DIY Plasma anyone?

[Mike Heidrick]

Any of you folks ever build or use a cnc plasma cutting machine? Any preferences on parts? Any torch mounts work better than others?

[Robert Alexander]

Any of you folks ever build or use a cnc plasma cutting machine? Any preferences on parts? Any torch mounts work better than others?

I Operated a couple of CNC plasma cutters for about 14 years. Price wise you can get a very good turn key system for around $10,000. The must haves on a plasma cutter in my opinion are water table (to reduce slag and smoke from cutting metals) protective covers on bearings ( it only takes a few pieces of slag to cause problems on uncovered rails/racks) automatic torch height control (this will keep the plasma tip from crashing into the metal, or keep the plasma tip at the right height when cutting thin metals, and give a consistent smooth cut ) A dedicated machine torch head and not one of those systems that use a handheld torch set up. Rack and pinion gearing, and not a belt drive train (replacement belts are expensive and will break at the worst time). As for the power supply. Hypertherm, and Thermal Dynamics have been very reliable. I have been a fan of Hypertherm's fine cut consumables form day one because of the quality of cut they produce.

[Dan Hintz]

I keep considering adding a cutter to my CAMaster, but other priorities take hold. Some day...

[Dick Jones]

I Just Built one. Two good places to start.

http://www.precisionplasmallc.com/default.htm

http://www.candcnc.com/

[Richard Rumancik]

Mike, you might want to take a look at FABShop Magazine Direct

http://www.fsmdirect.com/

in particular the Oct 2012 issue, Nov/Dec issue, and the Feb 2013 issue. I don't actually see the Feb issue at the link above but I got the link in my email recently. They will probably add it to the archive list soon.