You NEED to Know These Things When Buying a CNC Plasma Cutter
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 พ.ค. 2024
- This video is the first in our series of videos "A Comprehensive Overview to CNC Plasma Cutting" and we hope you find some useful information in here to to make an informed decision on your CNC plasma purchases!
You all voted and so here's the first video of (over a combined hour of) CNC plasma content! As we continue on with this series we will cover everything you want to know about CNC plasma table ownership such as, designing parts, how to quote jobs and make money, how to maintain your machine, and much more!
Thank you to ShopSabre for sponsoring this video! They did not tell us what we could or could not say, so all the opinions shared in this video are our own. We genuinely believe they make a great product and we have many positive things to say about them, as you've heard us say many times before.
Consider ShopSabre for your CNC needs:
www.shopsabre.com/
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
2:20 - The Basics of CNC Machines
5:20 - Thoughts on ShopSabre & DIY
8:01 - The Plasma Cutter
10:10 - What Is Our Computer
13:27 - Overview of Infrastructure
14:01 - The Air Compressor System
18:52 - Why Does Dry Air Matter?
22:23 - Q&A
Thanks for watching!
To inquire about a custom build we can help you bring to life, or to be a sponsor of the channel, shoot Tay an email at: Tay@liftarcstudios.com
Filmed and Hosted by: Tay Whiteside
Featuring: Wyatt Allen
Edited by: Walker Hooper
Music Licensed from Artlist.io
Be sure to follow Lift Arc Studios on Instagram and Facebook!
@liftarcstudios
Liftarcstudios.com
Any technique or methodology shown in this video is purely for entertainment and informational purposes only. Lift Arc Studios and their associated craftsmen are not liable for any injury or damage to your shop or surrounding areas you man incur while trying to emulate these builds. Remember, be safe, have fun, work smart! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Just bought this very machine for an old school multi-generational company. We do welding/repair/machining and in the field engineering. This video gives me hope in our risk.
I remember learning how to lay out parts on a large plate set up on horses and cutting it out at best with a track torch while freehanding anything round. It took hours. I am experamenting and can now cut parts in a fraction of the time.
Perspective: I am an electrical/mechanical engineer that designs and prototypes new products. I could TOTALLY build one of these. The only problem is that it would cost way more than just buying it. The time is takes to design, learn, build, rebuild, screw-up, test, etc, etc costs more than the finished product even if you got all the raw materials super cheap.
I love DIY, but it is a terrible way to save money. At least if you value your time at much more than a few dollars per hour.
Great video brother! You basically covered the more important questions a newbie could have. Keep up the great work!
I have the Shop Sabre SideKick 8 and I love my machine. And you're absolutely correct about Shoe Sabre quality and support!
How much did that run?
I bought it with the water table and added the engraver so it was aroung $20,000.
Wowers that's definitely a very useful and every information video. Hopefully you get great use out of it for many years to come Tay and team. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friends. Weld on. Fab on. Keep making. God bless.
Looking at a CNC myself, awesome video thank you for your time and effort in doing your vids. Basics that many vids over complicate, well done!
This is a GREAT video. As a former CNC plasma and CNC water jet operator (now retired) I think you covered all the fundamentals for someone to consider.
Awesome video! Thank you so much for taking the time to make it. Looking forward to looking through the other videos you have.
Love the video brother. I bought a Boss Table WHC10 (5x10) a year ago which cost me more or less the same thing as your Shop Saver, and it was the best decision I made! I started my steel supplying business back in 2015 out of my house. Slowly building it up one brick at a time! COVID forced me to reinvent my self. I love how owning this machine has transformed my business from a reseller into a service center. I highly recommend anyone looking to up their game to consider buying an American made CNC Plasma table.
I have a 4” x 3” table, also in my garage, also have a welding machine and trying to get into the business. Can you tell me more about your story and how you started out?
