Budget DIY CNC Plasma Cutter || Motion and Controls

Going over the motion and controls of the plasma cutter
Plans - jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/
Recommended Plasma Cutters - jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/recom...
For all inquires email us jsaction4[at]gmail.com
#CNC #Plasmacutter #DIY

[@jdsgarage701]

For more Information you can check out our website here. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@mauricesteer8023]

I cut my first steel today. Thanks to both of you for the work you have done to bring a plasma table to my humble workshop. Take the plunge and order the drawings.

[@bryannill3435]

The box has arrived and inventoried. Gathering up the hardware I have on hand and figuring what needs to be sourced. Let the fun begin!

[@Devin82m]

Thanks so much for sharing this, I was thinking about buying one, but didn't want to spend the money after recently buying a CNC Router and a bunch of woodworking tools. I'm going to build this, it will help me understand more about how it all works.

[@joshuacaylor881]

I just downloaded your plans and 3D printed parts are on the way. Only a few materials left to acquire then I will begin building. I can’t thank y’all enough. The plans and information are very detailed, very thorough. I encourage others to explore what these guys have to offer the CNC community

[@amorton94]

You go through with building it? How'd it go? Make a business out of it?

[@matiasrodriguez9811]

Hello, I want to buy the plans, but I want to make sure if the iron tubulars exist in my country, I wanted to know the dimensions, if it is 40x40mm, I would appreciate it if you help me with this information

[@amorton94]

@@matiasrodriguez9811 If you could be bothered to click a link and look for yourself, you'd see that they have a metric set of plans available. You're welcome.

[@xt1200z1]

@@matiasrodriguez9811 25.4mm square tubeing 1.77mm wall. I used less than 30' (9.144M).

[@Wink9]

Keep it going great job !

[@Flexwingflyer1]

Nice job. Love the simplicity of it.I Like what I saw so much I ordered your plans and 3d parts.

[@jdsgarage701]

Awsome, thanks for ths support!!

[@andrzejdzioch8671]

@@jdsgarage701 what is working space?

[@wht240sxka]

At that kind of speed a “tip-up” could be catastrophic. Lol. However, nice build. I went a little different route with mine. (Just recently found your channel). Great explanations and content. Thanks!

[@xt1200z1]

I'm nearing completion of my build from your plans. Proto typing a SKU1204 x 900mm ball screw for the X axis. Wanted to get some weight off of the Z axis. Calibration is way different than the belt drive with 20T pulley. Big Con: Can't move the X axis without power ( I miss that option) Finished 1/8" x 2" x 30" slats today. Waiting on flexible connector for the ball screw to motor connection to finish build. I'm using ESP32 and FluidNC and most likely Universal Code Sender as it will allow bluetooth for PlayStation4 controller Only 1 part (3D printed) that was out of spec, the torch clamp hole centers was long. (I designed another one) I used PETG for all 3D prints. Still waiting for an update on the THC pcb. Building Z axis now. Thanks a bunch for the very detailed plans and documentation!

[@trirunner2520]

I love the design and how rigid it looks. Just a thought for a future upgrade. I have been wanting to build a large CNC table like this, but want it to be able to double as a 2D plasma cutter, but also a 3D router CNC machine for wood and aluminum. Your table is heavy duty enough to pull it off with a couple of modifications. One, I would spend the extra $$ for the lead screws due to the torque if you were cutting aluminum. Two, I would put another rail on the opposite side just for support to keep the arm from bending if cutting aluminum. Last, you would need the router attachment. Now you have a multi-use CNC table!

[@r2db]

It makes a lot more sense to combine laser and plasma. A CNC router needs exceptional rigidity due to the cutting loads, and any reasonable spindle weighs a whole lot more than a plasma torch and laser module combined. Lasers and plasma cutters do not need that degree of rigidity, nor are there any cutting forces to deal with. If you are building the machine rigid enough to be a CNC router it is going to be a lot more expensive and way overkill for plasma or laser use. There is absolutely no way this could function reasonably as a CNC router with the fully cantilevered design. Adding another support and rail significantly limits the use of the machine if you are dealing with full sheets of metal on a regular basis, unless you also build it with a 4x8 work envelope, which again adds very significant cost. Then we also get into dual steppers for one axis, and keeping them perfectly in step can be problematic unless you have picked big enough servo motors or closed-loop steppers, which again adds very significant cost. TL;DR: Adding laser and/ or plasma to a CNC router - overkill in terms of rigidity and a much smaller work envelope per dollar spent. Adding CNC router to a laser and/ or plasma - not viable for any laser or plasma that was not massively overengineered in the first place.

