DIY Torch Height Controller FINALLY works!!

[@jdsgarage701]

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

[@glenrock672]

Is this answer to my question on plans/schematics being available at some point? You’re stating the only way to get the THC is to purchase and that requires waiting until you have more in stock? Just trying to figure out my direction at this point. This will help with “no so flat” metal sheets. Using a weight is not always an option as the torch may hit it. Thank You for your reply in advance. Cheers!

[@baronweber6801]

Did y’all notice the new table by the door? Looks like a 4x4 with duel y axes.

[@jdsgarage701]

Someone has got some good eyes ..

[@thedadchronicles]

Should I wait on those plans?

[@riverbottomband]

PLEASE start a Forum!! Ive had my JDs Plasma cutter going for 6 months or so and its the coolest thing, but man it would be nice to talk with other builders. Thanks for all you have done!

[@goodwinml]

Nothing beats a good old fashioned forum. Screw facebook and the like!

[@mortislaevus4069]

Sheets of thin-gauge metal in particular tends to be warped, so getting height of torch set up properly - even with z-axis and touch-offs - can be a pain. Overall cut quality also suffers. This is why I am interested THC.

[@timandrew4515]

So the thc IS useful! Because the material is almost never flat (especially within a 1.5mm tolerance) and the cantilevered arm is very difficult to get within 1.5mm of level.

[@ronsflightsimlab9512]

Awesome work guys! Purchasing plans now...

[@barnbuiltbeaters]

I think the JD's table is a great cheap way to get cutting on a CNC table however the cantilever desgin is a con. I am sure mine is not optimized, but there is a lot of slop out far on the end. I typically end up rotating my sheet to cut closer to the Y-axis support (less slop). The THC would really shine here however, I cant justify the cost. Takes 2 seconds to rotate, or, I could build a 2nd Y-axis rail for much cheaper. Thanks for the video though and thanks for offering the table to the public. This really expanded my capabilities and increase my fabrication time!

[@photorealm]

Great explanation, it is a lot clearer to me now. Thanks for sharing this.

[@regonygamer1175]

Hello, I have some questions regarding the plans because I was planning on buying them: 1. Can I build a bigger CNC with your plans? I need it to be able to cut a whole 1.25 meters by 2 meters metal sheet which is standard here. 2. Do the plans include the links/names and specs of the motors, belts, drivers, power source and the rest of the parts? 3. What filament did you use to print the parts?

[@thewhitetdn]

I bought the plans. Greatest $25 you'll ever spend in this day and age. The description and hyperlinks to everything you need to buy come with them. It gives exact specifics for 3d printing all the parts. It gives exact specifics for how to alter every piece to accommodate whatever size you want to build it to.

[@regonygamer1175]

@@thewhitetdn thanks for the answer, I will begin ordering the plans and the 3d printer so i can start building it

[@the.great.seal.]

Waiting for the Big Project 😃🙌

[@patrickm.8425]

My understanding was, a THC is to help with metal warping from the heat, to make sure the torch maintains a good cutting height. Other than that, I have no idea what else a THC would be used for, so just running along making straight cuts doesn't really show much of anything.

[@jdsgarage701]

The THC is only really used to deal with metal warping and uneven metal across large cuts.

[@deanedonaghy243]

I found that having a good Blowback Style Cutter made all the difference on my CNC. I started with a cheap Chinese Ebay Cut50 piece of junk and it was junk. I then bought a new Everlast 62i and it was like night and day once I sorted out the best cut speeds/amps I did have a THC but I rarely needed it because I rarely cut anything under 2mm. On my JD cutter I ditched the GRBL controller when I opted to buy the Proma MyPlasm CNC System which was a good all in one option for me at least.

[@superdidly1]

Absolutely correct. Buy the best plasma you can afford. It makes a big difference

[@glenrock672]

I sat here all morning and waited for the THC to go on sale. I made the mistake of walking away for a few minutes and when I came back they were SOLD OUT! UGH!!! Can you PLEASE offer the schematics for purchase for those of us that can build from schematics?? Pretty Please!!!