Ps also just an FYI dealing with water in the air system they have yes the refrigerated dryers are great still use the desiccant dryer after it as well ..one of the best things I found that helped was a cheap automatic drain valve for the bottom of the compressor tank..set it for a time like 3am or whatever and it opens for a programmed time and closes back up ..I had that set up for years
.. but as soon as you can afford and justify a rotary compressor do it!!! Night and day... never a water issue constant pressure even with multiple things /machines going full bore never a problem... just fyi for anyone lol
Good & insightful info on a cnc plasma table! I haven't looked into plasma cad/cam tables in several years, & Shop Sabre was new to me. Thanks
i owned a fairly large machine shop for 40 years and i sure wish i had one of these plasma cutters back then and 20 thousand dollars is actually a bargain for what these machines can do for you
This is awesome hahaha I love the straight to the point descriptions, subscribed
am new to your channel, and am instantly in love with. am not a machinist but an investor in this industry. am more equipped now for the next acquisition. be blessed
Thanks for this video dude, I have an interest in ductwork manufacturing so I'm looking at the different types of machines and learning as much as I can. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for the video. It was helpful for me on several different levels.
SUPER GREAT INFORMATION VERY WELL EXPLAINED !!
Great video always fun to watch! Thanks 🙂🙏
I ordered my Sidekick 8 largely because of your first video. Even had my wife watch it. My whole side-hustle “business” revolves around it.
Righteous! Hope your machine has been as satisfying to use as mine!
@@LiftArcStudios it’s getting there. Inkscape is my main hindrance.
@@bigrednick100 y/t has a lot of training vids
Ive been talking with shop sabre looking into getting the 4x8 but im not going to lie ive been entertaining the idea of the langmuir systems crossfire xr and the stv 4800 plasma table. Mainly because of the price. BUT i do want quality and minimal headaches. But it is a big exspense, So thats my delima, Are you happy with your side kick? Have you had any troubles with anything? Or is there anything you dont like? Do like?
@@joshwelch8288 I originally purchased a Langmuir XR and the leadtime just kept getting longer and longer. And then when I stop to really think about it, you still have to assemble that yourself. What I like with a Shop saber is that it comes to you wrapped ready to go. Everything is tested and tuned at the factory. I really couldn’t be more happy with it.
I will say this if you were planning on doing this as a hobby, there are definitely more inexpensive options. If you’re planning to start a business or add this to your business, this is the way I would go. Plus shop saber is 100% made in America and if you’re a veteran they give you free shipping which was huge. It saved me $2500. I would suggest getting the alignment laser and the pneumatic engraver along with torch head control. Downdraft or water table is your choice. I prefer the water table.
Great video, I am just checking on what to look for in a system and all of the variables. I want to start in on fire pits and signs. Thanks
I been painting and building custom cars for 45 years im going to get a plasma table like your video great job . Food for thought you need to move the compressor out of that box you have it in it is not good for it and it creates more water because it not getting cool air its pulling heat for the compressor right back in it . Mine sets outside under a open cover you may not be able to put it outside so it better just sitting in the open. Not trying to tell you what to do but it will help. And thanks for the advice a lot more to think about on the table.
Really helpful video. I’ve just purchased our first cnc plasma. How often do you need to replace the sheet rests (I don’t know what they are actually called) on the table?
I stumbled onto this video and it reminded me of when I got started, long before fancy CNC was available to regular dudes. Pay attention youngsters... the man is spot on. What he missed was the power distribution. Like air, don't skimp... like air tools or sand blast systems, buy a bigger compressor than you think you need. So for power, if your space doesn't have 3 phase, or enough single phase amperage to run a compressor and plasma cutter (basically a reverse welder) without interrupting lights or computers, you need to think about those limitations, because they play a big part. I started with an Epilog laser, followed with a plan to sand carve so I bought a huge compressor and blast cabinet, followed by a medium sized cnc router, which we retrofitted to also function as a plasma cutter. It's all fairly simple. People who fail are people who don't hustle. Owning your own business is harder than working g for someone, but I wouldn't change a thing.
Much love bruv!
FYI on your air piping. Imagine having a single straight airline 200’ long. As you can imagine, air usage at the beginning (near the compressor) reduces air volume and pressure for the rest of the system further down the line. As you continue to consume more air, the air volume and pressure are further reduced such that the air available at the end of the line may be` less than what you need.
