Any Cable boom ideas?

Share and learn with other DIY members who have built their own plasma tables and accessories.
Post Reply
Probird
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:03 am

Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by Probird »

Are they worth having?
Not sure which way to go, will a cable boom be a pain or do they actually work decent....
Anyone built one that works good?

I will be loading sheets with a forklift, so not worried about it being in the way.

Thanks
4x8 Premier Plasma Table
Hypertherm 45xp
Inkscape
Viacad
Sheetcam
Mach3
Proma 150 THC
User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 7770
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by acourtjester »

I have installed wire booms an the table I built for the Plasma torch cable only. And for router AC power for a router or air supply for the scribe when switching the torch out.
I used carabiners attached to the cable/air lines to clip on the boom for easy changing. I found a spring and pivot is needed on the end so the boom will flip around when when changing directions. :)
cable boom assembly.JPG
DSCN1668.JPG

You currently do not have access to download this file.
To gain download access for DXF, SVG & other files Click Here

DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
User avatar
WyoGreen
4 Star Member
4 Star Member
Posts: 897
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:36 pm
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Re: Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by WyoGreen »

I use a cable boom to isolate my plasma cable from the rest of the cables in my table cable track. It's just a 10 foot length of 1" conduit bent to the appropriate shape. It's mounted on the middle of the side of my table, and ends in the middle of the table above the gantry. I welded a large washer on the conduit that rides on a ball bearing that is mounted on top of a slightly larger conduit that the 1" conduit goes through on the side of the table. This lets the boom swivel with very little effort. I don't have a picture of the setup right now, but it is somewhat similar to acourtjester's.

My feeling is the boom helps keep noise off the motor and control cables in the cable track.

Steve
Precision Plasma gantry
CommandCNC Linux controller w/Feather Touch & PN200 hand controller
HT-45 plasma cutter
Plate Marker
Router
Laser
User avatar
steel 35
3.5 Star Member
3.5 Star Member
Posts: 634
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:12 am
Location: N of Cali.

Re: Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by steel 35 »

I spent about a week trying to do mine from a corner, before getting the help already suggested
PPL HDG 4X8
Hyp 65 duramax's
C&CNC 620-5 Ethernet
Inkscape, Solid Edge, Sheetcam, Autocad 2K
Corel X7 Student NO DXF!
EasyScriber
User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 7770
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by acourtjester »

If you have a 8' table it is better to have it in the middle. In the lower picture you can see a pivot arm I used so the boom will be able to change directions with the table. That thing swivels with the cable when you move the torch around the table, the spring keeps it straight when not turning.
The spring is light similar to one on a screen door. :D
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
IBBruin
2 Star Member
2 Star Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:49 am
Location: Just south of Tupelo

Re: Any Cable boom ideas?

Post by IBBruin »

I went with the KISS method. Simple but it works. :D

You currently do not have access to download this file.
To gain download access for DXF, SVG & other files Click Here

Darryl

Gorilla 48x48
PM 65
Aspire 9.015
Post Reply

Return to “DIY Plasma Table & Accessory Discussion Forum”