Hello from the Big Apple

[DrBob]

Hi, all. I'm DrBob a welding and metal fab hobbyist. I just purchased a Longevity Force Cut 40D Pilot Arc and can't wait for delivery!
I would like to hear any suggestions for building a small plasma table light enough to move easily and at least 2' square.

DrBob

[Gadget]

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum.
I have built a small CNC plasma/router table and am more than willing to share what I have learned in the process. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Dan

[DrBob]

Hi, Dan!
I am hoping that it is practical to build a box that will fit on top of my welding table and allow me to cut safely without going through the box and table top. I plan to cut mostly sheet but occasionally plate. How deep would the box have to be? I also plan to weld on a piece of 2" pipe to connect to my shop vac to control the fumes. Will that work out?
What did you use for the 'cutting surface'? I planned a series of 1/8" x 1" flat rod on edge every few inches. Am I on the right track?
DrBob

[KHK]

Hello Bob, and WELCOME!!!
Gadget is the resident expert on CNC plasma. Let the stepper motors roar!

[Gadget]

Hi, Dan!
I am hoping that it is practical to build a box that will fit on top of my welding table and allow me to cut safely without going through the box and table top. I plan to cut mostly sheet but occasionally plate. How deep would the box have to be? I also plan to weld on a piece of 2" pipe to connect to my shop vac to control the fumes. Will that work out?
What did you use for the 'cutting surface'? I planned a series of 1/8" x 1" flat rod on edge every few inches. Am I on the right track?
DrBob

Bob,
I think you would need at least three inches and would be better with four. I don't know if a shop vac would give enough air flow to clear the fumes from the entire table. I just use a floor fan to blow the fumes out the garage door. I think you will need more than 1" for the flats. I don't use anything, I just clamp the metal to two cross beams but I occasionally have warpage problems. I think 2" strips of 16 gauge sheet every two or three inches will be plenty but cut some extras, you will eventually burn through them.
Dan

[DrBob]

Bob,
I think you would need at least three inches and would be better with four. I don't know if a shop vac would give enough air flow to clear the fumes from the entire table. I just use a floor fan to blow the fumes out the garage door. I think you will need more than 1" for the flats. I don't use anything, I just clamp the metal to two cross beams but I occasionally have warpage problems. I think 2" strips of 16 gauge sheet every two or three inches will be plenty but cut some extras, you will eventually burn through them.
Dan

Great Dan! Just the answer I needed. I will install a 220v 50A circuit in my garage and build a box 2'x2'x4" with some 16GAx 2" strips. I am going to try and construct it so that the strips will just drop in and pull out without grinding off welds. I think that your garage solution is safer than my original idea. I have heard that the dross from the cut is very staining to the concrete of the garage floor, so I need to find a fireproof blanket or sheet of asbestos cloth to put under the cutting frame. Maybe just some fiberglass insulation.
DrBob

[Gadget]

DrBob,
If you put a center brace down the middle to support the slats then make the slats slightly long making them bend slightly they will stand up straight and support better.
I have the epoxy pain on my garage floor and it cleans up easily, no stains there.

Dan