The solution is to close the airline back where it started into a closed loop. The pressure will continue to be reduced as you consume air but the remaining pressure will be equal in the entire loop. To combat the loop pressure getting too low, start with 120-150 psi and use a regulator at each air connection point. If some stations are using 90 psi air at their regulator, the remaining loop pressure will drop somewhat but when starting with higher pressure you can still provide more pressure than needed at your other air drops. Also, I recommend putting a ball valve after each regulator (below it) so you can occasionally open it to purge line moisture from that air drop.
I run 150 PSI through my PEX lines and regulate downstream as needed. The great thing about PEX is if it ruptures, it tears, unlike PVC which would explode and throw shrapnel, not to mention if it pops, I could cut in a splice in about 3 minutes with $5 of parts.
Omg. Your video is absolutely wicked. I am from Trinidad and Tobago, yep in the Caribbean. I work in a fabrication shop, we have a 125 hyperterm, but we don't have a cnc for it. Man oh man I am going to ask my boss to plz plz plz buy 1 of these.
I am in the process of buying parts to build a table that's going to help me start my business.
Taking out loans is something that is not really doable as a startup over here so got to start somewhere.
I am however building the table with room for easy expansion in size, limited space right now but if and when it starts paying for itself and the funds are there for a bigger space it's easy to upgrade
Good luck to you!
Great video. Thank you for calling it dross and not slag. So many people call it slag.
Great video. You earned my subscription
GREAT CONTENT, THANK YOU
Thank you soo much for your video. 👍
Thanks for sharing.
Great video. I'm interested in setting up one in my garage. My understanding is that everything you run is on regular 110v except the plasma which is on 3 phase 220v. Is this correct?
What have you noticed since the purchase that you wish you did differently? I.e. cleanup, expectation of cut quality, learning curve of programming? I’ve programmed waterjets before and my fab job is getting a plasma cutter soon and it looks like I might be voluntold as a programmer again.
I need one of these!!!❤
I bought a jd2 4 years ago and they have poor quality customer support but their tables are a dream as my controller is like 8 times smaller than any other tables but I am my own customer support my controller broke down and the factory wasn't able to help me figure out the problem so I educated myself with what hardware they used and with a 32 year computer background I was able to tear the controller down rebuild it using faster newer hardware and re-configure it to work with a faster SBC or single board computer. So if you're not a computer guru tech supports helps out from what I am told. lol
People always say "why don't you just build it" I think those people don't understand the time and journey of a business owner. Ain't no one got time for Dat! We just need sh%$ to be completed and stamped on the ass. Love your video, looking into getting one of these
Tetszik, hogy a végén hagyományos, papírról olvasott fel! Cool!
Hey thanks for making these videos. I'm eagerly awaiting my machine from Shop Sabre.
Have you had any grounding issues and how did you setup you machine grounds?
I have not had any grounding issues, i drove a long grounding rod into the ground through the concrete slab next to the machine. There is also a grounding rod next to my power panel in the shop. Never did the lightbulb test they say to do in the shopsabre manual but all seems well
20:13 Its the arc voltage that is measured / used for THC. Plasma machines are CC (Constant Current) machines like a TIG / SMAW Welders and thus the voltage of the arc is dictated by the length of the arc. The machine is always going to put out the set current and the voltage will fluctuate as the arc length fluctuates. Moisture in the air as mentioned gives a false reading to the controller because it changed the arc voltage for a given arc length so the controller will think that the height is not what it really is and thus will change the height to try to hit and maintain the target voltage.
Its strange to me that you had a diving problem from moisture as it should always cause a lifting issue, not a diving issue. The reason why is because the more moisture in the air, the more electrically conductive the air is (i.e., its electrical resistance is less) and lower resistance means lower voltage for a given current (Amperage). This is Ohms Law of electricity and since lower voltage equates to shorter arc length, the controller should think that the torch is too low and thus lift it if there is a high moisture content.
Probably related to the wider range of voltages that the controller would see when cutting thicker metal. In other words the detected voltage would be affected not only by the distance to the surface but additionally the distance through the thickness of the metal.
