ajohno
Well-known member
Far out you have been busy.
Was that plasti dip on your rims?
Was that plasti dip on your rims?
Kenfab HQ (Australia)
- Thread starter Kenfab
- Start date
Here is a bit of an insight into what I do for a crust. I work for a fairly large plumbing contractor, we do lots of multi-story apartment buildings and general big jobs.
There is a whole lot of this going on
Lots of waiting for batteries to charge!
Occasionally we do a bit of work though
17 Floors up in the air
Was all good fun until i cut my leg on a Burr that someone forgot to grind down, 7 stitches later
All Finished!
Theres also a lot of these fun and games
good one!
chasing leaks
8 Level free fall off this edge, no fall protection
This got core drilled in the wrong spot, so someone just siliconed it back in place. Its an 8" thick precast wall
There is a whole lot of this going on
Lots of waiting for batteries to charge!
Occasionally we do a bit of work though
17 Floors up in the air
Was all good fun until i cut my leg on a Burr that someone forgot to grind down, 7 stitches later
All Finished!
Theres also a lot of these fun and games
good one!
chasing leaks
8 Level free fall off this edge, no fall protection
This got core drilled in the wrong spot, so someone just siliconed it back in place. Its an 8" thick precast wall
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Crspy
Active member
Some awesome projects there Ken.
I've been looking for a similar shared workshop space here too, but spaces in Melbourne aren't cheap.
I've been looking for a similar shared workshop space here too, but spaces in Melbourne aren't cheap.
Had a nice "little" house reno job for my side business, so did 80 hour weeks for 2 weeks, which gave me a bit of extra money to waste 
The boss checking the trench depth for the drain, tight access in the machine is no fun.
The boss checking on how the apprentice is going digging
Definitely shouldnt have, but i treated myself to this
Another thing to take up space in the shed
The boss checking the trench depth for the drain, tight access in the machine is no fun.
The boss checking on how the apprentice is going digging
Definitely shouldnt have, but i treated myself to this
Another thing to take up space in the shed
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Kenfab, I have to say when you do an update you do it in style.
Apparently saving my money was not on the to do list for this year.
After I got my tax return, plus a bit of cash from side jobs. I set about a new project:
Any guesses whats going on here?
sketchup is great for cut lists
The missus is a bit upset, her new car still hasnt entered the carport.
sorry about the obligatory speedglas selfie
If you havent guessed, Its a 4x4 CNC Plasma Table, well the start of one anyway.
I am hoping to make a bit of cash with it, plus write the whole thing off on tax for next year.
Kazlx's Thread on his 4x8 build was the inspiration behind it
After I got my tax return, plus a bit of cash from side jobs. I set about a new project:
Any guesses whats going on here?
sketchup is great for cut lists
The missus is a bit upset, her new car still hasnt entered the carport.
sorry about the obligatory speedglas selfie
If you havent guessed, Its a 4x4 CNC Plasma Table, well the start of one anyway.
I am hoping to make a bit of cash with it, plus write the whole thing off on tax for next year.
Kazlx's Thread on his 4x8 build was the inspiration behind it
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Ive been in a few spaces, this was the latest one, $1000 per month, not so bad between 5 guys. $200 each per month, so $50 per week. If you have good mates you can get along with, i highly suggest it.
Kenfab, I have to say when you do an update you do it in style.
Thanks bud, keep an eye out for more
HOTFR8
Banned
It has been along time between updates then we get so many all at once.
With the exchange rate being rubbish, and me needing alot of parts from the US for the plasma build. I decided to just make stuff myself where I could.
1" square aluminium bar for the linear carriages
felt like i was drilling, tapping for months!
Stainless hardware and bearings, even bought a little organiser
Hypertherm Powermax 45, because why not! Best plasma you can buy for single phase 240v
Had to go with stainless 75x6mm (3"x1/4) Flat bar for my linear rails, Couldnt get a hold of CRS here in South Australia for some silly reason.
