CNC Plasma Cutter Build, How I built my 3 axis CNC Plasma with THC Control

[@UDoIt2]

Who would watch this entire video? ME!!! I'm your ideal viewer! Thank you so much for the detail. I really appreciate the depth you went into. This makes me feel like I can build my own plasma CNC. You answered many of the questions I had.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HighlyEclectic]

Thank you for a well communicated breakdown of your build. This is very helpful for someone who might consider building their own CNC.

[@kenshutes6032]

Awesome build. I really like those limit switches and the nema 34's are bad ass powerful.

[@MLFranklin]

I really enjoyed the comprehensive descriptions.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I'm glad!

[@KW-ei3pi]

You mentioned the problem with the voltage signal from the Everlast machine for the THC. Have you solved that or do you need a better Plasma Cutter? Thanks. Great Video

[@blueangelstudios]

Hello, I have literally just stumbled across your CNC Plasma cutter build project and it is super inspiring me to give it a go. Thank you for that. Excellent commentary that instills confidence in future builders of these machines like me. Well done and thank you. I have one question if you don`t mind. Given the issues you mention with the plasma cutting machine, if you could match up a new plasma cutting machine (you may have already done so by now), what machine would you recommend for the control system and gantry you have demoed here. I thank you in advance for any recommendation you can give. Cheers!!... Chris

[@Nick-1234]

Great job, I really enjoyed reading the video. I am thinking about building a plasma cutter very similar to yours is there a way I can get the STL files for the 3D printed parts?

[@richmansvideo]

Thanks mate, best explanation i ever listen.

[@mattwright7042]

Picatinni and scope mount I love it

[@larryshreve9076]

I'm sure he's on the ATF watchlist now

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Probably not for this, but yes. My dog died of natural causes and we haven't replaced him just in case

[@modernrenaissanceman1211]

Did you ever get your THC working properly? I ask because I'm building a similar setup with a Pokeys57CNC controller, Proma PlasmaSens THC, and the Everlast PowerPlasma 82i so I was hoping they all play together.

[@DynamicSeq]

Hi..Love the build..Building a 4 x 4 heavily inspired by your's table...One thing, the drive pulleys on the motors... 20 tooth ??..and is there a chance you would share the 3d files for the belt tensioner ?? .Thanks

[@phenioxflyingpistons7314]

Any chance you could post where you bought the parts needed for this. Other than the ones listed in the video. If not thats ok there's still a lot of valuable information here!

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I will try to take some time this weekend and add a BOM with links to the description for you guys. Thanks!

[@mysunseekers]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to do it!

[@LoudandProudBSE]

My pleasure!

[@MrRenoman2011]

This video is awesome great job.

[@eriksalo5550]

This was an excellent video. Thank you for making it.

[@darkwinter6028]

There are some good KZbin videos on how to solder those style of connectors. In general, you really ought to have a proper temperature controlled soldering station (even a cheap one is orders of magnitude better than an uncontrolled “fire starter”), good electronics solder, flux, and a means of removing excess solder (braid, a solder sucker, or an actual desoldering gun). Magnification is also essential - I have a stereo microscope; but even a cheap desk magnifying glass is better than nothing. Also, don’t forget ventilation... soldering makes smoke that you don’t want to breathe.

[@PawsUToob]

Excellent table build. Quality of construction and attention to detail you have invested in this makes my low budget plasma table look pretty crude. Could have really used this 2 years ago. But I still learned a few things and got some great ideas for my next table project. Many Thanks. BTW, what CAM and control software are you using?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I'm using Sheetcam and Mach 4 for motion control. Pokey's robust ethernet and mach 4 is a perfect match for the electrical noise in a plasma table

[@ryanschmoll4324]

Great build, .... would like to see under the water table, or at least how its supported. Thx

[@LoudandProudBSE]

There is just two pieces of 2x2 tube run across. It just sits on them. If the water is out I can just pick the tray out and hose the slag out

[@Enrx90]