[@colbymcmullen5393]

ill defiantly be ordering a kit from you in the near future

[@roadboogalabuilds5318]

Cool 👍 lookin good!

[@hoosierfatha]

Wow!!! Been looking for this for a long time. your content is perfect, to the point and easy to understand. i'm going to build this and i'm hoping this is your intention. do you have the print files for the bearing guides, or are they for sale printed. let me know what you need...thanks...

[@igor8898]

heyya guys! We're down in Ukraine and without importing at great expense we cant get 70 or 65 or 75mm tube for the gantry spacer, we can get 60 or 80mm as standard sizes. wasn't too bad to make a 75 into a 60. thanks again!

[@michaelpurcell8984]

Great build I love the simplicity where can I buy the plans and the electronics

[@Engineering_Science]

Can you discuss more how you built the belt drive system for the rollers and what type of bolts? Also how did you make the 3D printed linear guide truck system?

[@MrPortdaven]

heyya guys!, absolutely loving what you guys are coming up with, the budget engineering is genius! bought some plans and its coming along awesome! just a heads up with the metric plans, we're down in AUS and without importing at great expense we cant get 70mm tube for the gantry spacer, we can get 65 or 75mm as standard sizes. wasn't too bad to make a 75 into a 70. but i thought id give some feedback. keep doing what you're doing! thanks again!

[@jdsgarage701]

Nice to hear you are making progress! The associated parts for the 65mm and the 75mm gantry sizes are now available for download.

[@MrPortdaven]

@@jdsgarage701 you absolute bloody legends! Rippa!

[@shimarlie1]

@@MrPortdaven How are you going with this? Did you produce a working model? I am very interested in making one (also in AU) and would love to hear some feedback on how you got on

[@bibihassberg1570]

We could swap some stuff ...xD Here in germany 70mm is common, but almost impossible to get 3" (~76mm] tubbing, at least for prizes that not in the gold/platin/diamond-area

[@pgriffinjrsc]

Love the plans yall! Would the Arduino Uno R4 work?

[@bigmc5706]

Guy's ............. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!! well done. I am definitely going to build one myself. BTW, did you write the code for the Arduino controller or is it available online to download. Thanks

[@86toutoune]

Thanks for eeverything once again. I allready have a plasma cutter integrated to my AC/DC TIG welder, however the TIG is a HF start. So I guess the plasma ignition uses high frequency too, no ? In this case, I have one question, because I read the interference an electo-magnetic noises may harm the electronic. Does anyone here has experienced HF cutter issues with JD's Garage setting and hardware ? Any Arduino being somehow burnt, or frequent issues or reset during the cutting process ? Is the cable shielding enough ? I may take a risk if it looks like it might work. I mean, I prefer risking to destroy one arduino board, than buying a new plasma cutter, if it appears that the HF plasma start may work anyway. Whatever experience you have is welcome

[@rsz90182]

Would it help to add a single roller at the far end to reduce sagging and stress on the large y-axis support?

[@cosmicway4048]

Hi i really love this design, could the rails be made out of 2 inch aluminum, i have a stack of new aluminum square tubing i bought for a past project

[@disasterdetail5520]

i would pay for a parts list on a website or somthing realy clean design the belt tesioning and expexialy the drive motor position is remarkable

[@jdsgarage701]

Plans are now available. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@SaraCaseb]

For sure! Sent you a message for assistance with x & y axis movement

[@MiggyParas]

is there a way we can clone an axis?(2 motors w/ 2 or 1 drivers in one axis)

[@patdallaire5545]

I love that unit I'm in to build one to

[@georgebarnes4410]

Really need to do a video on the computer software required to run this… I kinda NEED to build this

[@wardnelson1305]

Soo cool

[@jarcineymilhomemcaldas1954]

Congratulations excellent cnc, where do I buy the supports?

[@kerryholt7102]

Would you mind doing an in depth video on the electronic and how to wire everything.

[@Transformers1983jd]

What did you use for the box with the electronic in it. Better yet were to get it?