Ended up with an awkward length so had to extend the rails. Im not the greatest on the tig, i know
Got my water table folded up out of one sheet, they had to custom order in the sheet of 3mm, water table is 1500x1500 with 75 high sides, all i had to do was tig the corners. Thanks again to Kazlx for that idea!
was ****** heavy trying to unload though
a mate thats a welder gave me the hot tip to use a 1mm cut off wheel to smooth the stainless welds down, worked a treat, i would have made a mess with the flap disk
Got the Slats for the table done on the guilotine as well,
I love when presents arrive! All the way from Texas! Got stitched up in customs paying duty, but i guess thats life!
Candcnc blade runner, has digital torch height control, runs off ethernet cable so no serial port issues, 620ozin steppers, perfect turn key electronics system
1" square aluminium bar for the linear carriages
felt like i was drilling, tapping for months!
Stainless hardware and bearings, even bought a little organiser
Hypertherm Powermax 45, because why not! Best plasma you can buy for single phase 240v
Had to go with stainless 75x6mm (3"x1/4) Flat bar for my linear rails, Couldnt get a hold of CRS here in South Australia for some silly reason.
Ended up with an awkward length so had to extend the rails. Im not the greatest on the tig, i know
Got my water table folded up out of one sheet, they had to custom order in the sheet of 3mm, water table is 1500x1500 with 75 high sides, all i had to do was tig the corners.
Thanks again to Kazlx for that idea!was ****** heavy trying to unload though
a mate thats a welder gave me the hot tip to use a 1mm cut off wheel to smooth the stainless welds down, worked a treat, i would have made a mess with the flap disk
Got the Slats for the table done on the guilotine as well,
I love when presents arrive! All the way from Texas! Got stitched up in customs paying duty, but i guess thats life!
Candcnc blade runner, has digital torch height control, runs off ethernet cable so no serial port issues, 620ozin steppers, perfect turn key electronics system
Had a full weekend to play so i started by welding in the drains to the water table.
Completely forgot about welding cast to mild steel, it kept cracking so i just kept re-blazing it with the tig. Eventually got it to a point where i was happy, then sillicone sealed it to be safe.
Treated the table to a lick of paint, the dog felt like getting involved.
Wheeled it up to its new home in the shed, White mazda got kicked out
gantry back on and rolling!
z axis all the way from Detrick Design and Fabrication in Ohio
Treated myself to a new radio
3m tape to bond the rack, that stuff is rediculously strong even after 10 seconds i could not move it.
Cheap gumtree score $100 dell refirb computer (gumtree is like craigslist i guess)
Getting there!
This little 1a transformer apparently didnt like 240v despite saying it could handle it. Let out the magic smoke in 5 seconds, then almost went up in flames.
Found one with an aussie plug on it to use instead.
Almost ready to blaze!
Completely forgot about welding cast to mild steel, it kept cracking so i just kept re-blazing it with the tig. Eventually got it to a point where i was happy, then sillicone sealed it to be safe.
Treated the table to a lick of paint, the dog felt like getting involved.
Wheeled it up to its new home in the shed, White mazda got kicked out
gantry back on and rolling!
z axis all the way from Detrick Design and Fabrication in Ohio
Treated myself to a new radio
3m tape to bond the rack, that stuff is rediculously strong even after 10 seconds i could not move it.
Cheap gumtree score $100 dell refirb computer (gumtree is like craigslist i guess)
Getting there!
This little 1a transformer apparently didnt like 240v despite saying it could handle it. Let out the magic smoke in 5 seconds, then almost went up in flames.
Found one with an aussie plug on it to use instead.
Almost ready to blaze!
For some reason i thought i was above cutting straight lines and squares to test out the machine!
This is what happens when you forget to install your serial number and run out of G code for the plasma. Almost nailed my first cut!
Lets try this again!
Had the settings up a bit too hot, tripped the power to the plasma and lost my arc, damn.
Finally got one out, 14ga/2mm mild steel sheet. Cut quality isnt dialed in yet, but ill get there!
This is what happens when you forget to install your serial number and run out of G code for the plasma. Almost nailed my first cut!
Lets try this again!
Had the settings up a bit too hot, tripped the power to the plasma and lost my arc, damn.
Finally got one out, 14ga/2mm mild steel sheet. Cut quality isnt dialed in yet, but ill get there!
So after about a month of a break, i went back up to the shed and the plasma was looking a bit neglected. Decided to drain the water and clean it up.
