High Risk CNC Plasma Cutting

[@billdlv]

Nice job Gary on both the cut and your checklist. Also knowing how to step through the g-code and restart is valuable too. You can restart before the problem and fire the torch manually and sometimes you can salvage the piece. At least you could do that with Mach 3, I don't know much about Mach 4 I don't have a machine to run anymore here.

[@shokher999]

I put a sharpie when I do a dry run to help with seeing the paths! It's easier to see if there is an issue with space.

[@REKT_Industries]

I have found With Mach4 if you hit emergency stop you have to re home the Machine, so better to click stop in the software if you can get to it in time before a flip up catchs.

[@MLFranklin]

Very interesting details you're sharing. I never even thought about lead-in or lead-out arcs, but you explain your thinking and planning really well.

[@keithlane4343]

Plasma cutting is very cool. I'm a CNC milling / turning machinist, set up, programmer, operator. If we had to machine a part like your sign, we'd be dealing with clamping issues and tool chatter. We've used double sided tape with pinned fixtures, but that is time consuming. Great video content. You had mentioned posting ideas. How about putting a Sharpie marker where the plasma tip is for your dry run. When I was going to school at Wentworth, they didn't want students potentially crashing an end mill into their CNC mill tables, so we used Sharpies in the tool holders . Different colors for different operations. Worked well for proving out programs and you get a drawing of your posted program. Again, I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing

[@CGT80]

I did the same with my 4x8 foot plasma table after I built it. I don't do that anymore, but would consider it if I did something other than small chunks of heavy plate or half sheets of cold roll steel sheet. Just running 9/16" steel plate had me worried as we didn't have extra material on hand. My brother has a cnc mill for hobby and some pro use and I am glad that if my machine crashes, it isn't as big of a deal as his would be.

[@bubbadove5479]

Thank you for the great video. Your knowledge and willing to share it is a blessing to many. The checklist will come in handy once I'm up and running.

[@REKT_Industries]

Another tip is to move all the lead in to one side , so if they do tip , the torch wont be running across a letter that may have tipped. Also mark where its zeroed at incase you do have to re home the machine for some reason half way through the cut.

[@zacharytuttle5618]

How much do you charge for a job like this? Also you can make preset rules in sheetcam to speed up programming i.e. 60% feed speed for inside profiles smaller than 2" Dia.. Also I think the A next to your amps doesn't stand for automatic air pressure.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

I've had material in 16 ga. that was over $2,900.00 a sheet, it was a high temp nickel alloy, I needed a better and more precision cut than my plasma table would do so after getting the prototype correct I jobbed it out to a company that had a water-jet table. Still nervous but they did an awesome job.

[@TheRainHarvester]

Great list. Every time I make a setup-procedure mistake, I add to my pre-flight check list!

[@secondtononefabricationllc3654]

I cut aluminum in water everyday. I have great air flow in my shop and have never had a hydrogen issue from ventilation. I will say if you cut all day and then throw a new sheet on the table to be ready to cut first thing the next day, you better clear the air under the sheet before you fire the torch or you will have a small explosion. Gary you hit on most everything I can think of as far as critical cutting goes. Make sure you have correct consumables for the amperage, make sure your amperage is correct for material, air on, make sure e-stops are not activated (I say that because people in my shop have a tendency to want to walk by and hit them being jerks lol), make sure your sheet is square, and good ground. Enjoy your videos!! Maybe we can team up one day on something. Be awesome to work with ya!!

[@jimcolt9760]

Nice Video! There is nothing wrong with cutting aluminum on a water table as long as the water table is open....meaning it does not have a raise / lower system that stores the water in closed containers. Aluminum particles that sink in the water do absorb oxygen from the water....leaving a small quantity of hydrogen. After cutting you will see bubble rising in the water to the surface...these are hydrogen and they dissipate in the air and are not a health hazard. If, however the lighter than air hydrogen bubbles get trapped somewhere (under a fresh sheet of material that may have an upward bow), then you could get a hydrogen buildup and an explosion. It is wise to not leave full sheets on the table overnight....and if you do pick up and end and let any gas bubbles out. Speaking scary cost....I currently have a 1/4" thick 4 x 8 sheet of 304 stainless on my table....it will be a 4 x 8 sign for a local school as a community service project. $995 for that sheet of stainless! Jim Colt Hypertherm

[@reideichner8597]

Wow, Jim! That stainless has gone up a lot! Good luck with your sign!

