A new manufacturer-retailer partnership is promising to put affordable, automated, metal-cutting machinery into stores nationwide, so machine shops as well as hobbyists, craftsman, and even “off-roaders” can acquire versatile prototyping equipment for their own use.
Torchmate’s 2X2 CNC Prototyping System combines computer-automated, plasma-cutting, routing, drilling and engraving into a mobile and affordable package that will be made available at 4 Wheel Parts, the U.S.’s largest distributor of 4x4 components and accessories, for trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. 4 Wheel Parts operates 55 retail locations nationwide, as well as an online retail destination.
The Torchmate system is versatile, but compact, and automated so that it can be used by off-road drivers to fabricate frame and suspension components. It also brings precision to the job, so it’s effective for professional metal shops as a cutting or engraving tool for their fabrication projects.
“The response to our latest Torchmate 2x2 CNC Prototyping System has been overwhelming,” according to Torchmate CEO Bill Kunz. “The partnership with 4WheelParts is going to allow us to get the word out much faster, that CNC plasma cutting and routing technology is available to everyone, and not only the fabricating elite.”
Torchmate has been manufacturing since 1979, and its product line includes seven cutting, routing and engraving tables that range from the 2X2 CNC system priced at approximately $3,000 to the Torchmate X — a heavy-duty, ultra-high-precision cutting machine that can be ordered in a table size as large as 10X40, starting at under $30,000. The entire line of Torchmate products will be available at 4 Wheel Parts locations.
To highlight their partnership, and Torchmate’s value to off-road vehicle owners, Torchmate will send truckloads of the 2X2 CNC prototyping systems to the King of the Hammers King of the Hammers off-road racing event, to be purchased from 4 Wheel Parts or delivered to 4 Wheel Parts customers who pre-order. Thousands of attendees at the Southern California racing event will be offered a $500 discount on three machine models: the basic 2X2 CNC machine called the Last Chance Qualifier ($2,980 with discount); the upgraded Main Event package ($3,730 with discount); and the premium 2X2 automated system called the Hammer King ($6,440 with discount).
The discount will be available at the 4 Wheel Parts showroom-on-wheels in “HammerTown” at King of the Hammers (east of Los Angeles, in Johnson Valley.) Financing and credit card transactions will be processed at the 4 Wheel Parts showroom-on-wheel in “HammerTown.”
Even those who do not attend the race can receive the discount by ordering one of the 2X2 CNC systems by phone until February 11, 2011. All orders must be paid in full by Feb. 11 to receive the discount.
“4 Wheel Parts is proud to add Torchmate to their list of quality parts and make it easy to service Torchmate customers through our many facilities across the U.S,” according to Brent Goegebuer, 4 Wheel Parts director of marketing.
“The 2X2 CNC Prototyping machine enables race teams and off-road vehicle owners to upgrade, repair, or maintain their vehicle with metal parts specifically designed by the owner or race team,” Kunz continued. “The versatile uses of Torchmate products can be the difference between sitting on the sidelines waiting for an ordered part and winning a race.”
