Hello, I anticipate spending a decent amount of time on here in the coming months, years, who knows. I got in to metal a few years ago, love it, want to have it be my retirement gig someday.
Got into vector design thanks to Inkscape, and made the switch to affinity designer shortly after. Bought a Cricut Maker and started making stickers and stencils.
Heard about Langmuir and the crossfire while researching tables, but didn’t think it was right for my needs. Kind of settled on not having a table for at least 10 or more years.
Found a local laser cutter that has cut a few designs for me, and while researching CAD/CAM programs to be able to send him files that were ready to go, I saw the Crossfire Pro. Ordered immediately. (Batch 2)
I’m planning on running the pro with a Hypertherm Powermax45xp. I’m debating how the workflow will go right now, trying to determine if I want to go with SheetCam or stick to fusion. I use Macs, so I’d like to keep it all on Mac OS. I have a windows license and can boot into windows, but I’d rather not.
Fusion doesn’t seem all that bad, although I will need to get a little more graphics processing power to work smoothly. I’ve been tinkering with it and making tool paths, but still have a lot of questions about settings and where to get the specs for them (probably a little ahead of myself). I’m hoping as people start using FireControl, the best workflow will present itself. But I don’t even know if that matters (if sheet cam to mach3 vs sheet cam to FireControl will be any different?)
Anyway, hopefully I can help those who may have issues with vector design since I was able to make sense of how best to convert by designs fairly quickly. It seemed crazy, but as soon as I looked at my design in affinity in one window, and as a dxf in fusion in another, it all clicked.
hi brownfox, what a difference a week makes. I ordered a Pro table with a projected date of April. I noticed a week later that they’re now projecting June…though the price is sill at tier 2 ($2495). But what I wanted to share with you in case you hadn’t purchased your plasma unit is that I learned that Baker Gas and Welding has free shipping for orders over $50, and that if you purchase the plasma power supply from them, you may be able to get their consumables kit at 50%. This does not seem to be advertised on their website so be sure to inquire should you order from them. I chose Baker because when I itemized the parts I needed I saved a few hundred $ over other vendors.
Nice, thanks! I have been looking around to see where I want to buy from. It would be nice to get some extra consumables right from the start.
I’m trying to make sure I’m picking the right 45xp package. I guess there’s only one type of machine torch and cpc port right? Probably going to order in the next week.
I downloaded sheet cam and looked around in it, also downloaded the post processors to do some more experimenting.
Next step is prepping the garage. I’m planning on sticking the table in one corner, and the utilizing underneath for some storage on wheels. I’m going to need to get creative to still fit both of my cars in there when the “shop” isn’t in use.
I gave up. Only my wife’s car gets to live in the garage I had to open up some more space for the Pro since it won’t fit into the space I had for the XL.
There is at least one thread in which Jim Colt (Hypertherm retired) chimed in about configurations. So I ordered the 45xp with BOTH hand torch as well as additional machine torch. This bumps up the cost a little but I figured it would be worthwhile as I could easily and quickly unplug the power supply and use it in the back yard for free hand cutting (car, yard art etc) while leaving the machine torched hooked up to the table. That dual torch 45xp package is part # 088123. the mech torch consumable pkg is # 851511. the hand torch consumable pkg is # 851510. you will also need the CPC interface cable # 228350.
you may be able to get by with just the 45xp and mechanical torch. I think I read that an adaptor may be needed to go with the smaller diameter mechanical (pencil) torch so I’m reading up on that now.
the projected April shipping date is welcomed and buys me time to read more and learn what I really need, including software alternatives to Fusion 360 and Mach 3
I’m lucky to have picked up a harbor fright plasma a few years ago at a pawn shop for $100. It’s plenty for random hand cutting. Although it crushed my soul at the time to learn how hard it would be to cut anything to perfection beyond straight lines and simple sweeping curves.
This is the first I’ve read about the pencil torch. Is that another term for the fine cut consumables? I definitely want to be able to run those. The Hypertherm will be solely used on the crossfire pro.
Although, the longer I sit here going back and forth to google, there would be a benefit to having a hand torch as well for troubleshooting purposes or a cut I can’t make with the HF special…
I really appreciate the part numbers, I think now that I have spent some time in fusion and have 90% of my questions answered there, I’m going to get more into detail on the torch and consumables. To be honest, I want to spend the money on a Hypertherm because I feel like it cuts out the research. It’s the gold standard, it will work, and the consumables are great.
@Walter what issues are you having with design and fusion?
The garage I’m working out of is about 22x22 with a 12 foot ceiling. Just tall enough to look promising for a loft, but not quite enough to actually work for it. I’ve amassed a decent selection of tools over the past years wrenching on Toyotas for off-road purposes, so I have a few tool boxes that take up some space. What I really need to do is get my shed organized and try to eliminate a tool box. I have my drill press on one small cart, welding rigs on another, harbor freight 20 ton press on wheels, and two work benches on wheels as well. One has a half inch 3 foot by 6 foot top for welding on. I’ve managed to find a configuration that fits both cars. If I can ditch my “secondary” welding table, and incorporate the drill press to it, I think I’ll have enough space. But a half loft, would solve a lot of storage problems…
Anyway, it’s pretty inspiring to see what people are making with these machines. I’m dying to try and have something worthy of posting!
