Plasma Table

[andsonsvd]

So as the Garage gets closer to being finished I am busy building all new workshop equipment. The last project was a vertical bandsaw table with casters. Now is the Plasma table, for the plasma I have had for 1 year and never used

This is what it should look like:

Over the last few weeks I had found only a small amount of time in the garage to start this, the first thing I did was to cut 56 pieces to use to separate the removable cutting fins.

Tonight I managed to create my own IKEA project and cut all of the steel needed to build the table. The only thing I haven't cut is the other 20 cutting fins as I have run out of that steel.

Hoping to get some time to assemble my puzzle soon!

Shane

 

[Whiskeymike]

Looks good. One thought is you might want to put something in the center to curve those supports. Generally they are curved to reduce the likelihood of the torch running along the support edge.

Have fun with it

 

[andsonsvd]

Looks good. One thought is you might want to put something in the center to curve those supports. Generally they are curved to reduce the likelihood of the torch running along the support edge.

Have fun with it

hey Mike,

I actually tried to google last night why they are curved. I don't know if I can do anything now will try, noticed it's common on driven cutters like a cnc, thanks for commenting! Shane

 

[jeepinerdeep]

hey Mike,

I actually tried to google last night why they are curved. I don't know if I can do anything now will try, noticed it's common on driven cutters like a cnc, thanks for commenting! Shane

Nice project.

It takes some wiggle out of a CNC machine also. I wouldn't sweat it on a hand table, just move your piece over a bit.

If you want to curve them, just flip your clips around and cut longer slats. The arch in mine comes from have a slat that is just too long.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I read somewhere they are curved to reduce some oscillation while cnc cutting but I couldn't tell you where I read it. I curved mine by offsetting a center support 1.5" on a 60" wide table. It definitely takes the wiggle out of them too.

That will be a handy item to have in the garage. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to cut down the edge of mine and ended up putting a slit in the edge of the table. Good thing I cut on a cheapo HF welding table and not something nice. lol

 

[Farmerjonathan]

And if you really want to cut down on the sparks flying and dust/debris, make a water tub under it. Man it makes such a difference in the cleanliness of the shop.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Wow, didn't catch you were making a hand cutting table. That will be a hell of a table.

There's a few reason curved slats are good. When cutting across the table(same direction of the slats), it avoids the slat being directly below your cut for an extended period which would screw up the slat faster and affect your cut because of how it affects your arc and blow back. It also avoids some tip ups, where a small piece tips up and catches the torch when it passes over. As mentioned, it adds rigidity and less likely to lean over with weight applied which makes your sheet not level.

Being that you are hand cutting, it won't make much difference at all.

 

[andsonsvd]

Hey Jonathan, as i am creating a funnel to a removable steel bucket would water in the bucket be ok or am I better of with a pull out tray full of water? Thanks for your response.

Shane

 

[andsonsvd]

ovrrdrive, I am hoping it will come in handy, i don't want to cut my lovely bench! Thanks for Commenting, Shane.

 

[andsonsvd]

Whiskeymike,

Sorry I should have mentioned that! Ill see if can add a bit of a bow just to help.

Shane

 

[andsonsvd]

jeepinerdeep,

Good Idea! I might give that ago, thanks for commenting.

Shane

 

[Griff93]

I would look at making this into a down draft cutting table. Your current design is almost there with the funnel. You just need a filter, fan, and a bit more sheet metal.

 

[kazlx]

On a hand cut table, it won't matter too much if the slats are curved. Like mentioned, it's mainly so the torch doesn't cut directly with a slat on a cnc table. Also gives a bit of stability to the slats. FWIW, air cutting with plasma makes a mess quick. Your setup will help, but you will still get a ton of dust. I'm not a huge fan of a water table, but it's the lesser of two evils that dealing with all the dust.

 

[andsonsvd]

Kazlx, I am going to look into a simple down draft system just looking for ideas now. Thanks for commenting.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

Hey Jonathan, as i am creating a funnel to a removable steel bucket would water in the bucket be ok or am I better of with a pull out tray full of water? Thanks for your response.

Shane

Water in the tray, put some type of ball valve at the bottom of the funnel to make clean out easy. Plasmas are excellent, but also excellent at the crud you will find everywhere. Our shop wall is concrete block and with just the hand cutting plasma the grout lines will fill up with the dust from the plasma. Water table eliminated that problem (think how happy the lungs are!).

 

[kkroger]

Water table helps a lot but then you get Steam with atomized steel in it floating about and landing on everything and rusting. White Walls turn Yellow QUICK!
Getting ready to move my CNC Plasma to a new 8000 Square Foot Shop...
When hand cutting I always cut over a 55 gallon drum... worked fairly well for me...

Perhaps a hybrid of down draft around the edges and a water tray in the middle... so your suction is all around the water tray, when hand cutting into a water tray wear a face shield... you will need it!

 

[Griff93]

You might want to watch this for some ideas. I think there's a couple of more parts.