Thank you very much for your videos and it’s been helpful for me … I have my own DIY CNC build and I Use the same controllers pokey57CNC … i use GYS plasma cutter with built-in air compressor and it’s not capable for the CNC table but I make Wiring modified to fit on my CNC … I have two main issue the first one are use a Vietnam cheapTHC and it’s not work correctly I’ll try many solutions add many things it’s one to work … The second issue that’s have just come it’s about what is the plasma arc is engage suddenly the 57cnc it’s stop … and I noticed that you talk about the ethernet that’s block of the Frequency The come from the plasma and what about the software Does it work with mach3 ? and thank you very much

[@georgef1176]

Can you tell me the name of that euro company you got your Cnc electronics from I know the pokey57 but that other company that sells the package. Thank you.

[@gregcelaya955]

I noticed that yours is a 2x4. Do you ever find the need to have a 4x4 or larger? Did you follow plans anywhere or have any suggestions? Thanks for your videos!!

[@richmansvideo]

please can you place in description electronics parts that you use

[@bryanford1139]

Just wondering if you ever got around to a build list?

[@darkwinter6028]

Actually, what you want isn’t necessarily the highest holding torque, but rather the highest torque at speed; which can occur in a motor that’s one step down in size (I.e, a 23 instead of a 34). Exact details, of course, depends on the motors under consideration. 🤔

[@TheFixxxer11]

Super nice diy, super nice video

[@LoudandProudBSE]

thank you for watching! If you have questions let me know.

[@TechToolboxTutorial]

Hi, nice build. I’m building a similar CNC right now. What is the max speed (millimeter per minutes) you can have in your cnc and how thin metal can you cut with good results? And what is the diameter on the pulley on the nema 34 motor? Thanks a lot

[@LoudandProudBSE]

My rapids are right at 300ipm and max cut is about 140ipm. If the cut any faster you get some spring in the z axis assembly and it causes and overshoot

[@38chevyhotrod]

This is a good video to get me started on a cnc plasma. I have 2 thing that i wonder. First, I have a relatively cheap cutter with pilot arc. Would that be a problam? I plan on using a Proma thc (the cutter has an cnc port) Second, I wonder why you went for the nema 34 in stead of the nema 23, i would think the 23 would be stong enough. The take less power, are cheaper, and use cheaper stepper drivers.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I would stay away from anything with high frequency start. It will cause alot of electrical noise shielded lines or not. Nema 23 are sufficient for this application. There are no tooling loads other than the acceleration of the gantry. It this was a router then I'd go that route. I've crashed this machine once of twice. Those nema 23 motors have enough power to break stuff the way they're geared if the belts dont skip lol.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

The the issue is with the cnc output of the everlast...not the plasmasens. Cnc port reads out garbage voltages

[@38chevyhotrod]

@@LoudandProudBSE Thanks for explaining. How does a non hf/pilot arc start the arc. I rather not buy another cutter but if it won't work, i have no choice.

[@bryanford1139]

@@38chevyhotrod I believe hearing in another guys video on his plasma table build that Pilot arc is the way to go. Pretty sure this what Hypertherm uses...

[@38chevyhotrod]

@@bryanford1139 Pilot arc alone should work. Fortunalely mine has pilot arc combined with HF like most of the budget cutters with pilot arc.

[@bryanford1139]

How much $ do you have invested in this build?(nvmd I found your earlier response to xanxan) And have you put together a build list? This is flyin high on my radar !

[@xander1921]

Awesome build! I was wondering around how much did it cost in total?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Eh i recall around $1500 without the plasma itself

[@michaelosborne4065]

Wow! I have just seen your video and you have the exact same setup as me. I also opted for the Pokeys57CNC with PlasmaSens etc. I am really struggling to set the unit up with Mach4, is there any way I could talk to you or you could share your Mach4 settings please. I am at the end of my wick with trying to get Mach4 to work with my system and you have cracked it! Any help would be REALLY great fully received! Thanks 🙏

[@michaelosborne4065]

Please help 😔

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I got you bud. Ill film a one take today for ya

[@LoudandProudBSE]

What have you done and what is hanging you up so I know what to focus on?