I’ve been thinking about a Sabre plasma for a couple years, I just can’t pull the trigger yet. It looked like Router Bob was watching you or you had a script from Sabre for the first half of the video (paid advertisement).
Great video
Have you looked into the Torch mate and the comparison to Shop Sabre?
HELP!! I have a serious question bc I already have the same air compressor and thinking of getting the power Max 85 and the same plasma table. I am curious if you motor on your air compressor went bad because I saw the original on your shelf and a different one on your air compressor
Lol, thanks for the heads up! So what your saying is, when I have time to pretty up older videos I have I can say I have a buisness! Or maybe not for the sake of my health! Yes I love real metal work! Smiles help Prices are really off, except yup! Takes awhile! Its where a person feels comfortable! $26'000? Ouch
I do agree with some of the stuff you say like compared to machine torch & hand torch just having a plasma cutter is a big difference and between getting a table or a plasma cutter first I agree with that get the plasma cutter first so you can still bring in cash.
They still use the old serial ports or old printer port. lol, Cat 5 is all I need I can even run my table over a network without any remote software and i am on windows 10 using a Linux controller thanks to Wsl 2. lol
I have heard numerous time of problems with the motors on the Ingersoll Rand compressors. New compressors are guaranteed for 12 months. How long have you had your compressor and have you had any motor problems. I am looking at 5 HP 2 stage 60 gal tank. IR seem to be the best thing going for the money other than the motor problems I have heard about. I have also thought about Quincy compressors, but they are twice the price. I am a armature mechanic I want to be able to run about anything needed. sand blasting cabinet, air tools, spray gun or anything that might come up. Thanks in advance for the help Tay. Love your videos.
Quincy is twice the price but worth it. Just like Polar Air. Super quiet and works amazing.
Yeah, our motor went out last year, worked well for almost a decade though before it did. got a replacement on ebay, i think the brand was WEG? ran about $400-600, much cheaper than the IR replacement, seems to be working well!
@@bigrednick100 I've had the 20 HP / 120 Gal Polar compressor for 15 Years, still going strong / blast cabs / pots/ 3 plasma machines / 1" impact guns...
Great Video!
How is the Sterling Cool working out?
I just received the Side kick 8 and just filled with the supplied green stuff. So many horror stories out there I’m thinking on draining it before I make my first cut and swap to the Sterling cool !
Yeah, sterling cool is just hassle free. It will stay in my table for months on end, no smell, no rust, no algae, its great!
I been running a plasma-cam machine for 12 years. I am a high school metals teacher. I really like the design edge software! Is it possible to by like a stv machine and use the design edge software?
Nice explanations on the machine. You even found a good application for the least favourite part, the magnetic torch holder, for picking up the hot cut parts from the table.
Question: In the milk shutter(different video), the machine removed the square and rounded hole first before cutting it out of the sheet. I assume that you entered this cutting order in the programme and that the machine is not that intellectual.
Hey man, really like your vids. If you're still having PC issues, be sure you're checking CPU temps. Those stock fans (and stock temp paste) are almost always garbage. With it being in a shop, I imagine it's just running a little hot. It's a $25 fix with a new fan and paste :)
Thumbs up to the video!
The difference in them building a table for 3k compared to yours or mine is ours which I have a jd2 it's ran using Teknetic or however, you spell them servos and we have a production table they use stepper motors which is ok but they're slower and sometimes loses steps but that's considered a hobby table which still can do production but slower. ;)
Hi, Can I come for training on this system and how much will it cost me please?
You didn't install a spindle to those perfect circles? Or tap them.
Hey cool channel, just found it and subscribe. Plasma cutting question: When you do multiple pieces cutting out of same sheet, is it worth trying to have 1 cut being the side of each adjacent part. I see no one doing that, so your cut length (and consumable use) seems to be much more... Thoughts? I just am getting a cnc plasma cutter for some jobs. thanks so much!!
It makes sense in theory, I just haven't found an easy way to program that. Just got hypertherm pro nest software though so I'll be investigating! - Tay
Hey Man, great video. Im super new to this sort of equipment and I’m looking to set up a production line. Is there any chance we could chat.