Refilled it with fresh water and made my own plasma quench, hopefully it keeps the water a bit nicer!
went back to the drawing board to try and dial in cut quality, as you can see, 2nd one down is the nicest cut, that is 160 inches per minute
whipped this up quickly for a laugh, 3 minutes from google images, to cut item in my hand, gonna be such a handy tool once its dialed in perfect
So thats where im at with the plasma, still havent got my acceleration settings perfected, Ive been putting off working on it, hopefully this gets me motivated! So it can start paying for itself!
Refilled it with fresh water and made my own plasma quench, hopefully it keeps the water a bit nicer!
went back to the drawing board to try and dial in cut quality, as you can see, 2nd one down is the nicest cut, that is 160 inches per minute
whipped this up quickly for a laugh, 3 minutes from google images, to cut item in my hand, gonna be such a handy tool once its dialed in perfect
So thats where im at with the plasma, still havent got my acceleration settings perfected, Ive been putting off working on it, hopefully this gets me motivated! So it can start paying for itself!
hewey
Well-known member
Nice work on the plasma cutter!
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
sorry mate! haha hopefully you like them?
i promise to get on here a bit more frequently
Its going to take me a month of Sundays just to catch up..
HOTFR8
Banned
sorry mate! haha hopefully you like them?
i promise to get on here a bit more frequently
Its going to take me a month of Sundays just to catch up..
More updates in one day than in the last 12 months. 
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Alexztt
Well-known member
Awesome plasma cutter but I think I am more jealous of the GTR's hanging out in a few of your pics. My dream car that is nearly impossible to have here in the states.
So this is what I'm currently working on, finally a shed project for my garage gallery.
Excuse the mess, the shed has been very neglected. Started building a General store area, this area is the bench straight inside the door, it usually ends up where I just plonk stuff so that I can go through it and organise it into a new home in the shed.
$100 worth of melamine at the local hardware store
Cupboards are 1200x800x300 deep (47x31x12). Im not really sure what to do for doors, was hoping for suggestions. I can probably go buy another sheet of melamine and track down some of the edging strip to make the doors a bit more tidy. Unless anyone has any good ideas?
I also built one 1200x800x450 hopefully i can find a spot for that one to live on the wall.
Hopefully I can get a little bit done each day. I keep picking up after hours work which is cutting into shed time, but adding to shed fund, so I can't really complain.
Excuse the mess, the shed has been very neglected. Started building a General store area, this area is the bench straight inside the door, it usually ends up where I just plonk stuff so that I can go through it and organise it into a new home in the shed.
$100 worth of melamine at the local hardware store
Cupboards are 1200x800x300 deep (47x31x12). Im not really sure what to do for doors, was hoping for suggestions. I can probably go buy another sheet of melamine and track down some of the edging strip to make the doors a bit more tidy. Unless anyone has any good ideas?
I also built one 1200x800x450 hopefully i can find a spot for that one to live on the wall.
Hopefully I can get a little bit done each day. I keep picking up after hours work which is cutting into shed time, but adding to shed fund, so I can't really complain.
ajohno
Well-known member
Kenfab,
What about the Kit and Kaboodle from the big green shed?
They sell doors with different finishes and also the hinges.
What about the Kit and Kaboodle from the big green shed?
They sell doors with different finishes and also the hinges.
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ajohno
Well-known member
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Looking great Ken.
ScottsRX
Well-known member
Hey Ken, welcome aboard. Not that I'm a veteran or anything.
Great looking setups you have and looks like we have a few things in common. We like the same cars (although the Fords were my first love before Mazdas and I'll end up back there one day) You also work on big apartment buildings. I'll keep my eye out for you as I often find myself in them looking at their pathways for comms (nbn)
Excellent photos here mate. Keep up the good work.
Great looking setups you have and looks like we have a few things in common. We like the same cars (although the Fords were my first love before Mazdas and I'll end up back there one day) You also work on big apartment buildings. I'll keep my eye out for you as I often find myself in them looking at their pathways for comms (nbn)
Excellent photos here mate. Keep up the good work.
Hi Scott, thanks mate haha.
Cheers mate, i reckon we have the same taste in forums too, i remember you from the old sa rotors forum when sanjay ran it.
