Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Share and learn with other DIY members who have built their own plasma tables and accessories.
adbuch
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8580
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by adbuch »

spidey4fun wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:57 pm Thanks for the feedback. I hadnt given much thought where to best place the earth lead. I can see how connecting it to anything other then the pipe might cause arcing issues.
I also run a separate earth ground from the material being cut to an 8 ft. copper clad ground rod driven into the ground located about 10 ft. away from the machine. In the photo, you will notice a large copper lug mounted to the end of the machine support frame. In my case the cable attached with the clamp to the material being cut has the other end attached to this copper lug. I then attach both the earth ground cable clamp and work lead clamp to this copper lug. So this effectively connects both the work lead and earth ground directly to the material being cut.
David
Stand-Alone PlasmaCAM Tubing Cutter 7.jpg

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

spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

I've started my next project and this is the first part cut on my DIY plasma cutter..

Greolt
2.5 Star Member
2.5 Star Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:36 am

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by Greolt »

Looking good Brad.
You have come a long way from cutting spider eyes on the laser. πŸ‘πŸ˜
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Hey Greg. By the time I got to spider eyes I'd learnt heaps. This is where it all started...

Image

I think this is your Milwaukee I used before I purchased my own when the above router broke.

Image

And I have to say without your help, and advise from the very start I doubt I'd be where Im at now. So THANKS!!!!! :Yay
adbuch
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8580
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by adbuch »

spidey4fun wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 1:40 am I've started my next project and this is the first part cut on my DIY plasma cutter..

Very impressive indeed!!
David

:Like :Like :Like :Like :Like
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

First large cut. Im still a little unsure why the Plasma cutter switched off at the end, but recovered the cut easy enough.

spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

This should work.


And my other new little helper. :)

User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 7754
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by acourtjester »

Well looks like you having fun with DIY projects, and sharing them with us. I built a saw like that years ago and the secret is do not oil the blade while cutting. the oil keeps the swarth from falling away from the metal and gums up the process. Dry is better IMHO :-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
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

So here's my first attempt to cut a pipe.



A little more fine tuning required but it seems to work. :Yay
User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 7754
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by acourtjester »

Ah the old third time is the trick :HaHa remember any step forward is a success, little fine tuning and you will be there. :Like
Here is a similar tube cutter I built, I cut and welded up a manual 3 jaw chuck for an easier transfer of power to the tube.
have fun, DIY is alive and well in your shop :Yay
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
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Yes i'd seen your video. It gave me the idea to use the metal braided straps. Thanks.
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Some more plasma cutting on my project.

adbuch
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8580
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by adbuch »

That's another great video!! Please keep them coming.
Thanks,
David
Greolt
2.5 Star Member
2.5 Star Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:36 am

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by Greolt »

Going great guns there Spidey. πŸ‘
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Here's another..

spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Here's a quick tutorial on altering a mach3 screen. Thanks for the idea Greg. Hope it's useful to someone.

ralphieboy127
1/2 Star Member
1/2 Star Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:41 am

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by ralphieboy127 »

Hi There,
I too am using Mach3 (I clicked on every feature there is over the last four years.....LOL) I am also using a floating head with a homemade macro
It works great, I am using the spindle delay feature for my pierce delay with an on screen DRO to adjust the pierce delay, I would like to also put the cut height on an on screen DRO to adjust the cut height (instead of modifying my macro) do you think you could help me with this?
Thank you, Ralph
ralphieboy127
1/2 Star Member
1/2 Star Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:41 am

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by ralphieboy127 »

Hi There,
I too am using Mach3 (I clicked on every feature there is over the last four years.....LOL) I am also using a floating head with a homemade macro
It works great, I am using the spindle delay feature for my pierce delay with an on screen DRO to adjust the pierce delay, I would like to also put the cut height on an on screen DRO to adjust the cut height (instead of modifying my macro) do you think you could help me with this?
Thank you, Ralph
spidey4fun
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by spidey4fun »

Hi Ralph. Did you get this sorted? It's been a long time since I been on this board. brad@spidey4fun.com

Brad.
adbuch
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8580
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

Re: Mill Conversion to Plasma cutter.

Post by adbuch »

Welcome back Brad! I had forgotten all about this thread. Your recent post has jogged my memory and I will take another look at some of your neat projects you shared above.

Thanks,
David
Post Reply

Return to β€œDIY Plasma Table & Accessory Discussion Forum”