I also do home plumbing and using the pex I have seen before but you mention it's easier I disagree may be cheaper but a long ass air line or hose with some STC push on fittings is all that is needed maybe a pair of cutters to cut any excess hose off from being way to long is all the tools you need you don't need no rings no crimpers, etc. I would have run it in half the time but I also used to work in a hose & fittings factory to know what is best to use but I have seen a few shops do the same and nice job. lol
The redundant water separator on the back of the plasma machine isn't so redundant when it has moisture in it. lol
Hypertherm makes 30amp, 45amp, 65amp, 85amp, etc
lol I can cut up to an inch edge start with my 45amp and it's rated at 5/8ths of an inch but you also get an extra option with the 45amp Hypertherm which is called gouging but I call it puddle burn you turn your cutter down as low as it can go throw a 45amp fine cut on and you can gouge the metal or puddle designs or gouge designs with just the cutter which I've used a few times and it has its place. Hypertherm recommended using it to burn in larger part numbers in pieces if you do part numbers.
So as I’m watching this I think that I’ve heard your voice before, were you on the show Blackdog salvage with your dad?
About PEX. Not nit-picking nor being a correction copter, I think PEX was designed for in-wall installation so that no light hits it. You have lots of fluorescent lighting in your shop and it will degrade the plastic. How ever it is so cheap and if it ever exploded you can replace that piece.
I just subscribed to your channel BECAUSE of this video - 1st time seeing it. This video seemed honest enough for me and full of info, i as a beginner would need - air supply, dryer system, power needs, plasma needs, etc. I want to start a shop too and this helps. Hope the rest of your videos are also this helpful. Thank you !!!
Where can i order this?
When you said can't it play Crysis I knew I had to subscribe.
Gotcha ;)
don't know it anyone mentioned it but in the Navy we used to put the pink desicant crystals in a microwave and turn them from pink to blue to be reused again
What are you using for your rust prevention in your water table.
Sterling cool from cuttingfluidsdirect.com
I totally did
Man I’m in a dilemma. I’ve seen so many units from $6000 to $60,000. What to get? Ugh. Langmuir Systems was one I looked at too. There are so many and I don’t know what to get.
What PLC is on it?
If you compare a cnc plasma or laser to the old ways of manufacturing like an Ironworker, unit tool, and punch press it will get a more variety of parts done in a fraction of the time.
😊
Have you had any problems with the pecks?
So we ended up switching from the Pex piping to maxline and made a whole video about it! th-cam.com/video/kuhRmSM1CYo/w-d-xo.html
I'm tickled , to know it all .... after watching this.
What is that computer card called that controls the CNC?
That card is made by and provided by the manufacturer of the cnc equipment… and every manufacturer has different cards obviously….and it usually comes with the Cnc equipment..
Ok I have a question... I have a smallish fabrication shop. Everything I've worked with has been manually controlled...mill lathe ect.. but I'm at the point where I could really use a cnc plasma table because I'm sending thousands of dollars out to another shop just because they have one ..so I have to get them to cut the parts I need .... so yes it's a no brainier right??? Well my concern is I dont know the first damn thing about cnc... and like you I'm pretty much a 1 man shop and with a good size back log of work I have very little free time.... what kinda of time frame would a normal ol welder like me have before I can be up and rolling??
I dont mind spending the 20k I'm looking to spend on the set up that I've decided on..but i dont want it to be a 20k waste of money cause I cant do a thing with it...
Any input on this would be greatly appreciated more than you know... I really hope you see this and get back to me...I just found your channel and so far I've really enjoyed the content...
Thx again
Hey thanks for the comment! Well im a bit jaded because was an engineering school dropout. I stayed in long enough to get familiar with cad type software. HOWEVER, easily the biggest learning curve is how to set up the cut settings on the computer attached to the plasma table and how to program the toolpaths on the part itself. Its taken me a while to get settings adjusted from the book recommended settings for best results on various thicknesses of steel, aluminum and stainless. The good news is this is literally the topic we were planning to cover in our next video, or one of the next few videos. How to go from a napkin sketch of a part, to a finished product. Taking it all the way through the design stages. Hope that helped, thanks for watching, be sure to tune in to the next one! Cheers, Tay
@@LiftArcStudios well I didnt even get that far lol i did some mechanical drafting in school but now I'm showing my age lol
I would be very extremely interested to watch that video... i could always hire someone who knows what they are doing regarding CNC and CAD but like i said I'm just a 1 man super small kinda place... and i kinda like it that way lol .. anyway thankyou for getting back to me and I'll be looking for that video!!!
