessary to modify the torch carriage. The back rollers will hit the lead screw support on one end and the motor support on the other. In my opinion, it would not be a feasible upgrade. The option would b be to buy new 2-inch tubes and a longer Acme lead screw. Well, that’s my opinion on the subject. It works for me, but I don’t nest hundreds of parts on a sheet.
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Yea I’ve been down that road before with my 2x4 crossfire. Definitely not worth buying a new machine if I have to mod it right out of the gate. Back to shopping I guess.
Thanks for checking!
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A 4x4 fiber laser would be EPIC!!! They would sell the S**T out of those. 1500w would be enough. Maybe that could get the cost down to 10k.
You’ll still have your ancillary costs for running said laser.
I think it’s awesome in general, but man I’d want at least 2kw or more.
That and I’d want it using Cypcut.
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It’s alive…
Now I’m going to sit down and smoke a cigar. The first cut went flawlessly.
And yes, I fixed the torch holder. Beck’s tools have provided an upper mount point for the lower mount.
I don’t use the lasers, so it works for me.
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a 5x4 would be the perfect size for a “small “machine . With the five foot side being a pass through so someone can index 10-ft sheets.
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Sold my Crossfire Pro and a 1957 Bridgeport to a local doctor. Hope he doesn’t hurt himself. Bought a 1980 Bridgeport with a larger table several months ago. It sold faster than I expected, and I delivered it today.
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Nice service! Would you deliver one of each of those to my place tomorrow? 
If you can install it, that would be delightful! 
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For 10k, I will take you and the Mrs to Disneyland.
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Been there, done that! Now Grand Ole Opry, well, now we’re talkin’! Of course, I do also need a tour of the Muskrat Farm!
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Had a cruiser yesterday that almost sank due to one of my fur-covered workers. A new set will be sold next week after we repair the rubber exhaust boots.
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Time to give your Muskrats a raise! 
Seems like they’re really doing you favors. ‘Bout time you paid them back. I think a weekend in Las Vegas would be worthy. Whatcha say boys?"
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