[@michaelosborne4065]

@@LoudandProudBSE brilliant! Thanks for getting back to me, I was getting really desperate 😂. I would like to see all of your settings for the following please: 1. motors (I want to see how you setup THC in the motor settings). 2. THC including how you assigned it to the analogue registry if possible. 3. how you set the relay up to work with the torch on / off function in Mach4. 4. After seeing your table using the proximity sensors I have just purchased a full set of these, could you say briefly how you wired them, I am a little confused as to where the wires must run and don't want to kill the board by wiring it wrong 😂 5. Lastly, if you use SheetCAM, what post processor do you use? Thank you so much for your help, it's my first table and I am having to do a lot of learning quickly 👍

[@joshuadunn882]

Did you buy a kit from PoKey or did you just buy a few parts here and there as you went along?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I just bought the electronics piece by piece

[@macleod3600]

Excellent build! Just wondering what size belts are you using?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Gt5 belts

[@asmandrade]

Muito bom!

[@Fehal94]

Hey, nice Build... do you have a link where you geht the Controller from and which cad cam software do you use ?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Controller: www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57cnc/ Drivers are the 6amp version from the same company

[@LoudandProudBSE]

www.machsupport.com/software/mach4/ This is the controller software I use

[@douggelina4425]

Very impressed, what software are you programming the cutting with?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

I use sheetcam primarily

[@StevenPenny]

What’s crazy is the larger tables are so much more but it’s really the same components, just a little more wire and metal, certainly not enough to justify $2-5k more.

[@jimdaug]

What are you using for air and filtering?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Air is supplied by a Ingersol Rand SS5 and its filtered and dried through a homemade desicant style holder. Its good for a couple days and then it needs dried. I also have expansion type collectors/filters on each drop on the shop.

[@aplusdesigners]

Hey LoudandProud, GREAT VIDEO! Do you have a list with the parts required to build this machine? I would love to build one for my hobby shop.

[@azariahkason1781]

i guess Im pretty off topic but do anyone know of a good place to stream new series online?

[@leoantonio5477]

@Azariah Kason I watch on Flixzone. Just search on google for it =)

[@jasonty2307]

@Leo Antonio yea, have been watching on Flixzone for months myself :)

[@azariahkason1781]

@Leo Antonio Thank you, I went there and it seems to work =) I appreciate it!

[@leoantonio5477]

@Azariah Kason Happy to help :D

[@weekendhack.whatsnext]

Thanks for the info. I have a Crossfire Pro CNC plasma table on order and was planning on buying the Everlast 82i plasma cutter with the CNC package to go with it when it arrives next month. Should I be concerned about the Everlast cutter? I'd hate to spend $1500 on that cutter and not be able to use it with the torch height controller on the plasma table.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

Honeslty I'm not sure. The plasma it self has been great but the voltage is all over. I would just say, be prepared to install leads yourself if need be.

[@weekendhack.whatsnext]

@@LoudandProudBSE Thanks for the quick response. So you think that there is a fix for this issue that does not require another cutter? If not do you know of a better option?

[@LoudandProudBSE]

The brute force method is to wire to the full voltage in. Im not familiar enough to recommend it for safety reasons. Not sure what other machine competes in this price range

[@weekendhack.whatsnext]

@@LoudandProudBSE What model Everlast do you have and how old is it? I am trying to research this a little more.

[@LoudandProudBSE]

@@weekendhack.whatsnext mine is the 60s. Bought it one year ago almost exactly.

[@pablito0603]

Hi, thanky ou for this great video. Great work! I would like to know more as I am starting to build my own plasma cutter/CNC machine. Please let me know your e mail or something where I can reach for more info. Telegram if you have it as you do not need to share your number or anything, just a nick name. Thank you!