As soon as reserved for high-end fabrication retailers, CNC plasma cutters have turn into far more reasonably priced lately. Within the final yr alone, Eastwood has launched no fewer than three new CNC plasma choices particularly for DIY fabricators. The smallest and least costly of those is the compact Versa Minimize 2×2. Boasting a footprint roughly the dimensions of a washer, it was designed with small garages and workshops in thoughts.
Like its bigger counterparts – the Versa Minimize 4×4 and Versa Minimize 4×8 – this unit is absolutely contained with a built-in controller, built-in water desk, and sturdy gantry. Briefly, it has all of the options of the large boys in a smaller package deal. In consequence, it’s continually being in comparison with different small tables available on the market, together with the Langmuir CrossFire.
The truth is, at first look the Langmuir desk might even appear to be a relative cut price in comparison with Eastwood’s 2×2 desk. And it’s true the CrossFire begins at a base worth roughly $1,000 lower than the Versa Minimize. On the time this text was written September 2024), the Langmuir desk began at $1495 in comparison with Eastwood’s $2500. Nonetheless, dig into the main points a bit and a distinct storyemerges. The bottom worth on the Langmuir consists of nearly not one of the options that make a extremely helpful CNC plasma desk.
Let’s have a look at the options between the 2 machines to get a extra correct comparability of the ‘all-in’ price when comparably outfitted.
Building
Each tables boast stable modular development and are shipped able to assemble on web site. The Easwtood desk advantages from a double-sided gantry in comparison with Langmiur’s single-sided gantry. The second rail makes for a extra inflexible meeting that stops the gantry arm from shifting vertically throughout operation. The improved rigidity of this design ensures a extra exact torch peak for cleaner cuts.
Talking of torch peak, the Eastwood desk comes normal with a torch peak (or Z-axis) controller. This characteristic might be added to the Langmuir desk for an extra (and fairly hefty) $550.
The Eastwood desk additionally embody a water desk as a typical characteristic. This helps reduce smoke and slicing particles for a cleaner workspace and fewer slicing residue on the workpiece. A water desk is accessible as an add-on to the Langmuir desk for an extra $150.
The Versa Minimize desk additionally features a built-in restrict change. This enables for a real 0,0 (machine coordinate zero) reference that permits the consumer to work coordinate offsets, maximizing materials effectivity on bigger items or a number of cuts. Langmuir provides a restrict change add-on for one more $95.
Controls
One of many largest variations between the 2 tables is their management panels. Or within the case of the Langmiur, the absence of a management panel. Eastwood’s setup incorporates a absolutely built-in management panel with an LCD show and built-in USB drive for file transfers. The management unit is pre-loaded with quite a few tasks in its Form Library.
The Langmuir desk requires a pc (usually a laptop computer) to run their proprietary FireControl software program. An optionally available laptop computer stand might be added for one more $85. Whereas this isn’t an frequent setup for a small store, it does place the pc in shut proximity to slicing particles.
All In
The whole price between the Eastwood Versa Minimize and the Langmuir CrossFire is way nearer in comparison with comparable options. Requiring no further choices, the Eastwood desk stays $2,500. The Langmuir provides as much as $2,380 with the addition of the water desk, Z-axis management improve, restrict change equipment, and the laptop computer stand. After all, the Langmuir consumer may also want a laptop computer or different shop-adjacent pc to run the plasma cutter.
It must also be famous that neither of those setups consists of an precise plasma cutter at these costs. Langmuir sells a Razorweld 45-amp cutter for $995, making for an all-in worth of $3,370. When bought as a whole package deal with Eastwood’s comparable Versa Minimize 40 CNC plasma cutter, the all-in worth for a full Versa Minimize 2×2 CNC plasma desk and cutter is just below $3,000.
Whereas the Langmuir CrossFire setup begins out significantly cheaper, the price of including high quality options shortly brings it near the bottom worth of the Eastwood Versa Minimize. However the all-inclusive Versa Minimize 2×2 CNC plasma desk and cutter package deal proves a superior worth in comparison with the fully-equipped Langmiur CrossFire. And irrespective of what number of upgrades you add onto the Langmuir desk, it nonetheless received’t have some great benefits of Eastwood’s double-sided gantry assist or built-in management unit.
