I’m confused….
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I agree. I don’t think that was suppose to be directed at you.
New guy cutting his teeth. Trying to help out, needs to look at the last date of posting so we don’t keep bringing up necro threads
We weren’t even talking high frequency on this thread. But then I saw he responded to another thread where HF was being discussed. Must have just gotten the two mixed up.
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Not necessarily. My 120v Craftsman is rated to keep up, and even though it might kick on during operation, it will out pace the usage of air from the table (and I pretty much always run the table at 75 PSI)
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You don’t want to run out of air, trust me. If the machine stops, rarely does it make a good scenario. You’ll need to invest in the right tools to be able to run this CNC and not have to worry about air capacity, power etc… Here are a few things to consider that I didn’t think of entirely.
- Good compressor, the larger ones in the $700-$1000 range is required
- Air filters, regulators, extra hoses for running a dedicated route to your table, fittings. The filters aren’t cheap. You are looking at another $300 + in air parts. Example you’ll want a dedicated air line the table, which has its own regulator. Then you’ll have a splitter off the compressor with another regulator for air and shop tools. This way you don’t have to constantly switch air hoses and adjust pressures when you need a nail gun or something.
- Power - Its mandatory to have a 220v outlet. If you currently do not have the ability to add a 50 Amp breaker for the plasma cutter, you’ll need to upgrade your house service to meet that. If you don’t already have a 200 amp service, I would say that would be the minimum. Then you need the space in your panel for the breaker… Another item to consider is running the larger compressor requires 20Amp circuit. So if your garage only has one 15 amp, or even one 20 amp, you cannot run much more off the same circuit when the compressor is running. I think my compressor runs at 15 amps. If I use a 1HP grinder at the same time the breaker may trip.
- Grinder - I bought a 1HP bench grinder with the multi-tool sander adaptor. Oh can it hog metal quickly. I would totally suggest a powerful grinder and this sander attachment. Depending on the finish you need, plan on grinding slag, edges with multiple grits to get the smooth finish for power coating. Unless you plan to use a blaster.
- Plasma cutter consumables - For fine cutting detail you’ll be replacing the tips often. I am referring to the .6 size. They don’t last too long before the cut is larger and the detail starts lacking. Consumables are expensive too. Plan on ordering $100 extra consumables with your plasma cutter.
- Plasma Cutter - For quarter inch steel, you’ll need a good size machine. I would at least the 60-70Amp models. I have the Everlast 50i and cut several small parts from 1/4" in one large cut pattern, about half way through the machine started to overheat and stopped.
- Time Investment - Be prepared to take a lot of time to learn the software, plasma cutting, lots of reading on this forum, and the great help you get (Thank you all!) . Since you are using software and hardware if your software design wasn’t perfect , back to the drawing board. It could take 2-3 attempts to get something to spec based on your design, All this takes a significant amount of time. For me, cutting a few items from computer to cut can take a half a day. You do really need to have the time to do this as its a bit to set up and cut. Also depending on your shop layout, space available etc…
- Shop Space - Make sure you have a good space for the table. You’ll also need lots of space to walk around it. Space for storing sheets of steel as well. Space for left over cuts. Time to take the spent steel cuts to be recycled.
- Decent computer - You do need a decent computer. A desktop with a good video card you’ll find it works better than a laptop. If you have a good laptop that will work as well. Also, depending on your work flow I wouldn’t order the laptop stand for the table. I think its completely useless. It could take hours to design a part, you may want to do that in your home office, then have another computer outside in your shed/garage and transfer the file to a network storage. Then load it on the computer in your garage. Unless you plan sitting in your garage designing parts and modifying your cut patterns, plan on using a full size keyboard, mouse and a decent chair and work area. You may not want your nice computer in your garage. Also a wireless keyboard and mouse is ideal. This way you can move the keyboard close to the table and “home” the cutter head to make sure you aren’t wasting steel. Plan on 2 computers.
- Cleaning and Maintenance of the table - Its important to keep the table clean, change the water, drain the water. I really do not like the water pan the Cross Fire table comes with. The bottom is not sloped and it takes too much time to scrape out the slag, push the water into the drain hole, use a ton of paper towels to clean the pan. If you aren’t constantly using the table you don’t want to leave water sitting in more than a few days. Eventually the water will evaporate but you don’t want that in your shop area.
- Ventilation - You need good ventilation, a fan or vent system to expel the cut gasses from the steel. This is very nasty smoke. Its also like a soot so it covers everything.
This is my list of things that never really crossed my mine too much until I started getting set up, establishing a good workflow and process. Welcome to plasma cutting!
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