[@michaelyopp4236]

On the silver foil,where does this attach on the motors and drives thanks

[@bobbyz7736]

Do we need to use grade 5 fasteners or can we get by the generic grade 2-3 from Box stores?

[@patrickm.8425]

Did this all work? I've heard USB and other things will go crazy from the plasma cutter because of noise. etc.

[@RuggedFish]

I'm tempted to 3d print y motor mount as well as a couple other metal pieces.

[@RoboArc]

I'd suggest use more plastic. Don't hold back on plastic. But I like all of this 🙃 I really had to bulk up on my cnc to make it effective. I need to make a video. I took a break for work, but I'm back at it again. I also got huge motors now, so I'm doing well. But I like this desfine, I wish I had more tools. This would of been a nice build.

[@jamesbowenjr.3022]

would love to build but i have no idea what is needed after the build to make it work or how to even put in info to do something. also what costs are associated after the build for any programing needed. is this run from my laptop or do I need a computer. Thanks for anything you can guide me on

[@miltonross2276]

nice!

[@riverbottomband]

Hey JD im in the process of wiring mine...how did you get the 18ga wire into the aurduino?

[@dylandesmond]

How are you turning the plasma cutter on and off?

[@gsdtdeaux7]

Someone yall know have a Langmuir Systems table bc this looks like a clone minus the belt drive. If i didnt use firecontrol id probably convert mine to belt drive.

[@matthiasl5253]

good Morning from Germany How you have connected adruino to the driver And witch software you run on the system. Thank you for your reply and your support

[@Arek_R.]

Why not get all in one board like MKS DLC32 for example, $22 from ali and its small, everything wired via reliable locking connectors, 3 axes, 2A drivers that will drive small plasma cutter like that just fine, wifi, sd card, optional colour screens for offline use/control and more. With chinese copying all the open source projects and spewing-out dirt cheap all in one boards it's not worth it for long time now to mess around with plain arduino boards.

[@hoosierfatha]

just ordered plans and printed parts...

[@sheets8277]

This is gonna be sweet any help on an electronic box where did you guys get your from got a link maybe

[@bobbyz7736]

Did you find an answer on the electronic box?

[@shaneschuller2513]

What controller software does yiur machine use? And the CAM sofware?

[@DaveBuildsThings]

I can easily build a similar system as have done with both my CNC wood router and 40 Watt optical laser cutter. My question is, what is the software you are using to run the plasma cutter? No mention of it in your video. It would be helpful to know that part. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Hola amigo, muy buen trabajo el q has realizado, que tan posible es que puedas proporcionar unos planos? Incluso el del los carros, Felicitaciones...

[@jdsgarage701]

We are working on some kind of plans for the plasma cutter. Unfortunately there are no plans for the blue car and there won't be any. The red car on the other has is a modified version of the plans made by @KJ Raycing, you can find the plans on his channel.

[@jdsgarage701]

@ The .stl files for 3d printing need some refinement first. Some changes were made to the parts after printing, and sadly we haven't had time to correct them yet.

[@jdsgarage701]

Plans are now available. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@aaronharris8245]

Has someone or you got a full build and proper drawings on this. By the way legends doing this yourself. And I want to do same

[@Fabwell901]

That’s wicked! I’m keen to build one! Is there an open source code for the Arduino?

[@jdsgarage701]

Yes it is open source. The machine runs on grbl

[@anthonyhoffman9201]

Getting close to cutting. Can you please go into more detail about wiring the relay to the plasma cutter. The wiring diagram only has two wires on the input side but there are three.

[@jdsgarage701]

If you go back to where you downloaded the plans you should see an updated schematic.

[@AS-ug2vq]

What the tooth count on your gt2 pulley?

[@Benbear2022]

Funny bloopers. Haha

[@trickies]

Do you sell the THC electronics

[@technokid414]

I suggest you mount the motor on the table so that the motor won't have to carry its own weight.

[@user-sr8fx9mm8x]

What 3D printer are you using?

[@playparx]

I am confused... connecting the arduino straight to the driver? No cnc board needed??? Any links?

[@robprice2317]

what cam program do you use?

[@matiasrodriguez9811]

Hello, I want to buy the plans, but I want to make sure if the iron tubulars exist in my country. I wanted to know the dimensions. If it is 50x50mm, I would appreciate it if you help me with this information.