[@secondtononefabricationllc3654]

My thoughts exactly Jim!!

[@reideichner8597]

Good video, Gary. You hit on all the important steps to make sure things go right. I hope that sign didn't give you any headaches. I am sure it will be top quality when it is done.

[@MisterLepo]

Not sure why you have the table filled up with so much water. It's weird it even overflows on the part you're cutting. What is your reasoning behind this? We're also cutting on a CNC Plasma table with water and we fill it probably half as much as you.I know it's 4 years ago but got me really curious :)). Appreciate a reply!

[@davidr4332]

Before i read the comments i thought of the same using a Sharpie in the tool holder on the dry run . I enjoyed the video and tips if i ever buy one keep up the good work.

[@42Fab]

My table does not have end stops, so I always check that the X gantry is square to the Y axis by jogging the torch down the sheet then across the perpendicular edge. For smaller features I often stack the cuts with layers to make the machine jump around if I'm worried about heat melting out a part. Along the same lines, I orient my parts on the sheet so the most likely to fail are near an edge when possible, then cut those first. That way if there is a failure I can jog the entire process over and recut with minimal losses. Also, any time I'm doing something critical or really complicated, if possible, I'll pierce at my home location (if not using the dead on corner, like here where you've offset in a bit) so that I can re-home to that point if a tip up moves the sheet or something weird happens. Only other point is a few typo's and your/you're in your checklist, otherwise good info for anyone with a plasma table, most applies to any CNC.

[@turbocobra]

great info, and some great points! but i didnt see any spelling mistakes, then again that maybe why they are there, because i dont know how to spell lol

[@TheRainHarvester]

I also pierce a spot at 0,0.

[@titoine1998]

Hi, could you put a new link for the check-list ? thank you very much for your help.

[@raygraham7018]

Great vids Gary. Were you concerned about the water in the table cutting aluminum?

[@turbocobra]

no not at all. I have had it pop a few times from the hydrogen gas created.

[@01CumminsWelder]

"I use these gauge blocks" *holds up a piece of angle iron* I laughed because my i use some scrap pieces of c channel. Glad I'm not the only guy who doesn't use some fancy spacer lol

[@scottgilly1]

Nice job and video. You might want to consider a better metal supplier. My rate for 5 x 10 x 3/16" is under $300. I buy a lot of 8 x 20 sheets as well. $1,100 for 8 x 20 x 3/16".

[@pacemetalfab]

Try cutting 10mm copper. Mistakes get very costly, very quickly. Great video.

[@pupuslinger]

Very good video, being new to our table I have made many mistakes not checking the obvious. Very informative. I have only cut some aluminum once but I was sweating cuz it was alot of money for me...i have much to learn about order of operation and stuff...

[@jcporosity4764]

Hello I’m looking at buying a plasma 4x8 table from Lincoln I know laser to much money for my small business right now. I’m looking at cut a lot of 1/4 aluminum brackets what your experience with that plasma table

[@coleboonecustoms]

I wonder if it is a good idea to mount a sharpie for the dry run so as to "illustrate" a minor errors, instead of imagining it. It seems like an extra layer of insurance for critical work.

[@FatChanceTheCouchDog]

I also had the same thought. Seems like a good way to go on expensive materials, however, Remember that the sharpie will never line up exactly where the cuts will be unless you have a purpose built adaptor for putting that sharpie where the cutter goes instead of mounting it to the side or something similar.

[@andrewallen9993]

Is it a case of great minds think alike or fools never differ? My thoughts exactly!