Ill keep my eye out for ya as well, youll probably be lucky if you dont visit my site when they start pulling fibre, its a shambles!
Ill keep the updates comin each week now, stop by any time
Grumblebum
Well-known member
Cool things going on Ken.
You could do sliding doors on your cabinets maybe by trimming out the front and finding some nice ply or something for the sliders depending on what style you are thinking of ?
Cheers Grumblebum.
You could do sliding doors on your cabinets maybe by trimming out the front and finding some nice ply or something for the sliders depending on what style you are thinking of ?
Cheers Grumblebum.
So not much real progress here, had a bunch of after hours work this week.
Bit the bullet and bought some doors, i definitely could have done them alot cheaper, but this way looks alot better i think.
I need a 3" filler panel at the top to stop the dust, i might go pick one up today.
If anyone has any good ideas for what i can do underneath the cupboards on the wall / a top for my pallet racking bench. I was going to put some paper towel rolls there, or under cabinet lighting. But cant decide.
Also fired up the plasma during the week, slowly working on getting my settings dialed in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/vltken/1D1059B2-D3A7-40D0-AE13-51865A3AE854.jpg
Got my speeds setup a bit better, and worked out that the machine had 10mm of play at the torch, which is really bad. Replaced the standard nuts with nylocs and got it back solid, hopefully that fixes my over runs on sharp corners.
Cut this for a mate who runs track days at the local race track.
Hopefully i can think up a good idea to cut a bunch of to start paying off this machine, one off work is ok, but with some production I can actually pay off the machine (in my head)
Bit the bullet and bought some doors, i definitely could have done them alot cheaper, but this way looks alot better i think.
I need a 3" filler panel at the top to stop the dust, i might go pick one up today.
If anyone has any good ideas for what i can do underneath the cupboards on the wall / a top for my pallet racking bench. I was going to put some paper towel rolls there, or under cabinet lighting. But cant decide.
Also fired up the plasma during the week, slowly working on getting my settings dialed in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/vltken/1D1059B2-D3A7-40D0-AE13-51865A3AE854.jpg
Got my speeds setup a bit better, and worked out that the machine had 10mm of play at the torch, which is really bad. Replaced the standard nuts with nylocs and got it back solid, hopefully that fixes my over runs on sharp corners.
Cut this for a mate who runs track days at the local race track.
Hopefully i can think up a good idea to cut a bunch of to start paying off this machine, one off work is ok, but with some production I can actually pay off the machine (in my head)
hewey
Well-known member
Plasma is coming out nicely 
Looks like it could be a good space to mount some small drawers for screws, bolts etc without taking up too much bench space.
Looks like it could be a good space to mount some small drawers for screws, bolts etc without taking up too much bench space.
sandmanracing
Well-known member
I would look at bolt/nut storage (or similar small parts) if you need them often to hand, otherwise I would use LED lighting and some racks for spray cans and the like. Maybe even consider mounting your chargers on the wall if you have power close by, or look at the (Arlec?) power point extensions that could be handy - links:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/lead-extension-arlec-4m-dbl-skt-8o-let-srge-def4-s_p4330152
http://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-power-extension-lead_p7052931
As for the towels, I am building a new bench that has a slide out with the cleaning items in it to keep dust, filings and other items off my wipes/towels so as to not scratch items when I am cleaning.
http://www.bunnings.com.au/lead-extension-arlec-4m-dbl-skt-8o-let-srge-def4-s_p4330152
http://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-power-extension-lead_p7052931
As for the towels, I am building a new bench that has a slide out with the cleaning items in it to keep dust, filings and other items off my wipes/towels so as to not scratch items when I am cleaning.
G20-Budo
Well-known member
Ken,
Cool thread! I like how the roll up door turned out, and of course that plasma cutter is COOL! I hope you're able to finish getting it dialed in so you it can pay for its self. That merbau wood looks very nice on that table your made, the color looks great off is the black frame you made for it. Great work there.
Cool thread! I like how the roll up door turned out, and of course that plasma cutter is COOL! I hope you're able to finish getting it dialed in so you it can pay for its self. That merbau wood looks very nice on that table your made, the color looks great off is the black frame you made for it. Great work there.
