Plasma cut t-rex dinosaur puzzle

admin

Ever since installing the cnc plasma table a couple of years ago I've wanted to cut out a giant dinosaur. Today I had some free time and decided to build one. Downloaded a dxf off cnczone and scaled it for the quarter inch plate already on the table. Cut it out, which didn't take long. Not a giant dinosaur... but it was fun anyway.I suspect I didn't have my ipm set fast enough as the parts had lots of slag. After cleaning up a few of the parts with a grinder, which was terribly slow, I switch to a cold chisel. After knocking off the slag, I cleaned up the edges with a flap disk. Don't know why I'd  never thought of using a cold chisel before... it was fast and accurate.After cleaning up all the pieces I started putting the puzzle together... and I was stumped.  I must have spent a half hour with many different arrangements. Finally counted the parts and discovered one part was missing. Found it in the slag trap. I brought it home tonight and the kids have been having fun putting it together. I'll likely weld it up once they tire of playing with it.  Attached Images
Reply:That is awesome!
Reply:Really neat. In my home town there was a science museum for kids they would have a bunch of interactive things. I bet donating it to something like that would be nice it sure would stand the test of time alot more then a wooden one. They could use it for multiple demonstrations too. Could use it to teach about dinosaurs, bones, steel, magnetism, metal working, and probably another 50 things.
Reply:Good Job, that's beyond Cool, but don't let the kids play with it on a glass top table.
Reply:How long did it take to input the information into the computer for that project?
Reply:Nice! just wondering why you used 1/4"? Pretty beefy (expensive?) for the task at hand.You now need a triceratops for the that guy to battle with.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:My guess is because 1/4" fit the scale for the height compared to the slits for interlocking it. If he went with 1/8" it would be half as tall.
Reply:Originally Posted by SkeluhtorMy guess is because 1/4" fit the scale for the height compared to the slits for interlocking it. If he went with 1/8" it would be half as tall.
Reply:wow. thats nice!!Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Outstanding!
Reply:I like Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Forhire--Try using your chipping hammer that you use for stick welding, it does a great job of knocking off the slag.  While I don't have a CNC Plasma (you have to stop posting these projects of yours, CNC envy) my manual produces slag and it comes off with a whack or two.  Damn nice job.  BTW I passed through Leadville, Colorado a few years ago, and a rock store was selling one about this same size it was selling for $500.
Reply:Forhire....great idea....beautiful work.  Wish I had a CNC table.  That must be a lot of fun.Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:That is cool.
Reply:Originally Posted by woodweld1That is cool.
Reply:How hard is it to program a job into a cnc machine? Keep in mind that I'm 53 and did not grow up with a computer in my face and just recently (and proudly) learned how to put a picture on to one of these forum things. I really don't use a computer for anything else but solitare and the forum thing with a few search type things on google. Computers and me really don't think the same way and it's not that I havent tried, I must just be dumb, I have played with google sketch up and would love to be able to use it, but I might as well hold out both hands ahd wish in one....
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThanks. Glad you liked the project.Thanks, Maybe something made from metal would inspire them to become a metal worker. Yeah, I was worried about the hard wood... they built it on the carpet. After my daughter finished she left it standing... imagine the surprise when our Jack Russell started checking it out and it fell into a hundred clanking pieces  I didn't program the layout... I simply converted the autocad file to a cut path and scaled it which took a couple minutes.We cut a lot of 1/4" plate. I had a half+ sheet on the table. I wanted it as large as possible without fixing the drawings. It would have been smaller with thinner material.Genius  That's exactly the reason. I wanted a 8' version... but that will take some planning.Dang, $500 bucks for 4 square feet of material. How many you want? Normally I'd use a chipping hammer but I didn't want to leave marks. About mid through cleaning up the parts I started wondering if a needle scaler would be faster.Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post. For as much as we use the plasma table... it still sits idle a lot. It's definitely handy. Little personal projects like this hone my skills.
Reply:Now I am DIGGIN that....so cool.  Talk about a puzzle where the kids won't bend the pieces  Is the table a 4x4 Torchmate?
Reply:Originally Posted by rustyironHow hard is it to program a job into a cnc machine?
Reply:That thing is awesome.  Interesting that you mention like an 8' one because I see something like that at a library, or children's museum.  Just cool as heck.  Other nice thing is the options are endless.  You could make your own Jurassic Park
Reply:I love it!!! It reminds me of a T. rex I did over 12 years ago for my son. Attached Images
Reply:Wow! That one looks like an Alien.  It must be the camera angle. Slight hijack, but how did you make that grumpy?~~~~~~~Back to the thread, an eight footer would need to be welded, a puzzle that size would be deadly. Cause of death: Tyrannosaur. City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Great Idea well doneCould you send me your dxf file or where you found this on the cnc-zoneThanks
Reply:Hey,tangle,ur right,I hijacked it.Off 2 the penalty box 4 me! How I did my rex, I tig welded it from the steel base up. One drip @ a time. Check my photo albums on my profile. There's a lot more.