[@GregsGarage]

Looks awesome Gary. Scary shiz when the material is that expensive.

[@Thewaldo12345]

That seems pretty high for a sheet of 3/16 and 1/4.

[@ChenteTV1959]

I bought a magnetic hook removed the hook and welded a bolt. Best ground I've ever had plus I can move it anywhere on the table.

[@niceride]

Magnets are really my favourite thing to use on aluminum sheet.

[@johnsellers2999]

Yea if that alum. Magnet weighs 200 lbs it might stick pretty good to alum.

[@bradleycopus9170]

Are these no longer made? Website link does not work and cannot find on Google.

[@larryrobinson7492]

Very helpful videos you do Gary, thanks so much. I will be struggling to learn this in the coming months and refer to your videos alot. I worry that I will have trouble but maybe since I'm becoming familiar by watching all this it will come a little easier.

[@ChrisB257]

With that material investment certainly a case of check, check and double check!! After that, when it comes to cutting - prepare for pucker factor and hopefully no need for any fresh underwear.!! Result looked super Gary.

[@jasoncummings8219]

What about cutting aluminum with the water table so full

[@eagleviewhd]

I operated a CNC Plasma cutter for five years. Cutting aluminum and thin stainless Is a bitch some time. I have had the material curl up due to the heat and then the torch hit it and move the sheet! I learned to clamp down the material. I also made a fixture to hold a sharpie pen and let the cutter draw the pattern on to the material. I also ran a water hose on to the material to cool it. I was using a Hypertherm cutter and a PlasmaCam table. One thing I wish was that the plasmaCam drawing program had an auto save program. I do not know how many times I would get involved in drawing some complicated project and then the program would freeze or crash and I would have to start drawing all over again.

[@blueelectricfusion]

A sharpie adaptor in place of plas cut head is another layer of protection one can add.. so you can can get a visual on cad file irl... also predrill peirce holes

[@robertstewart-taylor2343]

I have heard much about the dangers of plasma cutting aluminium in waterbed. How do you make it safe?

[@ACNNOMOREBLUFF]

It depends of the type of aluminium you are using. The purest it is, the more dangerous it is. But in fact, it's very rare if you have an explosion. It only happens in specifi conditions. Bad ventilation in your working place, and a closed honnecomb. So be sure you place the aluminium plate with air circulation on both sides. Thus, you will not risk hydrogen accumulation underneath.

[@bivermonter]

You can also add an aerator, much like those in fish tanks. The little air bubbles will keep large hydrogen bubbles from forming.

[@chrisguice3472]

What brand of plasma table does your friend have. Is it a plasmacam? Looking to purchase one for my welding business. Since you have experience could you give me some hints. Don't want to make an expensive bad purchase.

[@tirualemteshome9291]

it is very nice vidio,and i like the machine.how much is it .and where did i get?

[@oldschool6345]

Your making it look easy Gary. Thanks for sharing

[@jaredjensen3776]

The problem of "high risk" cutting you are talking about has been SOLVED! It is an ingenious device that turns the torch and movement off immediately if there is any problems. It is a simple microswitch on the magnetic breakaway torch. As soon as the torch touches something it shouldn't, it shuts everything down before the part can get screwed up. I have literally not messed up a single part since I installed it on my cnc plasma cutter. I too, used to cut complicated parts with sweat running down my face and a firm finger on the E-stop switch, now I start the cut and go inside my house and drink a soda! If it stops cutting and go clear the problem and turn it loose again all WITHOUT screwing up any steel. The device is called "Star Lab Collision sensor retrofit" and is made for Star Lab CNC cutters and can be found at Plasmaland.com This whole thing may sound like a sales, pitch but I am not getting anything for this, I'm just a happy customer. The design of it seems obvious and after using it I will never run a CNC Plasmacutter without it. It is that important. I can't believe all manufacturers of these types of machines don't have it. Sorry for the long rant!

[@turbocobra]

Well the microswitch you are talking i actually referred to in the video, the new style torch mount has collision detection built in. That is only one part of the equation, a micro switch wont solve a CAM issue, or sheet orientation issue.

