Fancy building a hobby cnc but what’s the lowest cost plasma I can get away with?

[sebring115]

I’ve already got a versacut 40 from Eastwood. However it’s a hf start plasma so expect a world of pain if I put this in my cnc. I already have a small cheapo arduino driven laser frame so was thinking of trying in that as I’m building a larger router that I’d like to try plasma in too. Anyhow cnc compatible plasmas seem easily available in the us but not many in the uk. I can’t find anyone in the uk that does herocut or lottos and the like. Any ideas?

 

[sebring115]

Was thinking something like this

Not too sure about the plasma he uses if it is just a hf cut50 basically. Not sure what makes it cnc compatible.

 

[gaz1]

this one

Has anyone heard of adrianH since he downloaded his story on the DT-115 ?

Back in 2017 I came across a topic by adrianH regarding his Plasma CNC torch height control. He said **I have this stupid idea for cheap THC control for Cut40** He outlined a THC for Plasma CNC cutting. Little did he know that the idea is now a proven situation. It was using a simple DT-115...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[sebring115]

So:basically go with a non pilot cheapo cut 50 and earth the nozzle through resistors to the plasma table clamp Then?

 

[gaz1]

the reference is too someone elses homemade cnc

the extra info pushes the cnc even further for a cheap cnc build

whilst it may use a cut50 it could be used on other machines depends on what your willing to do

though as goes for table that is up to you on the size of build that you pick

even though i could think of a cheaper version for 8x4 sheets

 

[sebring115]

The table is the easy bit, the problem maybe I’m overthinking is the hf, or not as the case may be, seems the us has sources of lots of blowback start plasmas at t reasonable prices such as lotos, everlast, herocut, but can’t find anything like it over here, just end up back at hypertherm.

 

[gaz1]

a rough reference to it

I have this stupid idea for cheap THC control for Cut40

And as there some other like minded souls on here I thought I would share my thoughts so they can be picked over and comments raised. When playing with my cut40, so I will assume very similar to cut50 etc. I found then when not cutting, i.e. the torch switch is off, the voltage at the terminals...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[sebring115]

This is quite useful on how to ground a cnc plasma

https://xnet.hypertherm.com/Xnet/library/download/?file=HYP103900

 

[T0rnado69]

i fancy doing something like he did but as 4ft x 2ft size.
but wont be for awhile as i need to make space, and got a lot of other projects/jobs to sort first.

 

[sebring115]

This ones quite good, he does some interesting stuff with 3d printed parts too, see his tube bender dies

 

[gaz1]

i would consider a lower build for those with not large enough workshops

something on this rage

the reference is saw mill whilst low it means you can slide another table over it and have screwthreads down the sides and protected rather well

easy enough to slide a long sheet onto the unit and remove the offcuts when needed ive noticed alot of high units getting the stuff off can be a nightmare in itself

the diyers dont need a high unit but can use a lower unit instead ( concrete can also be used on these smaller models )

 

[sebring115]

This is quite a good idea for a portable unit, means you can plonk it on a larger sheet too.