4 x 8 Plasma Table build

Post by **TJS** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:44 pm

I am sure all of you have seen a table being built before so I will not bore you with tons and tons of pics. We all know what it takes to build a table from a kit.

Having never built one or even touched CNC stuff I do not know all of the buzz words so bear with me here. I have a huge learning curve jumping into this.

Specs. 4 x 8 Precision Plasma V rail kit.
Plasma Cutter: Hypertherm PM 85 with machine torch
Controller: CandCNC Ethercut
Dust Control: Water Table
Torch Breakaway: Homemade magnetic Torch holder

Ok so here we go. I will let a lot of these pics speak for themselves.

Post by **TJS** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:47 pm

Cont'.

I tig welded a lot of the welds on this table.

Feet.

Post by **TJS** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:48 pm

Overkill

Yay

Post by **TJS** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:54 pm

Start of the water tray

Controller Cabinet from an old bin.

Modifying a monitor mount from a desktop monitor mount to mount it on my scrap computer cart.

Sorry for the side shot.

Controller cabinet with a plex door I adapted to it.

Starting the machining of the breakaway torch holder.

Back side of the torch holder. Machining for the bull nose dowels and magnets.

Holder and steel plate the bolts to the Z

I finally cut the slots. It holds the torch nice.

Post by **TJS** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:46 pm

I have many more pics of my progress such as a box and holder for my Hypertherm 85. I just did not have a chance yet to upload them to my webserver.

Here is one of many vids. This is the breakaway torch project.
http://youtu.be/CFcEujNb__I

Kentuckyfarmer · Post by **Kentuckyfarmer** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 5:41 pm

Looks really good I built mine a few years ago and have never regretted it for a minute. There is something about showing it to somebody and saying I made that, priceless. keep up the good work.
I feel if you build it you can always repair it when needed.
Mike

motofool33 · Post by **motofool33** » Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:50 pm

nicely done

suttoncnc · Post by **suttoncnc** » Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:07 pm

Very nice.....you will have no issue catching up with all the things that you will have to learn. That fact is made obvious by your build quality, it speaks of your abilities and intelligence. Hang out here and everybody will gladly help you get going, they certainly did for me.

Scott

Post by **TJS** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:23 pm

Some more progress.

Made a box out of air handler scrap for the plasma cutter and welded the main support tubes to the table. This complements my control box.

Front shot of it.

Post by **TJS** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:27 pm

I wanted a little more protection for the feather touch sensor. Here is what I came up with.

Found a piece of scrap and whittled it out on the Bridgeport. Disclaimer, I am not a machinist. Go easy on me.

Yay it fits.

Mock up on the Z where I want it.

Post by **TJS** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:31 pm

Cont.

Took some things apart to drill and tap the Z motor housing to secure the feather touch mount.

Counter sunk and used hardware I had laying around. Hey it works.

Post by **TJS** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:34 pm

Cont.

Now comes the fun part. I broke a tap in one of those 8-32 blind holes. That was fun.

Located some polycarb and cut to size. Drilled the holes and I am done with this part.

Just another view. It looks like it should be there now with some added protection.

Post by **TJS** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:52 pm

I remember telling myself not to weld the Y axis tubes onto the table yet. Then it hit me. This allowed me some elbow room to get the sheet for the water tray centered in the picture frame. I tried laying the frame upside down on the floor and then laying the sheet on it. It kept on "falling in". So I kind of used the table as my jig, Doing full welds on this should be real fun.

Largemouthlou · Post by **Largemouthlou** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 6:38 am

Very nice build!!

I Lean · Post by **I Lean** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 8:50 am

Looking good so far. One question though--with putting the plasma cutter in a box, will it allow enough cooling air to pass through? There's a fan in there that will come on when the cutter gets warm....

Post by **TJS** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:03 am

I Lean wrote:Looking good so far. One question though--with putting the plasma cutter in a box, will it allow enough cooling air to pass through? There's a fan in there that will come on when the cutter gets warm....

The box is open in the front and back. I do not think it will effect cooling.
Thanks.
T.J.

Metriccar · Post by **Metriccar** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:36 am

I would put holes where the vents are. There's very little room for the air to be pushed out, or pulled in. I know when I start cutting in any decent amount, the fan starts going like crazy.

Post by **TJS** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 12:57 pm

Metriccar wrote:I would put holes where the vents are. There's very little room for the air to be pushed out, or pulled in. I know when I start cutting in any decent amount, the fan starts going like crazy.

Thanks for the advise. I will put breather holes where they need to be in the box.
T.J.

Post by **TJS** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:40 pm

Update. Took the Z car apart and drilled and tapped the two extra holes to 5/16". This is going to allow me to make a bracket for the cable carrier to attach to. By the way, the holes do not need to be drilled with an "F" drill as they are the correct size for 5/16" tap.

Post by **TJS** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:44 pm

Got my test fit cable carriers in. They seem wide for my aluminum channel. Not sure where these companies measure their products but the specs I read online gave me at least a 1/4" on each side. The pics show otherwise(about 1/8"). I hope I will not have a binding issue.

Captsomer · Post by **Captsomer** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 12:01 am

Wow! Nice build! You're making me want to upgrade!

Post by **TJS** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:33 am

Here is the Igus cable carrier I am using. I measured them and the outside largest dimension is 3.675". I have about a 1/16" on each side. Am I going to have a binding issue. I would like to figure this out before ordering more cable carrier.
Here is what I ordered. Igus # 250-07-100-0. If this is an issue I will make new wider trays. Not a big deal just more time and a little money. LOL.

http://www.amazon.com/Igus-250-07-100-0 ... ion-iframe

Nacs Fab · Post by **Nacs Fab** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:41 pm

Can you snap a pic of your side rail profile? I am curious where PPLLC sources this profile, as I may extend my table in the future and buy some new rail.

How long ago did you purchase this kit from Precision Plasma? Very nice Build!

I Lean · Post by **I Lean** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 4:25 pm

Nacs Fab wrote:Can you snap a pic of your side rail profile? I am curious where PPLLC sources this profile, as I may extend my table in the future and buy some new rail.

How long ago did you purchase this kit from Precision Plasma? Very nice Build!

It looks just like my side rails, which I got from Pacific Bearing. http://www.pbclinear.com/

From memory, it was called IVTAAS--but I don't see that listed on their site anymore.

Post by **East German** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:47 am

Congratulations! Very good job.

Hopefully there are more images

Regards Peter

4 x 8 Plasma Table build

4 x 8 Plasma Table build

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