Laser then?
I wonder if our bosses realized how lucky they got when they hired welders that are computer nerds as well. Sometimes my boss does a double take when I tell him about something I have for my home lab. Like when he just told me we have 10tb of storage in our shared cloud storage for projects..... and I told him that's what I have on my home NAS.... lol. That and no other guy in my shop will touch our cnc pipe and tube cutter. The computer (a fairly nice potato) intimidates them.
Lost me at $26k. Jesus Christ. I’ll get there one day 😂
All those reasons you listed at 4:50 are the reasons why I think most of the used machines I see end up for sale. I see a LOT of 4x8 machines with low usage on our local craigs list (Kijiji here). Well that and not realizing that you will need to put some time into computer skills if you do not already have them. It's easy to get mesmerized by the machine whizzing around cutting out the metal :) $26k for that table seems fair. I think the youtube channel Maker Table runs one as well, or did before going laser when their production increased.
Yeah that's one of the main things we thought was important to hammer home because there seems to be the prevailing idea that since it's a CNC machine that it will do all of the work for you. I think every fabricator gets sucked in by flashy looking tools at least once in their life 😅
Windows? I'm gone!
The 4th type of matter doesent matter. 1 matter. 2 anti matter. 3 dark matter. And FOUR DOESENT MATTER.. JK.. loved your re model. Stay say safe....
Wait 26000 usd omg, we can get better quality servo machine at half price
What this kat forgot to mention is yes there is money in it if you're in a fairly good populated area with over 40k of population. I know from experience. lol
Is that what you guys were taught to say is uploading a part, uploading only occurs when you have a file or photo which is still a file that you want someone to have so you intercept a server-side and the two-way handshake between your computer and the server-side occur and if it's good then you have access to the site or server from there you would click or drag and drop a file onto the server side as it's sending to the server that is uploading. When you're using your CNC table wanting to cut something you load a part aka a file which could get someone mixed up so there is a big difference. Wrong terminology in an instructional video kinda gets me. lol
I'm glad I do not need any special computer or interface cards besides a NIC or network card to get my CNC & software to run. Good Job jd2
This line of business is very populated. Each one of them making videos and reproducing more CNC operators…
That pipe is not rated for air. I don’t care how your pressure is set.
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Title doesn’t match video
Build in America? Where specifically in America? Canada? Mexico? Perú? Brazil? Argentina? Ecuador? Colombia? El Salvador? You should be more specific, because America is a CONTINTENT. not a single small, tiny country in all the AMERICAN continent. 🤦
Womp womp
Mano, deja de pelear en la web por el nombre de un italiano. Todo el mundo sabe a que se refiere, dejalos, si juegas ese juego ya perdiste
Video sponsored by shop sabre...
i used to use a shop shit. pure garbage. never buy one.
Made in Germany more better😜
bla bla bla
I'm sorry to say you mention you build custom computers, etc but you don't have time for it and you're a very busy man but you have time to make youtube videos to help fork out the cash you bring in because as it seems you're not as busy as you say you are and that's ok but I run my own business and have been for 4 years might be in a less populated area then you but I make time to fix my own stuff and stay well knowledged in it and my quality is far more cleaner. I just don't cut a sign clean it up with a flap disc and paint it there is far far more steps then just that. I clear the mill scale off with soaking then prime the sign then powder coat or even spray paint but you telling everyone you're a busy man with a CNC business and don't have time but you make videos and the steps you do to make signs. I'm not being ugly but just commenting on what I am hearing. lol
I do everything in my business from talking to customers, taking orders, designing, table operation, painting, welding, and fabricating down to tech support and it even goes into like 12 other fields that I cover when I say custom I truly mean custom. lol