Plasma cutting tables

[Craftfab]

I am trying to decide how to build my plasma cutting table that I will use with my new Hypertherm. It will be all hand held work. I was considering ones that go over a drum or basin but decided I would rather build one.

Currently thinking 26x26” built from 1.75” square tubing with 3/16”x1.25” slats. Not sure how I can cut the 3/16 wide slots in my 1.75” tubing though. Will be same depth and height as welding table so I can slide it beside for supporting longer pieces. Have a sheet of 20ga to hopefully use for a collector chute underneath as I have seen done that dump into a bucket.

Would love to see any ones folks here have built.

 

[rsanter]

I got my hands on an older folding table that the particle board top was ****.
I kept the folding legs and the metal perimeter frame.
I bought 1/8 x 1” flat metal strapping and welded them in as slats in the perimeter frame.

Works well and I can put it away when not in use.
I also use it as a swap meet table sometimes

 

[TTMotorsports]

My slats are only 16ga steel. No need for 3/16 thick slats

 

[Craftfab]

My slats are only 16ga steel. No need for 3/16 thick slats

I was planning on 1/8" originally but my steel place has 3/16" for less cost. Will reconsider width though. Thank you

 

[zkling]

To cut the slots, drill a hole at the end of each leg, then sink a cutoff wheel from an angle grinder, chop saw or even portaband into the corner till the holes connect and the piece falls out. Takes longer to layout than actually cut. If you get a thick enough grinding wheel, you can just sink that in one shot and forego the drilled holes.

Use caution when cutting through the final side as the piece can turn into a bullet. Also keep in mind the kerf of the saw blade.

 

[racingtadpole]

Weld tags to the tube and bolt them in

 

[whateg01]

for the slots in the tube, I'd use my milling machine. Lacking that, I would just cut slots in one leg of a piece of angle and tack that to the bottom of the tube. My table uses 18 ga slats with a support on each end and one in the middle. Cut extras, because they do get chewed up. I seem to have an easier time breaking the thinner slats free from the work when dross connects them than I do with thicker slats. Give yourself a few inches below the work to allow the work to blast to disperse a little before it hits the bottom. With a chute, that might not be much of a problem. A downdraft is nice, but does add complexity and cost to it. Plasma cutting creates a lot of dust.

Dave

 

[kazlx]

Just make an angle iron frame and then put spacers in (more angle iron). This is how I built the water table for mine. I would just do it the same way, except don't put a bottom on it. I would just build a chute that funnels into a bucket. I think you just need to cut the slats like 1/8 longer than the width to get a nice curve.

 

[Craftfab]

Just make an angle iron frame and then put spacers in (more angle iron). This is how I built the water table for mine. I would just do it the same way, except don't put a bottom on it. I would just build a chute that funnels into a bucket. I think you just need to cut the slats like 1/8 longer than the width to get a nice curve.

What is the thickness of your slats? I was thinking square tubing since I already have a ton of it and could drill holes and make clamps to hold material in place (albeit likely only reach 3-4" into cutting area).

 

[kazlx]

I think they were 1/8, I don't remember. They spanned like 54" though. I don't have the table anymore.

 

[sberry]

Box on end of bench.

 

[MJD1]

Bar grating drops would be easiest.

 

[Ralphxj]

Not sure of your location, but if you are close to North East Ohio, I can cut you a set of slat holder to match what ever size slats you waht to run. I scrap a lot of skeletons from my cnc plasma table that I could use for the holders.

 

[Woodsrider]

Has anyone used aluminum grating for their cutting table? I have access to both with the aluminum being a lot lighter to manage.

 

[MJD1]

The dross really hangs on to aluminum, imo a very poor choice.

 

[Farmall450]

Box on end of bench.

That height would kill me.

 

[Rigging65]

My tablet is only 24”x48”, but it’s built out of light square tubing, then I took two pieces of 48” angle iron, with the outside angle pointing up like an arrow towards the roof, and cut kerfs through it about 3/4 of full depth. These kerfs are about every inch. These rails are mounted on either side of the table, and then 1” wide steel strap slides into the kerfs on edge. This provides a stable, easy to change, sacrificial ‘grate’ across the table. Cheap and easy...and the strap thickness was just smaller than the k from on my saw, so it was extra easy!

 

[Craftfab]

Not sure of your location, but if you are close to North East Ohio, I can cut you a set of slat holder to match what ever size slats you waht to run. I scrap a lot of skeletons from my cnc plasma table that I could use for the holders.

That is a very generous offer, unfortunately I am not in the Ohio area.

I plan to start on the project this weekend.