Plasma Table Build Log Including Free Plans Link, & Pictures by Weldtutor

[Weldtutor]

Simple construction methods without elaborate machining techniques, as well as "user friendly" electronic control components, are features I attempted to incorporate into this project.
Thanks CNC Zone & to the many who have posted information, plans, answered questions as well as given opinions.
The table top was first squared, levelled, & tack welded on the shop floor.
Legs (2" square tube), casters, & leg spreaders (1" std. pipe) were added.
Welding of these components was then completed.
More to follow.
Weldtutor

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[Weldtutor]

Since first seeing John K's idea over 2 years ago, I have also been having 'Pipe Dreams' but of the plasma kind.
Jgro's plans were consulted, as well a reading & studying hundreds of posts here & on other sites.
The free plasma table plans by Mike Laws, available for downloading here at CNC Zone
were what finally gave the inspiration to attempt making the dream a reality.
Being a fan of KISS engineering I thought, with a few modifications 'I can build that.' I have a chop saw, a drill press, & a welder. If needed the big hammer as well as the disc grinder can be put into play.
Download the plans, print them out, study them, ask questions, make drawings, change the drawings, plan some more, ask, scheme, dream etc. Yes, 'I can build that.'
And so I started....................

[trubleshtr]

Off to a good start, have you decided on a plasma cutter model yet?

[Weldtutor]

Hi Trubleshtr
I plan to use a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 plasma cutter. There are many good machines available from the various manufacturers. I had it narrowed down to a choice of 2 manufacturers.
It would seem to be a matter of indivual preference, based on needs, after doing a search of what the market has available.
Thanks for your interest.
Weldtutor

[Weldtutor]

The 1st photo shows the collars used to hold & allow for adjustment of the X axis rails.
In the 2nd, an angle mounting bracket has been welded to the collar. Slots in the brackets will allow for additional adjustment of the brackets & hence the rails. Brackets will be located at each of the 4 corners of the table top.

[trevorhinze]

Here are some photos that weldtutor resized for me. Hopefully they will serve some inspiration to anyone attempting to build their own plasma table. It can be done!

[Weldtutor]

Thanks for posting the photos Trevorhinze.
Your design is one that is very workable and should help others to take the starting plunge.
The earlier post of your partially built machine certainly was encouraging for me. The compact work area of 2' X 4' would be attractive for a lot of home shops.
Weldtutor

[Weldtutor]

The X axis mounting bracket that was in post #5 above, is seen here fastened to one of the table corners.

A shim was located between the table edge & the bracket to allow for additional adjustment of the axis rail during fabrication.

The table is also shown with the gantry positioned on the X axis rails.
WT

[Weldtutor]

Angle iron, 1/8" X 1-1/4" X 1-1/4" was used to hold the bearings for each axis.
The various sets were shimmed differently depending on the axis rail sizes.

X = 1-1/4" Nominal Std. pipe
Y = 1"
Z = 1/2"

The confused sales clerk at the sporting goods store told me the bearings were only for use with real inline skates!!!
Weldtutor

[mlaws1172]

LOOKING GREAT? It is cool to see all the new plasma being built. As these get built, we should compile pictures and plans in one place. It would give a lot of options for some one wanting to build a table.
Keep posting pictures.
mike

[Weldtutor]

Thanks for the comments Mike, & to others, feel free to add yours or ask questions.

By doing a search for "Free Plasma Table Plans" you will be able to download the plans that Mike has generously contributed. Or click this link-->http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...ma+table+plans
Weldtutor

[Weldtutor]

The control box pictured is from Trevorhinze plasma table in post #6.

Contents include Linisteppers mounted on the large heatsink, power supply unit, cooling fan, a nice air filter etc.

[Weldtutor]

These photos give an overview of what the table & gantry is starting to look like.

The 2nd. shows the back side of the gantry with the Y axis carriage sitting in place.

[Weldtutor]

The Z axis will be of the "floating" variety.

This puts an upward lifting load on the Y axis. If routing was the application for a design of this type, similar vertical movement would tend to take place.

An adjustable "anti lift" bearing as shown on the back side of the Y axis carriage is the solution used here.

[Weldtutor]

The first photo shows the front side of the Y axis.

Photo 2 is a close-up of the Y carriage & the 3 axis rails used.

[mlaws1172]

These pictures shows what happens when you give a master builder some metal.
mike

[Weldtutor]

Thanks for the kind words Mike.

A satellite dish was the donor for a lead screw & brass nut.

This one had a 20:1 speed reducer attached that is likely a bit too much for any of the 3 axis on this machine.

Second photo shows the Z axis carriage with the brass nut located within it.

[Weldtutor]

Belt drive mechanism is shown in 1st photo.

Control box shown has an arc start relay at top left & linisteppers at top right.

Two power supplies, with a 12V unit at lower left.

Sample cuts. Eagle about 7" wide .250" thick.
Biker 15" wide 14 ga.

[trubleshtr]

looks good, anymore pics of the whole machine together? how do you actuate the trigger on your plasma gun?

[Weldtutor]

Hi Trublshtr & all,
I'm just a bit farther along on the project than the pictures shown back in post #15.

The Z axis is almost completed now. I'll try to add a picture of it later, or was there some detail you wanted to see better?

Electronics, motors, mechanical cable drives etc. have yet to be added.

A relay will actuate the gun trigger circuit to initiate the arc.