[@TheRainHarvester]

Jared Jensen I setup a phone camera running Alfred, then monitor my cnc while eating inside sometimes.

[@curtism7203]

do you use shielding gas or just strait compressed air for aluminum?

[@davidcox692]

What price did that cost you if you don't mine please and where in the uk are they based ?

[@lewtgoblin8437]

i use a 3-point edge detection system, 2 points near the edge of X, and one on Y ....works awesome

[@Bheermann326]

Hey man not sure where you’re at but check out eastern metals supply for your aluminum sheets. I’d be into those two sheets for less 650 bucks with freight.

[@johnquijote7194]

Extremely helpful, thank you!

[@1970chevelle396]

I want to get the JD Squared table. But not anytime soon, have to save up and have dental work done first.

[@turbocobra]

cant beat JD2 products and their plasma table is badass, but its $6K more than a comporable trucut machine, and I have been happy with it

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

@@turbocobra trucut retired.

[@ayeyaeye]

You keep your old consumables near your keyboard, I do that too ..hahaha

[@SegoMan]

Thought that was a given just like keeping the packaging the new ones come in!

[@lucasjones3574]

Awesome video bro like your setup. I use a hypertherm hpr400xd and a 14’x’40 messer cutting table

[@BillyBob-si2db]

Dude where you do you buy your aluminum from... I can get that for $200 and that is only if I buy one piece.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

$200.00 for 1/4" aluminum plate, where can you get that deal?

[@TheJtempleton]

Where Is the best place to buy sheet metal

[@ayeyaeye]

A more specialized ground clamp that takes up less space, fits between slats and is custom made for use with a plasma table would be a cool thing to have as sometimes the clamp does not fit well as it could making a less than stellar connection. Just my experience.

[@turbocobra]

thats a great idea!

[@billdlv]

You could also buy a panel ground clamp. One of the legs is flat. Like a Lenco 200 02010

[@ayeyaeye]

That would still get in the way of the slats, but thanks for your suggestion. I checked it out.

[@billdlv]

Bill Titwell it's what they had where I used to work. Fit in between the slats there but I guess tables are different.

[@ayeyaeye]

yes

[@sherrynichols2570]

How do you clean up your dross on aluminum without scratching it too much?

[@melgross]

Funny that I hadn’t seen this video before, as I just watched your new one where you’re selling your latest unit, and them going out of business.

[@turbocobra]

ahh, yea this one is a couple years old, but its popular as youtube recommends it to people for whatever reason lol thanks for watching

[@gnlaser1904]

Mel , do you like Fiber Laser Cutting Machine ?

[@jacewalton6677]

good list of best practices

[@josbe09]

Hey @Ramsey every when do you change those blades the material sits on?

[@FilmFactry]

Good info! Any videos on setting up your cuts in software? I'm a few months out on getting my table. So just learning now.

[@turbocobra]

I have quite a few videos on that on my channel, feel free to browse through them. What kind of table are you buying?

[@scottgilly1]

A good tip is to attache a marker to the CNC and do a dry run letting it mark all cuts out. Then clean up with a rag and acetone.

[@turbocobra]

good idea, thanks

[@andrewerickson6690]

Really slick I like that conversely one could use their plasma table to plot large prints hmm

[@jaxnaturals]

How does the edge quality on aluminum compare to waterjet with a scale of waterjet edge at 10?

[@Smokeslingerowner]

Co2 laser will be the closest to edge quality when compared to waterjet .

[@jaxnaturals]

@@Smokeslingerowner I understand that but a c02 laser ain't the same cost as a plasma.

[@mrlithium69]

Smart idea about rebooting the PC and the controller before each high risk run.

[@moshegalimidi2302]

im from israel, and aluminum here is much much cheaper then in the usa, these two sheets would cost here about $400. i dont understand how it could be, most of the material they sell here is us made (alcoa)

[@FlavioOliveira]

Amigo, eu liguei minha corte plasma na minha cnc com arduino e a plasma gerou uma interferencia nos motores fazendo com que eles se movessem sem comandos e isso acabou fazendo o arduino nao funcionar mais. Voce sabe me dizer o que pode ser?

