Homemade Plasma Cutting Track

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All

A few years ago I built a motorised plasma cutting track made from an aluminium extruded section, sliding door rail, which I found in a skip.

With this as the starting point, I then started to collect over a period other items to complete the build. With most of the items stored away the build could finally get started. But with most projects I build, I thought if I am going to build it, what would I like it to incorporated.

So it had to be easy to store when not in use. Cut a full sheet across its width. Be able to be easily adjusted for alignment and cut height adjustment for different thickness of material and just for the hell of it be able to produce angle cuts for weld preps etc.

I originally posted on homemade tools the plasma cutter cutting 26mm steel plate using the track system. The link to that post is below:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wow-didnt-expect-103721

The video below shows the plasma track setup and cutting some recyclable aluminium sheet which was damaged and some steel plate.

There are some improvements that need to be made to the cutting track and stand, which hopefully one day I will get around too:

Firstly: The motor and gearbox needs a higher rpm output for thinner materials. (So on the lookout for a suitable replacement)

Secondly: Poor design by myself the cutter sledge needs to be shorten and the limit switches moved to increase travel, to allow for a full sheets width to be cut (miscalculated by 10mm)

Thirdly: Supports on the stand for the out feed to support the cut material (Rather than using a stool and a plant pot in the video)

Thank you for viewing and hope you find it of interest

The Home Engineer

[DIYer]

Thanks thehomeengineer! We've added your Plasma Cutting Track to our Metalworking category,
as well as to your builder page: thehomeengineer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Plasma Cutting Track by thehomeengineer

tags: plasma