Reply:thats awesome I want one...Adam MMorales RanchOriginally Posted by grumpycricketHey,tangle,ur right,I hijacked it.Off 2 the penalty box 4 me! How I did my rex, I tig welded it from the steel base up. One drip @ a time. Check my photo albums on my profile. There's a lot more.
Reply:grumpycricket, I really like your t-rex. I'm sure your son loved it. How many hours did it take? The photo makes it look awesome! Originally Posted by skipweidnerGreat Idea well doneCould you send me your dxf file or where you found this on the cnc-zoneThanks
Reply:That is super cool!  Good job man
Reply:Great looking project ! That is one toy that will last a life time !    ( and then some )    Tonka toys have nothing on your dino
Reply:For hire,thanx 4 the compliment.And thanx 4 not flamin me on account that i hijacked ur thread. My rex took about 50 hours.BTW,I hope u do a BIG T.rex,& document the build...maybe they`ll make it a sticky!
Reply:Originally Posted by engineer1984That is super cool!  Good job man
Reply:Now I'm building my own dinosaur clone army Actually... one of my guys wanted to make a few and try to sell them at the swap meet.  Attached Images
Reply:Tile nipping pliers work great for the dross removal as the base of them totally flat to the surface.   They arealso offset for easy corner access .  I wish I hd a cnc plasma table.  DroolingTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Those are awsome!  How much do you think you'd want for one? --Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:wow, def awesome...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Nice!  Now how about one out of Aluminum, weighs less and won't rust?  Cheaper to ship for when your selling these on-line in the next few months....Miller 250x & Lincoln V205-TSmith Oxy-Prop torch
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawTile nipping pliers work great for the dross removal as the base of them totally flat to the surface.   They are also offset for easy corner access .  I wish I had a cnc plasma table.  Drooling
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThe plasma cnc isn't too bad to learn as your dealing with silloettes (2d). Cutting out shapes like this that have been done by someone else is super simple. I use Alibre Design for most of my stuff. Realistically you'll need to learn the design software, the conversion software, and the cutting software. Here's the longish post:http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...odels_dxf.htmlIt's a 4x8 DynaTorch with a down draft table.
Reply:Awesome! What does that beast weigh? Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhAny regrets with the 4x8 size? I'm starting to gather the parts for a homemade cnc plasma table. was initially targeting a 4x4 size, but may opt for the larger
Reply:I decided to try the tile nipping pliers soutthpaw suggested for removing the slag. Stock the pliers didn't close all the way but they still worked good. Being that I don't do any tile work... I decided to modify mine by removing the spring and grinding down the stops. Now they work even better. Not sure how well the carbide will hold up... we'll see.I also had a couple people inquire about shipping... turns out I can fit three (or maybe four) puzzles in a flat rate box and ship domestically for $10.95. At over 15 lbs each... that's a good deal  Attached Images
Reply:You'd look funny going into the Post Office with 3 relativily small boxes on a hand truck.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Originally Posted by RaptorDunerYou'd look funny going into the Post Office with 3 relatively small boxes on a hand truck.
Reply:I'm speechless....................................WOW!  !!wbolden
Reply:Is the guy with the rock climbing wall selling your T-Rexs at the Packwood Flea Market?Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:i've seen the dinosaur program before.. it was on the cnc plasma my friend bought from a salvage auction last year.. we were working on the machine 2 weeks ago, the program was still on it..  would like to cut one out myself one day..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:" ASPCA investigating Welder whose Jack Russel Terrier  was crushed by excessively thick  metal puzzle" ...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Originally Posted by RaptorDunerIs the guy with the rock climbing wall selling your T-Rexs at the Packwood Flea Market?
Reply:It seems to me that with very little playing around on placement that a lot of metal scrap ( but to a welder is there really any such thing ? )  could be eliminated. There are no shared cut lines on those pieces....and one thing obvious offhand is that all those pieces shaped like SlingShots.... could have the arms interlocking for less waste....give the puzzle pieces to some kid with ice cream for a prize for packing them closest together... LOL[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XARu4bLXZnM&feature=related[/ame]Last edited by GBM; 09-05-2011 at 12:46 PM.Reason: exampleWeldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Really kewl. Nice build.We are on our way to being farmers! Our site is always under construction so check back often for updates.  http://www.philosophyfarmstyle.com/