Ok folks I have always wanted a CNC plasma cutter for a long long time. There are many commercial ones out there but are way out of my league of one lump sum pricing. So I decided to build one. I am using a kit from Precision Plasma. The CNC controller stuff is from CanCNC. Please note I am not affiliated in anyway with these companies nor am I promoting them. I know if I post this without the names of the companies I am sure I will be asked. This is still a rather large investment for me as well. It will be the next step in my home shop to take it to the next level. I have a lot to learn and the learning curve for me anyway is huge. Just reading the manual on loading the software for the CNC stuff is just sensory overload for me. I have CorelDraw I have yet to learn as well as Sheetcam and Mach3.I will be running a Hypertherm 85 Plasma cutter and a machine torch. I have seen others build complete tables and have them up and running in a total of 2 weeks. Those guys have experience with CNC. This is not me. It will take me a long time as I have other projects, family and a full time job. Plus, acquiring this stuff aint cheap either. So as time and money permit with this project it will advance slowly. There is going to be many milestones. I figure this will take me at least a year to complete.
4’ x 8’ CNC Plasma Table Build
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So here we go.
I cannot afford to buy everything all at once as others have done, thus I purchased the Precision Plasma 4 x 8 kit first. Then got some steel and set off to build the frame. I did not follow the exact plans from the Precision Plasma link that is sent to you when you purchase the kit. I kind of customized it to my likes. Ron from Precision Plasma answered all my questions and concerns right away. So far customer support is great.
I have yet to get the CandCNC Bladerunner AIO 620 oz kit and software package as well as a Hypertherm 85 machine and machine torch. I already have a PC and such ready to go. I already have Coreldraw as well. Cutting the material included a horizontal band saw followed by a trip to my Bridgeport Milling machine for precise squaring and length. Welding the table consisted of TIG and MIG welding. Some of the gaps when welding a 90 degree intersection of the 2" tubing required MIG welding, because the radius on the tubing. I also TIG welded as much as I could too.
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Layout the tubing
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Drill and Tap holes for the Y-axis
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Y axis rails bolted to tube for mockup
I cannot afford to buy everything all at once as others have done, thus I purchased the Precision Plasma 4 x 8 kit first. Then got some steel and set off to build the frame. I did not follow the exact plans from the Precision Plasma link that is sent to you when you purchase the kit. I kind of customized it to my likes. Ron from Precision Plasma answered all my questions and concerns right away. So far customer support is great.
I have yet to get the CandCNC Bladerunner AIO 620 oz kit and software package as well as a Hypertherm 85 machine and machine torch. I already have a PC and such ready to go. I already have Coreldraw as well. Cutting the material included a horizontal band saw followed by a trip to my Bridgeport Milling machine for precise squaring and length. Welding the table consisted of TIG and MIG welding. Some of the gaps when welding a 90 degree intersection of the 2" tubing required MIG welding, because the radius on the tubing. I also TIG welded as much as I could too.
Layout the tubing
Drill and Tap holes for the Y-axis
Y axis rails bolted to tube for mockup
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222 Posts
Good to see you going 4x8. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to go smaller. Judging by the rest of your fab work this will be the nicest build table around.
As stated before I did not follow the plans. I added many supports and gussets. Remember a 4 x 8 sheet of 1" thick material is heavy. Oh and my overhead welding practice. Hence the creeper.
More
Added a back bone and more supports. Added castors to the feet. Rolls nice.
update. building a computer cart for the table. My goal is to be able to "plug" it into the table. Also has wireless so I can do my CAD(coreldraw) stuff on my laptop in my computer room and then send it to the CNC table computer. Go down stairs in the garage and then press "cut" and go. Well that is my goal anyway. This cart is all made with scrap. I also got castors and a monoprice monitor mount.
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Here is TJCAD drawing of the cart.
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Base.
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Uprights and stainless top I had laying around.
Here is TJCAD drawing of the cart.
Base.
Uprights and stainless top I had laying around.
Mounts welded to the bottom of the cart.
Just waiting for my monitor mount to come in and I will build a keyboard mouse tray too. I have 40 bucks into it. Once I get my CNC table up and running I am going to make sides with louvers in it for protection and cooling.
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1,124 Posts
Better hurry because he's moving to Eastern CT soon 
Glad to know I'm not the only one with a Barbie Jeep in his garage! :laughing:
Glad to know I'm not the only one with a Barbie Jeep in his garage! :laughing:
LOL. It has a real car horn in it. My daughter beeps it all the time and my neighbor thinks someone is beeping in his driveway and comes running out.JFon101231;1854619 said:Better hurry because he's moving to Eastern CT soon
Glad to know I'm not the only one with a Barbie Jeep in his garage! :laughing:
I will update some pics of my CNC project soon. I have tons of pics on my phone to upload to my webserver and just have not had the time yet. I modified a drawer and made it as a cabinet to house the CNC controller. I am almost done with my Computer Cart too.
Update. Made the water tray frame.
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Found a metal sliding drawer cabinet that I am going to use to enclose the CandCNC controller. I also made some air vents in it where the fan is in the controller. I then added a plexiglass door and hinges. I also made a large sliding plexiglass door where the drawers went.
I am mounting it to the side of the table. Here is the mount braket.
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Sorry for the side shot. My webserver re-rotated it after I edited it.
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Here is the controller that will reside in the grey box.
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Found a metal sliding drawer cabinet that I am going to use to enclose the CandCNC controller. I also made some air vents in it where the fan is in the controller. I then added a plexiglass door and hinges. I also made a large sliding plexiglass door where the drawers went.
I am mounting it to the side of the table. Here is the mount braket.
Sorry for the side shot. My webserver re-rotated it after I edited it.
Here is the controller that will reside in the grey box.
There are threaded holes in the bottom of the controller for mounting. I located the holes in the box with a jig I made on the Bridgeport with my digital readout. Everything is square and lines up.
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Modifying a desk top monitor mount I got cheap from Mono price dot com
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Made a post for the modified monitor mount. This will be welded to side of my computer cart
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Again, sorry for the side shot.
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Modifying a desk top monitor mount I got cheap from Mono price dot com
Made a post for the modified monitor mount. This will be welded to side of my computer cart
Again, sorry for the side shot.
Plexiglass door and access to the buttons on the controller. Used a key latch I had laying around for a craftsman toolbox.
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Made a keyboard mount. Now just have to make a mouse pad mount.
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Here is the box mounted on the side of the table. You can see the large plexi glass door that I made slide.
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This is where my 220v feed will come down from a cross beam support on the ceiling and into that tube down to more plugs and breakers.
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Made a keyboard mount. Now just have to make a mouse pad mount.
Here is the box mounted on the side of the table. You can see the large plexi glass door that I made slide.
This is where my 220v feed will come down from a cross beam support on the ceiling and into that tube down to more plugs and breakers.
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