Ken,
Cool thread! I like how the roll up door turned out, and of course that plasma cutter is COOL! I hope you're able to finish getting it dialed in so you it can pay for its self. That merbau wood looks very nice on that table your made, the color looks great off is the black frame you made for it. Great work there.
Thanks Kyle!
Found some filler panel at work today, its not quite gloss white, a bit more satin. Grabbed it anyway, can't beat the price. Lopped it down on the drop saw when i got home
Put the filler panels in, now it kind of shows how my cupboards are out of square with each other, i am also the worst at aligning those cupboard hinges, i understand the way they work i think, i just don't know the right process for getting the doors right.
Was sitting watching tv in the air con, as its currently 33c / 92f at 7:00 at night, creeping on Facebook when a guy advertised some snap-on tools. I saw what i wanted so i quickly sent him a message and drove straight over.
Picked up my first Green snap on tools, barely used for a bargain price. Im a sucker for lime green.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Great score on the Snap on tools, I am green with envy.
The only thing I have that is Snap on is a stubby holder that was complimentary after we spent $0000.00 s on some diagnostic stuff at work.
Your cupboards are coming along nicely, persevere with your alignment of the cases and doors, certainly worth the effort.
Regards
The only thing I have that is Snap on is a stubby holder that was complimentary after we spent $0000.00 s on some diagnostic stuff at work.
Your cupboards are coming along nicely, persevere with your alignment of the cases and doors, certainly worth the effort.
Regards
Yeah im stoked about the snap on gear. I have a couple sets of spanners and a 3/8 deep socket set. I think my snap on guy hates me now tho
I forgot to pay him for a month. I doubt he will let me put anymore stuff on account. Paying for the gear outright is painful but $50 a week is great.
Yeah ill have a crack at the cupboards again once it cools down, it was testing my patience working with sweat dripping into my eyes. Hows the weather over there?
G20-Budo
Well-known member
Hey Ken, as others have said GREAT find on the snap-on tools! The cupboards are coming along, I'd say you did a better job of making them than I would have.
Any progress on the plasma cutter? I want to know when I can place my bulk order or batman throwing stars (errr..um.. bats).
Any progress on the plasma cutter? I want to know when I can place my bulk order or batman throwing stars (errr..um.. bats).
Hey Ken, as others have said GREAT find on the snap-on tools! The cupboards are coming along, I'd say you did a better job of making them than I would have.
Any progress on the plasma cutter? I want to know when I can place my bulk order or batman throwing stars (errr..um.. bats).
Hey Kyle
Thanks mate, yeah couldnt refuse the price on the snap on gear
Give yourself a bit more credit mate, you did a neat job on the flooring at your place
you could easily knock up some cupboards like mine. Plasma comes along slowly, at the moment i just cant work out what to cut. I should get stuck in. Be happy to cut ya some batarangs though
hahaG20-Budo
Well-known member
Hey Kyle
Thanks mate, yeah couldnt refuse the price on the snap on gear
Give yourself a bit more credit mate, you did a neat job on the flooring at your place
Cheers for the comment about my laminate flooring install, it wasn't NEARLY as much work as the tile I did in the house..
Kenfab said:Plasma comes along slowly, at the moment i just cant work out what to cut. I should get stuck in. Be happy to cut ya some batarangs though
Batarangs? Screw that! I don't want those sharp things coming back at me after I throw them at someone..
Hey Ken,
Projects and shed looking great! I used Yellow tongue as a bench top (in double thickness), cheap and solid and easy to replace, works really well on pallet racking.
It's a bit late now but worth keeping an eye on Aldi, they had wall hung cabinets late last year for $60 each which included frames, doors, hinges and handles. Bargain!
Love the R100, if I only I could find a decent one up here. What's power? Still got the 10A?
Projects and shed looking great! I used Yellow tongue as a bench top (in double thickness), cheap and solid and easy to replace, works really well on pallet racking.
It's a bit late now but worth keeping an eye on Aldi, they had wall hung cabinets late last year for $60 each which included frames, doors, hinges and handles. Bargain!
Love the R100, if I only I could find a decent one up here. What's power? Still got the 10A?