[@aaronarcher2356]

I feel your pain. But learning is expensive but nessisary. You need to learn where to cut corners and costs

[@soccerox817]

How do you go about cleaning up the parts? I'm thinking of building my own plasma cutter for very light home use and trying to sleadily work up some knowledge on the topic.

[@turbocobra]

lots of different tools. scraper, grinder, sander

[@eagleviewhd]

Flapper disk on angle grinder is the best way I found to clean the dross. When cutting thick stainless a hammer can be used on the really heavy dross to knock it off.

[@Laflx]

Link doesn’t work! Company doesn’t exists anymore?

[@seap9570]

What happened to trucutcnc are they out of business?

[@slimetime2227]

As of 12-1-2019 we have decided to close the shop and retire.

[@bpdp379]

Just found the real cause of CV-19 and everything that happened in 2020….😂

[@JerrysThisandThat]

Those cut out nice.

[@nvlvdave]

Make that out of high dollar aluminum only to paint it. Specs are specs lol. Maybe the weight was a concern.

[@turbocobra]

yep, these are mobile signs that get moved around so weight was the reason for aluminum

[@sohasteelsenginering1590]

Stanless Steel cutting withour burr ❤ amazing

[@AaRon-ve3pw]

True cut folded and closed doors will offer support...

[@turbocobra]

yes they did, the video you are commenting on is 3 years old

[@user-zj2mb3sp3x]

Ramsey, you should shop around a bit for a better aluminum supplier, I pay about $490 for a 3/8" thick 4x12 aluminum sheet from my regional metal supplier.

[@turbocobra]

this video was a couple years ago when the trump tariffs first went into effect and everything went through the roof, but yea its alot lower now

[@user-zj2mb3sp3x]

Ramsey Customs - turbocobra 🙏🏻

[@ZILAwelds]

When you plasma cut aluminum always do that dry! Unless you want to inhale all the hydrogen .... which in my experience is not too good for you. By the time you cut both sheets up in the same day ( with water) you might as well go to the hospital for a breathing treatment AND air your shop out for a week!

[@ayeyaeye]

Good point.

[@turbocobra]

i hear this and see this mentioned all the time, but i see guys, in fact one guy i referred to in the video cuts aluminum sheets in water all day every day, i rarely cut aluminum but will cut it dry next time

[@ZILAwelds]

Ramsey Customs - turbocobra you dont have to do anything .... and i dont know what other guys do .... let me pit it this way: when i did all those aluminum tanker handrails .... and yes it was more footage to cut than you cut .... I was just like you .... nahhh f it keep the water in - how bad can it be?!? Its only 3 sheets 4x8x1/4 ..... Well - let me tell you - i found out really quick first hand how bad it can really be !!!!! And now that you are cutting steel on the table the stuff gets disturbed in the water and comes back up .... I cleaned and scrubbed for days AFTER i came back from the doctor .....

[@turbocobra]

wow that doesn't sound good...

[@dm-zx7xb]

ZILA thank you for sharing because I never knew cutting aluminum over water released hydrogen. I don't have a table yet but plan to make one at some point.

[@investigadorpces]

Software ?

[@bcbloc02]

High risk high reward. :-)

[@turbocobra]

lol exactly

[@Rustyramoutfitters325]

awesome video

[@FlashTechEngineering]

You need a marking out stylist, pre mark out before you cut

[@turbocobra]

yes that would be handy, i know some tables come with that

[@bivermonter]

@@turbocobra Experienced operators, such as yourself, can see how the cut will turn out just by doing dry runs.

[@paulwyleciol3459]

VERY interesting! Thanks for Posting!!

