Ok,I know it is LONG overdue, but I decided to go ahead and get my 4x8 build (so far) up here. I suck at typing and can't spell for shit, so you will see a bunch of updates and edits in the life of this post.





Lets start in the beginning.

First I PM'd torchmate, discussed what I wanted, and got a quote. Then, I stared at that quote for about a month before I decided that you REALLY need this big of a table:D

Then, I got my funds together and made the call.

Five or six weeks go by, and I started to see some packages trickle in



http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3672/june2010356.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/june2010356.jpg/)



http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1713/june2010385.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/i/june2010385.jpg/)



Ok, time to clean up this shithole and make room for the new baby

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8451/june2010233.jpg (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/june2010233.jpg/)

Next, a pile of steel was needed to make my table. Procured steel, started stickin it together.


http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2766/june2010263.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/june2010263.jpg/)


Obligitory weld shots

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2613/june2010370.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/june2010370.jpg/)

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8898/june2010386m.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/june2010386m.jpg/)


After squaring, cross cornering, squaring, cross cornering, and squaring some more, I came up with a table that is within 1/32 of an inch all around, so I am relatively pleased with the job I did:flipoff2:


http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7425/june2010264.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/june2010264.jpg/)


So it was time to begin the assembly of the gantry. I have read and researched several sites on the web, and the only complaint I have seen repeatedly pop up on the Torchmate product reguards the instructions. I will admit that I got lost a few times and even had to call tech support a couple times. Yes, the instructions could be quite a bit more detailed, but conciderin the fact that I got through it, anyone can. More pics-

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/6265/june2010306.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/june2010306.jpg/)

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/5108/june2010303.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/june2010303.jpg/)


http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7308/june2010345.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/june2010345.jpg/)


Got a bit of paint on the table

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3026/june2010337.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/june2010337.jpg/)

Sorry about the blurry pic, but this is TRULEY the only thing that really bothers me about this kit. They can't even spell their own countries name!!!!:mad3:

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/4123/june2010395.jpg (http://img697.imageshack.us/i/june2010395.jpg/)

One of my tech support calls was due to the instructions showing the plate marker on the other side of the height control. After taking it apart and putting it back together about three times, I called and they straightened me out:) This is where she sits.

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8660/june2010276.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/june2010276.jpg/)

I decided that it would be too difficult to load large sheets with the table facing the way it was, so the shop got reorganized yet again, and this is a shot of the table on it's way to it's semi-permanent home. Had the wife help me with clamping, drilling, and tapping the holes for the gear rack and top plates, she made it a couple hours then made me call my buddy over, her patience were gone. Note to self: quit pissing off the redhead!

Nah!

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6585/june2010284.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/june2010284.jpg/)


So my machine torch showed up and it was time to get it hooked up. I am using a Hypertherm Powermax600, not ideal, but I hope to upgrade as the funds allow. All of you who will use this cutter, here is the pic of the two connections you add for the voltage. It is the black and white wires from the extension cord lookin wiring on the bottom of the tray.

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6194/june2010289.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/june2010289.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3778/june2010322.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/june2010322.jpg/)

So I started cutting with my material supported between two metal sawhorses, didn't take long to figure out that I needed to get my slat supports in.


http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4532/june2010048.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/june2010048.jpg/)


So I cut the supports and brackets, and another pile of steel was procured.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2246/june2010326.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/june2010326.jpg/)

A friend of mine has dealt with various cutting systems in the past, and he stressed to me the importance of having water under this table while it cuts, claiming it would virtually eliminate all of the fumes and smoke associated with the operation of the cutter. I decided to give it a shot, so while I was at it, I got a large piece of flat and made a water trough

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/9585/june2010315.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/june2010315.jpg/)

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7950/june2010292.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/june2010292.jpg/)


I put a 1" ball valve in the deep end, so that the table can be drained for cleaning/cutting aluminum. I actually called tech support on the subject of cutting aluminum over water, and the reply was simply "Don't." So I don't.


http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4203/june2010343.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/june2010343.jpg/)


Got the slat support brackets in place, then the pregnant redhead helped install the slats. Sorry, I gotta live with her, so no pics of said pregnant redhead. Don't worry, she drives a 5.9 Grand Cherokee, NOT a green Saturn:flipoff2:


http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/6286/june2010358a.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/june2010358a.jpg/)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8059/june2010347.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/june2010347.jpg/)



And we filled it up to give it a test. Guess what? NO FUMES OR SMOKE!!!!!

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9091/june2010310.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/june2010310.jpg/)

And here it sits today, the water trough is still held up with jackstands, as I have not finished the support frame yet. I drain the water when not in use, cause, lets face it, I know the guy that welded it up, and I don't need 151 gallons of water in the shop.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1743/june2010439.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/june2010439.jpg/)


Torchmate is an OUTSTANDING company to spend your money with, and I am very pleased with this table. I know that my biggest hurdle is me, but with the help of the tech support team, I am learnin.



A newborn, a toddler, a full time job, and life in general have kept me pretty darn busy, but I will be back on it soon. Future plans are to enclose the bottom, finish the framework for the water trough, and give it a kick ass paintjob. I will add more to this thread as I can, so keep an eye on it.


PS, sorry about that last pic, it's huge, but I don't know how to fix it.

I'm pretty sure they can spell China in their own language, just not in english.
There seems to be market over there for people who can compose and proof read in english.
Interesting build, lots of work goes into these tables, if you had to put a price on one; they wouldn't be cheap.

I thought Torchmate was made in the USA. What part is Chinese?

I thought Torchmate was made in the USA. What part is Chinese?

The motors

Just another update, I got the water trough supported, welded the other side of all the seams to ensure no leaks, added a harbor freight dessicant air dryer, and put the software on a dedicated computer. The table cuts so smooth now, and the tip has lasted ALOT longer, probably 3x. It's quite amazing what happens when you take water away from the air line, then put water under the part:)

any updates on this? heh

Yeah, I made a rack for the new stuff and she holds water reliably now. I gotta get more pics up yet, but this is a kickass setup. It keeps me very busy, but in a good way. Hope to upgrade the cutter here soon, but I gotta sell more parts first.

Yeah, I made a rack for the new stuff and she holds water reliably now. I gotta get more pics up yet, but this is a kickass setup. It keeps me very busy, but in a good way. Hope to upgrade the cutter here soon, but I gotta sell more parts first.

Pictures!!!! :D