I’ve pretty much done what you’ve done brownfox. I retired. Been welding for years. Wanted to take stuff to the next level and we live on a farm. So with time on my hands I started with the crossfire and an Everlast plasma cutter. Shortly after starting I went with the Hypertherm 45xp. I work out of my garage and have converted it to my metal shop, powder coating shop and metal storage. I ordered the Hypertherm and will never look back after using it. Plug and Play. Simply put. They’ve done one thing and have done it exceptionally well. I’m still on my original set of consumables. I’m not making money with my machine, yet, but it is a plan hopefully one day. Right now it’s just me making stuff for family and friends and our church.
Brownfox, so I reckon gettting rid of wife and her car is not an option?
So toys …you should of just gone American,1 ton cab truck with 44s right off the bat, and saved room with all the breakage
Hmm, my pics are too large to upload. I have an 88 4runner I put a solid axle under, a land cruiser 100 that I worked pretty hard on just to flop. Before that I had a 4th gen 4runner that I put a few different suspension setups on, now I’ve got. 5th gen 4runner trail with the rear locker that I’m building up. Definitely going to be making stuff for it when the Crossfire gets set up.
Got my PM45XP, fit nicely on my existing welding cart for now but will likely be mounted or set up to roll under the Pro when it gets here.
I’m currently researching air compressors, trying to see what I can do for clean dry air without buying a cooler, plumbing an after cooler, ect. I’m looking at this one right now. I’d plan on running a very short hose to the plasma. But in my research, I’m not picking up moisture in the hose, I’m picking it up in the tank because the freshly compressed air is hot right? Quiet is a huge requirement since I’ll be running this in my garage, probable at all hours of the night.
Anyway, I’ve installed the FireControl post processor, and I believe I’ve set up this file to cut per Hypertherm book specs, and generated the g code from fusion. Could someone look at this or try to cut it and see how it works or offer feedback?
File is a Toyota TEQ logo, set to cut out of .125 mild steel, with starting cuts on the outside for the circle and then on the inside of the TEQ letters.
I get that you want a quiet compressor but that sure is paying a premium for something that can be contained pretty easily In your shop.
That compressor is only giving you 10.6cfm for $1400, from the same website you can buy a 16 cfm compressor for $1000, a Ingersoll Rand that you can also buy at tractor supply. I would worry that the 10 cfm is near the lower limit for what you want to do, that means the compressor will be running much more.
I dont read g code so I cant help you with the rest of your post.
I’m running a 60gallon DeWalt single stage in my garage / shop, it doesn’t kick on too much and I leave my door up so the noise for me isn’t so bad. It has an auto moisture release on the bottom that blows outside. I run my plasma table, powder coating and air tools off the same compressor. I have several stages of air filtering and drying along the way. Except for the air tools. The only thing I had to do was tighten the belt. For some reason it came loose after about a month of running it.
I couldn’t be happier. I use my compressor several times every day.
Yeah, I really could have benefitted from upgrading my 30 gal Husky a while ago, but for some reason just stuck with it.
Tractor supply has some deals right now. IR 80 gal two stage 5 hp for 1k, IR 60 gal 5 hp for 750, or a dewalt 60 gal 3.7 hp for 520.
I’m probably going with the 80. Just want to see how big it is in person. May go with the 5hp 60 gal if the 80 is mammoth. I figure it will run a lot less than the spendy California air tools one I was looking it. As it is now anyway, I can tolerate the noise in the garage and it doesn’t wake the family up either, so why spend a bunch on a problem that doesn’t need to be solved? Neighbors don’t complain either, I don’t think they even notice when my husky is running at 3am.
Well, I’m certainly learning about air compressors now. It’s taking some thought because I want to be able to move whatever I get around, and plug into a 220 v outlet and not hardwire it.
The 80 gal 2 stage didn’t look too much bigger than the 60 so I bought it. Planned to pick it up tomorrow with my trailer. Told my buddy and he pulled the specs for the weight, 600lbs. Damn. After looking in the manual it appeared it needed to be hard wired. It was single phase though. Figured I got ahead of myself and just got a refund.
Thinking about the IR 60 gal now for $750, but still not sure. I may just grab a 60 gal husky from Home Depot and call it good. I know my current compressor won’t hold up to large cuts.
Does anyone know if a 220 plug can just go on the IR 60 gallon? A work buddy said he tossed a plug on a husky instead of hard wiring it. I’d rather spend the money on a better compressor with a 5hp motor. Not sure if the 5hp is what requires the hard wiring though. The husky is only 3.7. The few reviews on the IR 60 aren’t great either… bah.
I had to open up some more space for the Pro since it won’t fit into the space I had for the XL.
…you should of just gone American,1 ton cab truck with 44s right off the bat, and saved room with all the breakage 