[@shandusa]

Nice plasma cutter! What the cost of that machine? Thanks

[@JoePJack1]

Base price is listed @ $15k

[@mrgoodtime87]

Can someone give me a 5x10 or larger plasma between $15 & 20k that is worth the money. Ive been cnc routing with wood for years I want to start incorporating metal. I see so many mixed reviews online for plasma tables/cutters...looking for an experts input. THANKS!

[@lexugax]

Website is gone. They must have gone out of business.

[@mrgreenswelding2853]

How is welding aluminium after plasma cutting?

[@turbocobra]

i haven't welded an aluminum edge after plasma cutting but i welded some threaded bosses out in the middle of these sheets and it did fine

[@Mad.Man.Marine]

How do you figure that much aluminum is a grand?!

[@turbocobra]

1 4x10 sheet of 3/16 and 1 4x10 sheet of 1/4" if its not $1K, how much is it ? $1 dollar? lol

[@Mad.Man.Marine]

Ramsey Customs - turbocobra guess you should check your supplier bud. I pay 270 for a 5x10. 3/16” 6061

[@piellamp]

I make workpieces worth 10k a piece using a lathe all manual programming u get used too it... And yes a fuck up will eventually happen.. we are only just human and even with lots of checkups u can still make mistakes but they happen rarely and far inbetween

[@jasonvoorhees9585]

As lame as this sounds, is there a decent entry level machine out there? As a kid i worked at my uncle’s welding shop. I have been wanting to get into cnc’n for some time. Been 3D printing a year or so now. New sub, glad to see some real shit on youtube, thanks

[@turbocobra]

If you have been 3D printing for a while you shouldn't have any issues running any plasma table. There are sooo many options, brands, tables out there now. Everything from an $800 langmuir table, all the way up to a piranha industrial machine, and hundreds of tables in between. I have ran a few different tables, and have owned 3 trucut machines, i have been happy with them. Good luck!

[@michaeljacques7336]

If your material cost is more then 50% of your bid, you should probably reevaluate your pricing.

[@turbocobra]

oh are you referring to the 5X material cost pricing model? That doesn't always hold true. Especially thicker or more expensive materials that all your doing is a large profile cut. I cut hitch plates out of 1" plate. The 4x8 sheet is $800, and I only charge $275 to process it into 3 hitch plates

[@waitemc]

Its plugged in !

[@davidwhite9906]

First off a 5x10 table isn’t industrial and second of all the actual plasma cutter is far more important than the table! Try cutting that with POS plasma cutter and I don’t give a damn what table you have it’s not gonna work

[@traceypogue7510]

You need a different supplier , you are paying 3 times what the rest of the world is. Ok video

[@johnsellers2999]

If you buy the sheets with a protective film on them compared to just stacked sheets with scratches on them you can pay more,just my thoughts on why he pays more

[@MkayMrMakey]

Just send it!

[@a.c.engineering9136]

if the risk is that high, I would just out source the supply and cutting.

[@hahagagagaga4710]

I have 260 amp hypertherm

[@DieselRamcharger]

i hate people that cut trademarked shit.

[@jamiebarr7367]

Man those table aren’t cheap

[@hahagagagaga4710]

This is what i do for a living

[@jessewhite34081]

Unfortunately rc enterprise is now closed

[@turbocobra]

checkout spark robotic, great company

[@anthonyarnoneii3173]

True Cut CNC company has ... retired? lol Guess they couldn't find anyone to buy the company to keep it going.

[@Th3mast3r69]

$1000? Cmon man. Maybe the entire two pieces

[@LupusNokturnus]

Cheap plasma

[@zacharyburkett7829]

Lol 30$

[@ChemistryAmsterdam]

Booooo comercials 👎👎👎👎👎

[@myrongibson6314]

Homing

[@DL-ik2pl]

clickbait thumbnail.

[@turbocobra]

nah dog, no way.., the whole video was about cutting $1,000 worth of metal, its fairy represented, and included a document for anyone to download, and many people have gotten good use from the video. Now, if I had a hot girl on the thumbnail and didnt show anything about a hot girl, then yea, but in this case you are dead wrong sir!