What's it worth? Langmuir Crossfire 2'x2' Plasma Table?

[mccutter]

What's it worth? Langmuir Crossfire 2'x2' Plasma Table? LINK

Looking at an older version of this about 5min away. It has the Mach3 "legacy" controller. New version starts at $1495+. Seller says all I'll need is the torch trigger cable. He bought it, couldn't figure it out/had issues with G-code and now it collects dust/used as a shelf/table. I took a look at it and it is not in terrible shape. A little surface rust on the screws that should clean off easily. Bearings seem fine. The frame is solid. He does have a demo video of it he made drawing a pattern with a sharpie.

So what's it worth? I already have a price in mind but I don't want to lowball NOR leave any money on the table...

Should I just save up and get one new? That likely will not happen any time soon...

[toprecycler]

If there is an issue with the software, can you fix it? Will company still service it/ update it.

I’d probably offer $500, but without it not actually working, might be an expensive work table .


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[Matt Shade]

Folks I've talked to with tables spent twice on software as they did on the table. I know some of our members have tables and can probably tell you cheaper options, but the hardware seems to be the easy part.

During my college years I operated a 16hp CNC router in a cabinet shop for several years. I got to where I could read bits of G code and manually program basic things like returning the head to home, or modifiying tool paramters to make a dado fit better etc. If you want to cut anymore than squares you are going to want good software to put the code together.

[mccutter]

I was thinking the $500 range, as well.

There is "free" software downloadable from Langmuir, etc. Enough to perhaps get the machine working for simple brackets, etc.

This IS a tool I've had a need for in the past. I have a Hobart (Miller) AirForce 625 that seldom sees any use I hope I could adapt to it. The seller mentioned there may be issues with a "hi-frequency" plasma but the AF625 starts without it. I'd just have to open it up to "T" into the trigger wires.

I'll do a search here because I think there have been threads on the Mach3 software.

[Matt Shade]

I kinda think the router I ran was Mach3 but I didn't do any of the programming beyond loading files and setting the router up. That was long enough ago that Mach3 may be pretty cheap now

I'm not sure that that is all you need though. I think Mach3 may process code and operate the table, but I believe you need software to create G-code from CAD files. Hopefully some of the guys with tables will chime in. I don't want to steer you wrong, it's been 15 years since I ran that stuff.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by Matt Shade

I think Mach3 may process code and operate the table, but I believe you need software to create G-code from CAD files.

One of their software links sent me to Autodesk Fusion. Maybe the "personal" edition would work for me but I'm not ready to create an acct to access it at this time. I CERTAINLY don't have the extra cash for an $85/month subscription to the "real" thing...

I had a similar issue with a laser engraver. The PO couldn't find the original Lightscribe SW and a license to use it beyond 30days was $100. Almost makes it worth it to buy new to have all the "original" software and programs...

[dubby]

ANYTHING that is CNC only works because of the software. Your experience with the machine will depend solely on your interaction with the computing part. If you have good software, you can make any POS machine work.

In the limited amount I can see from the photos provided though, I'd be hesitant to offer more than a couple hundred and expect it to be a learning experience/headache. It looks like it was set up, experimented with, and then left with a full belly of water in the catch pan when it didn't do what the owner wanted. Just cleaning all the rust off would be a task, and those lead screws might well have to be replaced. If there's heavy pitting or any sort of interference, they could well cause the steppers to lose their "place". Each trip across the bad spot would compound.


Mach3 was pretty well the gold standard for early home CNC use. It was open source software, but many manufacturers would get in and 'tweak' it to make it more effective on their machines--and then resell it since it was their version. It's not terribly difficult to use but not necessarily intuitive either. I'm not seeing any type of laptop/computer in your photos and wondering how the owner has the ability to offer it? Maybe he has the original disc/dongle it came on? The box on the side is just the motor controllers and isn't very smart at all. All it should be capable of is telling the motors where to go when the Mach3 tells it to go there. The current literature says the machine comes with a USB interface. Older machines used different cables, some proprietary, so I'd check for that as well.

I wouldn't necessarily run from it if you're really interested, but I wouldn't be willing to invest heavily in it either. Plus, the guy who has it now obviously can't make it work. It's just sitting in his way.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by dubby

I wouldn't necessarily run from it if you're really interested, but I wouldn't be willing to invest heavily in it either. Plus, the guy who has it now obviously can't make it work. It's just sitting in his way.

It really didn't look THAT bad. I'd scrub the screws--I think they would clean up. Here is a snip of the video he posted. I can't tell what software he has up but he did mention he had trouble with a .dll (driver) file but I could figure that out easy enough. The USB cable is included. Looks like he is using an older Dell.

I have a couple older desktop computers sitting around waiting for something to do. I do NOT have a laptop but there would be plenty of room to put a box under it. Yes, I understand how water and gravity work...

Your input has cost the seller $100, BTW. Whether he accepts is another story...

[dubby]

That appears to be Mach3 running on the laptop.

The program is only capable of converting g-code into machine movement. It is unable to take your drawings to a usable form. You can write and test g-code in it though. For extremely simple things it's not difficult. As a computer language overall, it's one of the most simple to learn--especially in 2d work.


There are programs available among the creator crowd that can likely be found to write any code you need. 3D printing has really driven the accessibility of those programs. But the more complicated your drawing, the more code necessary, and complex curves take a lot of code to create. Straight cuts are easy. But, the more money you spend on software, the easier it'll be to figure out. Some of the guys around here with plasma tables may have a great recommendation on what they use. I'd start there.

[JohnBoy]

Have services like send cut send made a lot of small plasmas less relevant?

Unless you are into prototyping stuff and need to iterate designs then for the typical use case most of us here would have then waiting a week for a widget to come in the mail is probably not the end of the world