[@andrewstuckey7736]

Do you bild a complete kit how much thankyou

[@Earthy0]

Any chance you could link to the components that you used? That would be very useful IMHO.

[@jdsgarage701]

Going to publish the component list once the build is complete and has some runtime on it. Want to make sure the thing works properly first.

[@Earthy0]

Cool. Looking forward to this video series. Love your videos so far. 👍😎

[@jdsgarage701]

Plans are now available. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@dylandesmond]

Also what code are you using? Gcode? Do you need to flash the ardunio? I'm looking at getting a laser cutting and running a relay off the laser output... But this option looks good Also. I have nema23 motors with 8mm shafts and 8mm bore pulleys for gt2 15mm belts. I haven't got a board or drivers yet. I was looking at buildbotics, but my knowledge towards turning the cutter on and off is non existent. I do cnc router and 3d printing. I have a shapeoko pro xxl and cr10-max as reference to what I'm capable of achieving. Any advice or direction would be great My budget is what I can make back as profits.

[@shevilihabibi8895]

the design is quite rigid, there are no backlashes?

[@silverify]

how big is it, have mine made 90x70

[@AS-ug2vq]

You never said what microstep setting you used in driver.

[@jirkasvoboda5540]

Hello, I bought plans for cnc plasma construction from you, I can't find in the plans what motor, shafts and timing belts to buy, would it be possible to give some advice? Thank you

[@jdsgarage701]

This is in the Bill of Materials section in the plans.

[@suruchidairy4433]

Hi I want to manufacture this type of machine in India. Can you give me design and drawings of this machines on commercial basis?

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

What would you charge me to build one for me???

[@BryanLund]

What model plasma cutter are you using?

[@jdsgarage701]

LOTOS lt5500d

[@SpaceCadet23]

Is the plasma cutter the pilot arc version LTP5000D or the non pilot arc version LT5000D?

[@jasonrmacomber]

I would have just done linar rails

[@jeremycamacho6090]

Do you have the links for the electronic parts?

[@jdsgarage701]

The full BOM is in the plan package here is the link jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@sharpsticksnz4112]

What is the advantage of having the gantry free floating on one side? It just seems weaker especially when the head is all the way along the gantry over the unsupported side and the other axis is doing fast movements.

[@AS-ug2vq]

Can load material from both sides

[@sharpsticksnz4112]

@@AS-ug2vq that seems a pretty minor advantage considering the structural rigidity disadvantage

[@AS-ug2vq]

@@sharpsticksnz4112 It also needs less stepper driver/motor. Since this doesn't have home switch or limit switch, using two motors become complex. If you make it larger like 4ft+ and use it with belts, it doesn't work that well. This design is good for small cnc table and two motors don't add much here at all.

[@hetavparikh9488]

Hi, can somebody plese tell me how and where can I learn about Arduino coding for this project. I am trying to help one gentleman who is currently working on it.

[@guypatts494]

Whats the effective cutting size on table

[@jdsgarage701]

28" x 32" but can easily be changed

[@guypatts494]

@@jdsgarage701 that's plenty for my needs

[@TheFelix2107]

What's the limitational part here? Might the complonents also able to build a 2*1 m working space?

[@toddsutton5672]

what is the actual control

[@charlesbauer1747]

That 420 oz/in stepper is way overkill

[@MrPlanecaptain]

Are you using GRBL?

[@jdsgarage701]

Yes Grbl 1.1

[@glennmartonic6376]

@@jdsgarage701 so, you could design something in inkscape....an SVG file.....then use a cam program to generate gcode....then send to arduino?

[@jdsgarage701]

@@glennmartonic6376 Correct

[@andrzejdzioch8671]

what is the working space????

[@jdsgarage701]

28" by 30"

[@MrTommytater]

Where did you get your motors?

[@hobojohnson9980]

You were better to spend the money on the ball screws... and you will get much more accuracy, and speed. Belts don't last, they stretch, and then your accuracy goes to shit.

[@erik_dk842]

This would be so much better to watch without the pointless background muzak

[@user-wg5tx3xi5d]

You need to have a schematic diagram for the electronics to explain on it how your electronics work and another flow chart explaining the software and how software control the motors !!! but, you are doing may be enough for grad 2 kid !!! it sucks !!!

[@Freetheworldnow]

Sorry to say this but your voice over music is profoundly annoying. Seriously.