Water table for plasma cutter

admin

started our water table build this week. Table top frame is made out of 3x4 3/16th tubing. we should have around 3-3.5 inches of water depth. Using 2" wide .25 inch flat bars as cross slats spaced 1.5" from each other. I have started a gallery on my website that will encompass the entire build. their are more photos in it if you are interested. Gallery is herehere are a few photos of the progress so far. squaring up the top burning it togetherMilling out the slat spacers. slat spacers all done, I did them in 2 sections each side so they would fit on the mill better. The slats will rest on 1x1 square tube. Clamping/positioning slat holders to main tableburning them on. test fitting slatsclose up of slat holders
Reply:We got a bit more done tonight, hope to have the legs on by tomorrow evening. Then deal with the water pan bottom. It will be riveted and siliconed to the bottom of the 3x4 tubing. More photos to come.
Reply:very nice design......do you have a small cnc plasma? or is this just for hand cutting with your plasma torch?also, are the slats just loosely resting in there so that they are easily replaced when they get burned up too much?
Reply:Nice build.  I have been using a large commercial drip tray from an A/C unit and an old stuck stuck roller conveyor section as my cutting table.  Haven't had the time to upgrade with all the other projects, jobs and honey do's.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurningMetalvery nice design......do you have a small cnc plasma? or is this just for hand cutting with your plasma torch?also, are the slats just loosely resting in there so that they are easily replaced when they get burned up too much?
Reply:Nice table. But the clean, white towel on your head made me just howl!!! 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:got a link to your website?
Reply:Keep in mind the air pressure out of the plasma gun may really upset the water if its too close. 9-12" away minimum is what I'd recommend to the top of the waterline. How I know this is beacuse I first tried sand to reduce the hassle in the freezing winter and you can guess what happened. Sand storm. Just food for thought as your tabel looks really nice. Sheet steel will act as a backstop for the water but open cuts will be letting the h20 spray all over.Last edited by Qwert66; 04-02-2010 at 02:15 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderNice table. But the clean, white towel on your head made me just howl!!!
Reply:Looks good.  Subscribed.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Originally Posted by Qwert66Keep in mind the air pressure out of the plasma gun may really upset the water if its too close. 9-12" away minimum is what I'd recommend to the top of the waterline. How I know this is beacuse I first tried sand to reduce the hassle in the freezing winter and you can guess what happened. Sand storm. Just food for thought as your tabel looks really nice. Sheet steel will act as a backstop for the water but open cuts will be letting the h20 spray all over.
Reply:got a bit more done tonight. got the legs built. legs are 3x2 .120 wall tube. Tomorrows plan is to burn them on to the top. Here are the quickie adjustable feet i made, just a 3/4 inch bolt taped into a 3/8 plate that was welded to the bottom of each legview of the legs mocked up on the bottom of the table. Each side was tig welded together. next is to square up the side to each other and the table. close up of one of the tig beads, my buddy's, not mine, mine were not photo worthy!  weld mold rod was used.
Reply:The water tables I'm familiar with have the Bed (slats) raise and lower in a water tank to accommodate different material thicknesses. The material (plate) is almost completely submerged reducing heat build up and keeps warping to a minimum. I'd guess by having such a low volume tank, adding / removing water would achieve a proper water level easily.If your builds purpose is to have a slag quenching catch pan for the cutting table, please disregard the above.Nice project!
Reply:Originally Posted by zlickThe water tables I'm familiar with have the Bed (slats) raise and lower in a water tank to accommodate different material thicknesses. The material (plate) is almost completely submerged reducing heat build up and keeps warping to a minimum. I'd guess by having such a low volume tank, adding / removing water would achieve a proper water level easily.If your builds purpose is to have a slag quenching catch pan for the cutting table, please disregard the above.Nice project!
Reply:I can't wait to see the end result.What cutter will you be using and what torch?Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Got alot done today. The frame work for the table is all welded up! Todays photos are brought to you from my 11 year old nephew! i gave him my slr camera and he went to town with it. Pretty cool photos for shooting through a welding hood! Rats nest of straps, trying to square everything up then tack it together. A photo of me actually doing some welding. Tigging with a miller dynasty 200 dx. another of me welding, this time with the older millermatic 200 mig. up on the table all done, next is the water pan bottom. today's super handy shop helper. Last edited by Jeromy; 04-04-2010 at 01:52 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldI can't wait to see the end result.What cutter will you be using and what torch?
Reply:the table stands on its own! got the water pan siliconed and riveted on. letting the silicone setup overnight and will test for leaks tomorrow. the little helper clecoing the bottom in place. view of the table with the machine sitting on top of it.
Reply:Nice looking project, so are you going to add indexing pins and slide the plasma down the table for bigger cuts???
Reply:Originally Posted by pandinusNice looking project, so are you going to add indexing pins and slide the plasma down the table for bigger cuts???
Reply:I'm impressed with the table -- and also with the quality of the photography.  Is that just a regular digital camera you're using?Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI'm impressed with the table -- and also with the quality of the photography.  Is that just a regular digital camera you're using?
