GoTorch - PlasmaCam Review

I owned a DHC Plasmacam table but sold it to purchase PlasmaCam's larger Samson 5' x 10' table.
The Gotorch is PlasmaCam's smaller table 2' x 2'. And YES all 3 tables are manufactured by Plasmacam, but they want people to beleive they are not? Even Shop Outfitters is connected with the PlasmaCam. All located in Colorado and American owned and made.
Why they want buyers to think they are all seperate is unknown, but maybe they feel its a better sales pitch? I can't imagine who would really care as long as the product is quality, and my personal opinion is that they do make quality equipment and their new software, DesignEdge is top notch!
They do have their faults as all companies do but I really don't care for deception!
When GoTorch first came out the website listed positive buyers and all had only good things to say, and I really don't expect to have them list a unhappy customer! Except the table hadn't even reached the market and these claims of how easy it is, and the person wished they knew about this before sinking their money into a competitors table that they couldn't learn to operate, and the GoTorch has already paid for itself the first week they owned it?
After googling the peoples names and those listing a business, not one person came up nor did their business? Ironically the names did sound familiar as they had names within Plasmacam?
Plasmacam has one of the best sales marketing out there, so really didn't expect any less from GoTorch either!
Why does this matter? Well for the new person especially in this economy where money is short and almost any person unable to find employment will venture into trying their hand at owning their own business, I feel its necessary to inform them what I learned from my business adventure with Plasmacam. Though I purchased my tables used except for the Gotorch, I didn't feel that the warranty justified paying full price! Your support is through Plasmacam Owners Community forum or PlasmaPig which just recently was transferred to Plasmacam, and prior to that was owner operator owned and policed. Only owners of these 3 tables are allowed to join and the people connected are very helpful. There is an awful lot of people who also post on youtube and their videos can help out a lot. This brings me back to GoTorch, where your only support is the forums. Supposedly to keep cost down. Since I have been on these forums for a few years now the people who are giving the GoTorch rave reveiws on their website have never signed onto the forums? All names of owners are listed so it wasn't rocket science these are not real owners! My owning 2 tables prior still didn't help me with the new GoTorch as the software that it comes with for the basic price is junk! So the few people who do own the GoTorch have signed onto the forums and have been asking questions of how to get it to cut?
And other questions related to that table? Most are confused that there are something like 4 different verions of DesignEdge software, and you only get BASIC DesignEdge unless you upgrade to other versions. But on the website they say for the sale price its all you need right out of the box? I  questioned their saying all you need is the table and a plasma cutter?
Let me tell you it is just the start of what you need!
You will need an Air compressor large enough to keep up with the demand of cutting, and a Refrigerated air dryer to keep the cutting air dry so your consumables last longer!
And plasma consumables, especially fine cut, ohmic cap etc. A good ground rod driven into the ground close to where you set the table up.
A good size downdraft exhaust fan or water table.
220 volt line or two and some 110 volt lines. A basic computer with a parallel port.
Then what I have been reading is almost everyone ends up purchasing the upgrade to Advanced designEdge software, that will add about $2,000.00 to cost of table. PlasmaCams old software 3.11 was better than the Basic DesignEdge software so if you could get a hold of an old version you might be happy with that version as some still are using it and never upgraded to even basic!
I will say that their video manual is getting better but not yet to have any new owners be able to operate out of box without asking questions on the forum?
Almost all new owners need help even after watching the video and some give up and sell their table?
That's who I bought my tables from!
Then almost everyone including myself get sold on how easy the sales video makes it look!
An the dollar signs in your eyes on all those neat artsy craft objects you'll be making?
Except every craft show you go to has someone already selling these art craft items already and now i see them from China and are already painted etc.
Oh yeah, I forgot, you will need grinders, sanders, paint and paint guns to get your item looking good? And most will need some way to bend their items or tack them together like welding etc.
Then you realize you will need to pay to get a spot at a vendors like area so the public can see your stuff and have to sit there while they pass by for the cheaper junk!
Upon realizing that you branch out to making parts for people or mass producing parts if your lucky to get a contract?
I am not here to discourage you but inform you that they are trying to convince you to buy their product but if you were able to visit the forums prior to purchasing you might think otherwise, but that is one reason why only owners are allowed? To be fair, they did allow anyone but most people asked the same question over and over, is plasmacam worth it....and instead of doing a search where it was answered already, everyone new would just ask and it got to be old quick! Especially back when the forums were run by owners and not the company.
So I have to honestly say that if I was to buy a table again it would be the 4' x 4' DHC2 table and get the Advanced everything software. The Pipecutter is OK and so is the 3D but not really necessary or a big ticket selling item maker. For me since I have the Advanced software total package I can use that software with the GoTorch so its just a smaller table for me than the samson, and if needed I could take it with me if needed. Not easily, as it would still need a large capacity air compressor, air dryer and plasma cutter along with a 220 volt generator!
There was a question posted on the forums asking who uses the plasmacam for business or just hobby and almost all said hobby. Bought as a business but soon realized there wasn't a need for this.
Most large companies have the money to purchase a professional table or a laser or water jet!
Just do some research prior to buying especially because this is a big investment and make sure there is a need for what you plan on cutting?
If you do decide it is what you want then my personal feelings is the PlasmCam table is well designed and the Advanced DesignEdge software is worth the price!
Just be prepared for a long learning curve even if your computer savvy and know CNC, as most people think its as easy as the sales video and it isn't!
Sales won't be very helpful either as what I have read on the forums from new owners is they will just sell you the table and not advise you if paying more to get the better software, or the larger table, but they just want you to buy anything and will worry about your complaints later..
My advice if buying one is to pay with credit card even if you have the money, as your credit card will fight for you if there is any issues after paying.
Like any major purchase and in any business, get it in writing your concerns and later it won't be "I didn't tell you that?"
Example: Ask in writing if all you will need is a plasma cutter? If they write yes, and later you need to buy an air compressor etc., then you can return the table for a full refund for them lying to you and your credit card company will do all the fighting for you..
Get it all in writing like you would when you do your first business transaction making something!

In closing, there will be some saying that I just like stirring up crap? I wish I would have been able to read someones view on this prior to buying my first table! Even though I didn't pay full price I wouldn't have bought it. I paid less than $7,000 for the 4 x 4 with a Hypertherm 1000 and over $1,000 worth of Plasmacam's art discs and free shipping to my house! After a year owning it I still could not operate it to its fullest especially the DHC or digital height control?
I sold it and bought a used Samson 5 x 10 for $7,000.00 an extra controller and cables from a company whose employees could not figure out how to operate it?
So I don't have nearly what others have invested and if need to could sell the Samson 5 x 10 easily and get my money back.
I just this years learned how to operate it to its full potential and can say it is an awesome table when you know how to use it! Being retired its not there to make money for me to live off of, but have not yet made enough money to even pay off what I paid for it? I would be really upset if I would have paid $16,999.99 full price and not been able to pay it off yet.
That is why I feel it necessary to tell you to make sure there is a need for what you intend to make?
Good Luck...
I Will answer questions but must tell you that I am not always on my computer as I enjoy doing other things also.