[@RokasSondaras]

I added thc to mine, but it's maily usefull for bigger pieces (talking 900x900mm size). much bigger, calibrating it was a long time for me. Since I'm using mach3 and thc sd controller, it's a bit easier. My torch is cnc torch so it's a bit more compact.

[@Genx4]

Excellent work. You guys are great. I don’t know if it matters or not but you should check into nesting your parts. The plates you cut out @12:00 minutes in could be flipped and reversed and you’d be able to fit twice as many on that plate. You’d probably have to draw it like that in fusion but it would save money on plates. Just a thought.

[@TouChA0]

you don't face problems using the Arduino board

[@duncanmarks1590]

Hi, very sound practical advice, thank you for the effort on this machine. Bye

[@Keasbeysknight]

with the torch height capabilities, any future in which this gets outfitted with a Router to cut wood too?

[@nathancole8188]

Yes i definitely need one. I increased the sizing of the table to be able to cut larger pieces and im noticing warpage of material and the bed itself is out in a couple of spots, just enough to throw the cut quality off. In this circumstance i can see a huge benefit.

[@4x4loz97]

What plasma cutter are you using in the video?

[@iFabStuff]

Can you show how/where the components mount in relation to the other electronics ?

[@andrewsandoval4137]

Good information - I had to watch a few times to make sure I caught it all, but a short on the middle section about getting parameters right with the PSI, Amps based on nozzle, and etc. would be bookmarked for certain. With the Lotus, do you follow their recommendation for speed? Is their chart generally, correct?

[@jdsgarage701]

The speeds they list are about twice as fast as we use.

[@jonathanh4847]

Looking great guys! You really ought to set up an email list when you release/restock stuff on your site though. If the release date is not set in stone (i.e. "back in stock in Mid June") then having a notification for restock would help a lot for people like me who can't remember to refresh the page all the time. I've been waiting a year only to miss it because my memory is crap 😅

[@freelectron2029]

we made this 3 years ago for free..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqmql4eqasqUrKc

[@witek80]

Hello! In 11:37 How and where in the program, or what is the name of the option that allows you to cut slots for bending metal? I wanted to cut the drawer out of metal but I couldn't arrange it.

[@jdsgarage701]

Sheet metal tools in fusion 360 will tell you where to put the bend lines.

[@LScout800]

In terms of dry air what do you guys recommend? I currently just run a Harbor Freight air dryer, but is there anything else I should run to ensure dry air?

[@jdsgarage701]

That's all we use as well as a water trap.

[@CreateStage]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@agguilarmetalwork4494]

🥳👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Great

[@rhinons7353]

So actually no shipping internationally? Not even Canada?

[@jdsgarage701]

They will be once the compliance paperwork is completed.

[@rhinons7353]

@@jdsgarage701 Excellent, let us know!

[@rhinons3602]

@@jdsgarage701Excellent, like others here I scaled up the table size and it will be a benefit for sure. Let us know when it’s available!

[@glenrock672]

Hey Guys - I purchased your plans and built the table a couple months ago. I’d like to add the THC and was wondering if the plans to build it are available or if the only option is to buy a completed assembly? If plans are available, how much would that be? I have experience in soldering and building from a pcb. Schematics would be great if thats an option as well. Thank You!

[@notanymore9471]

A THC is one of the best things you can add and it’s more complex to say who will benefit and why. The main reason is setting one up complicates use of the tool because it’s not as simple as not using one where you can gauge your height with a shim. Verifying the correct height is a feel/best estimate because obviously the arc has to be transferred to measure the voltage. However if you are cutting large parts and/or thin materials it is a requirement if you don’t want to fight it all the time. I personally always run max amps and the same psi. Travel speed is the only parameter that changes. Your voltage seems quite high. Although it varies per thickness I run way lower for most stuff mostly in the 30-40 volt range which is pretty close to hypertherms supplied settings. Not sure what you are doing to be up in the 70 volt range but it seems way too high. By the way I am a career metal worker and welding automation guy so I’m not just some yahoo.