Plasma - I took the leap

LowRider CNC Your Builds
41

I am not sure what I am going to do about the table. I really wanted a multi use machine and to avoid water by just using a downdraft, but the control box is quickly pointing out that that might not be possible. I don’t think I will ever use the plasma enough to justify a water table, and water a wood chips, will get nasty quick, but a downdraft could easily work for both (I think).

I don’t have room for another table based machine so I will have to choose a router or plasma if I can not make both work in the same footprint.

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42

So I guess that leads to the LR3. I need to get the plasma working to have the best chance at making it work for both, preferably easily interchangeably.

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43

depending on the z height on your machine, you could build a water table that’s self contained and can be slid onto the table top.

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44

Downdraft on something that big will really piss off the neighbors. Take a really large fan to work properly.

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45

No box fan and a couple filters? This plasma thing is getting out of hand.

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46

Box fans have horrible suction. They’re designed to blow. I use one on my paintbooth and it works ok for lightweight particles, but it takes forever to clear out the tent.

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47

At the minimum a couple forced air squirrel fans. Or one bigger one if you can find one.

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48

Dang it, I was hoping a gentle breeze would keep the smoke flowing out. I will see if I can get one cheap from harbor freight.

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49

Maybe one of the wen air filters?

WEN 3410 3-Speed Remote-Controlled Air Filtration System (300/350/400 CFM), Basic w/ RF Remote (400 CFM) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPD9BDI/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_QBCK5212FQ8AR1CQFKCZ

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50

Don’t forget, it’s not all smoke, a lot of it is vaporized metal, and it condenses on shit.

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Man, doing things right is always the best bet. Looks like water is the right way, catches more nasty stuff and controls warpage considerably…fine, some sort of drop table…I mean water table. :wink:

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53

Somewhere I saw someone make a pump to pump in and out the water in their plasma table. That way they could run it as a cnc router without worrying about the big pan of water under the spoil board causing mold issues.

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54

I think that would have to be the solution. Depending on frequency of use. Some sort of coffee filter as it drains back into the jug to catch and woods chips I didn’t blow out of the surface before filling. Shallow table, wood spoilboard that is removable, water, jug, pump.

Still working on the touch sensor. Couple relays and some wiring and I think I can get ready to test this thing.

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55

Okay, following, Plasma Cutting Primer for LinuxCNC Users I just bought a few DC-DC SSR’s and the diode. I am not sure why there is a third SSR, it seems like serious overkill but it was a $10 part. So I will add it.

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I was going to suggest that as I have the Big brother (WEN 3415T 3-Speed Remote-Controlled Industrial-Strength Air Filtration System (556/702/1044 CFM)) of it, and @barry99705 is right, is not just smoke. It would not be the solution

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57

If you search for “Jim Colt downdraft table” you’ll find recommendations from a pro for proper CFM for downdraft.

I read he personally runs a hybrid table, that is a water table like 8ish inches below the cutting surface while also pulling air out from the sides with a fan.

What ever you do you for sure don’t want to breath the “vaporized” steel! I wear a respirator, the old timers call me paranoid. I’ve got a water pan built and ready to go and recently installed better ventilation in the shop.

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58

Cool, I definitely want to see how it is done the right way.

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59

Needing an update here :slight_smile:

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60

SSR’s are sitting here ready to go. Got a little Xmas rush to catch up on then back to farting around.

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