Build or buy plasma CNC

You should call Ross @ Trucut & talk to him, he has plenty of options to get you started inexpensively. He sells gantry kits so you can build your own table, will build any size table & sells his THC separately also
 
The Z axis is pretty simple since it is tied to arc voltage. The sheilding is a whole nother issue so far. Plasma cutters make a huge amount of electric and electronic noise, so Faraday cages, twisted and sheilded pairs are the approach of the day. Once I get the sheilding right it should be pretty good. It wont have cornering velocity changes or slow down when crossing cut paths, but I think it will do a decent job for about 400.00 bucks in parts and materials. I'm really hoping to get back into the shop after my little surgery on the 6th and get it cleaned out and my system up and running again. Been too long with no "cheshire Cat Grins" to suit me. If you go to the Plasma Cam site they will send you a DVD and a book that is very SWMBO freindly. Momma said we needed one when that booklet arrived and we watched the dvd. It's really good and it's free.
Bob
 
I will give it a look Bob. You have and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as you travel through life's journey. Look forward to seeing chips and spark photos from your shop soon.

David
 
Building or Buying will mostly depend on
How well you are tooled up,
How much money your willing to throw at a Bought machine,
How much time you have..

I'm tooled up pretty good at home.. I own an old bridgeport mill, horizontal saw, mig and tig welders, quite a few hand tools and power tools.. I also have a best friend that is a industrial salvage hoarder and he has access to a private salvage auction..

I have a background of tool&die&mold making for 25yrs.. I love designing things with simplicity and durability and cost effectiveness, kind of goes along with my trade..

I built my table, and I dont have much in it for a cnc plasma table.. right at $1500 total in mine, do have alot of time in it, much more design time in than actual fabrication time.... Its 49"x 36" cut size, using gecko G251 drives..
I'm building the water table now but its figured in on that total... I will add a thc later on, for now i'm just running a floating head torch I designed and built..

IMG_20120824_093349.jpg
 
Brucer,
Please post a photo of your design of the floating head torch. I am still progressing slowly on my THC, but it still isn't ready to work reliably yet. Thanks a bunch!!!
Bob
 
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