Reply:Aha.  A real photographer.  That explains it.  Nice work!  I've always wanted to drive MMP.  One of these years, I'm going to make it out there.  (Where would we be without Alan Wilson's tracks?)Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Will you be cutting any aluminum with this setup? If so you will want an aerator of some sort to keep to keep Hydrogen gas from forming between the water and the sheet of aluminum, I had a customer several years ago that cut a lot of aluminum tread plate, the operator didn't notice that the pump that fed the aerator had quit, he walked away about 15 seconds before the whole thing exploded, controller, plasma unit, table etc; The last few plasma tables I have sold have all been installed on dampered downdraft tables, the main reason for this is some of the local municipalities have set regulations in place as to how a shop has to dispose of this water.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenAha.  A real photographer.  That explains it.  Nice work!  I've always wanted to drive MMP.  One of these years, I'm going to make it out there.  (Where would we be without Alan Wilson's tracks?)Originally Posted by ss42768Will you be cutting any aluminum with this setup? If so you will want an aerator of some sort to keep to keep Hydrogen gas from forming between the water and the sheet of aluminum, I had a customer several years ago that cut a lot of aluminum tread plate, the operator didn't notice that the pump that fed the aerator had quit, he walked away about 15 seconds before the whole thing exploded, controller, plasma unit, table etc; The last few plasma tables I have sold have all been installed on dampered downdraft tables, the main reason for this is some of the local municipalities have set regulations in place as to how a shop has to dispose of this water.
Reply:DONE!!!! well at least we got it running, still a few final things to hammer out. painting the table in my makeshift paint booth, This is the last project I rattle can! I am going to get a real setup! my fingers are still sore lol. I used rustoleum professional in the tall boy cans. 2 of primer and 3 of black. unit ready for action video of the very first cut! test, its a target for the IHMSA pistol shooting. not to scale but just a fast test in some extra metal. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVf9ihgtg4[/ame]
Reply:Cutting aluminum over a small table like this one will not be an issue. Aluminum cutting produces a by product of aluminum oxide, which sinks in the water and absorbs oxygen. When oxygen is removed from water (H20) it leaves hydrogen, which you will see rising to the surface (after cutting aluminum) as small bubbles. Since the quantity is very small, and hydrogen is lighter than air, the small amount of hydrogen will dissipate in the ambient air.Many water tables have a submerged chamber that is used (with compressed air) to rapidly raise and lower the water level in the table for small parts removal, cleaning, etc. If aluminum oxide is allowed to get into a closed chamber, hydrogen could be trapped and over time could form a large pocket, and with the event of a spark and some oxygen there could be an explosion. You don't have that type of chamber on this water table.Most of the stories about aluminum and water tables causing explosions have no basis, although there have been a couple of  issues over the 32 years I have been working for Hypertherm that involved minor explosions on large industrial machines. The ones that I am aware of were solved with aerators (no pump needed) that simply involved a couple of pipes with holes drilled in them in them...submerged in the water table. Low pressure compressed air was fed into the pipes to aerate the water, diluting the hydrogen.Cut all the aluminum you want on small water tables!Jim Colt  Hypertherm Originally Posted by ss42768Will you be cutting any aluminum with this setup? If so you will want an aerator of some sort to keep to keep Hydrogen gas from forming between the water and the sheet of aluminum, I had a customer several years ago that cut a lot of aluminum tread plate, the operator didn't notice that the pump that fed the aerator had quit, he walked away about 15 seconds before the whole thing exploded, controller, plasma unit, table etc; The last few plasma tables I have sold have all been installed on dampered downdraft tables, the main reason for this is some of the local municipalities have set regulations in place as to how a shop has to dispose of this water.
Reply:thanks Jim!
Reply:sorry its been a bit since my last update! We have been busy prepping the race car for the first race of the season last weekend, so have not had much time to play with the machine. But I finally got some photos of the table in its final resting spot all set up. Still need to build a shelf for the control box and maybe a cart or something for the plasma cutter. But for now its good to go! First real project, some much needed house numbers, ups guy keeps getting lost! lol[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb8gG4o68Xw[/ame]Need to clean up that rats nest of cable! I also built a new torch holder. Its a bit beefier then the last one.
Reply:Wow, that's an excellent build!  You do very nice work!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:thanks! we try and do everything to the best of our ability's.
Reply:very cool project ! I love the table !JerodHypertherm 30Miller Syncrowave 200Millermatic 140and a propane torch and hanger if all else fails
Reply:I must say that is an excellent table.  I might just have to make one like it.  I have been watching pirate 4x4 for months now and I just ordered my torchmate 2x2 about 2 weeks ago, so I hope to be getting it in a few more weeks.  But I might build my table alot like yours.  AndrewHobart Handler 135 MIGLincoln Idealarc 255 MIGLincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln "BUZZ BOX" Stick welderMiller 252 MIgHobart 350 DC stick welderMiller Bobcat 11,000-GEN/Stick WelderThermal Dynamics 55AMP Plasma Cutter
Reply:I dont think I have any pics of mine- but I made mine a lot deeper, and I am glad I did.Its about a foot deep, overall.I find that the water evaporates pretty quick, so the shallower it is, the more often you have to fill it up.I find that it works the best when almost full- the closer the water is, the sooner the sparks hit the water and go out, and somehow, that makes for less smoke, and less dust and brown gunk all over the walls.I brazed a hose bib into the bottom of mine, so when I want to drain it, I can hook a hose up underneath, and run the hose outside, and open the faucet. Gotta have a screen over the outlet, though- plasma makes very fine, very dirty black dust, which, with little cutouts, will clog a hose very quick.You will need to clean it out pretty often. My much deeper one still gets pretty full of cutouts, and I need to clean it every six months or so if I am using it heavily. Very crummy job- the plasma mud is filthy, and hard to wash off. I drain the tank, then shovel out the wet muddy steel bits right into a 50 gallon drum I use for scrap recycling. Nasty stuff.I also find that cutting the slots for the slats at a very slight angle, maybe 50 degrees, works well, as you can slide the steel onto the table easier, and it doesnt catch as much.Works well to make the slats a bit taller than the edges of the table, rather than below like you did- so you can slide, or forklift, bigger sheets right on.I will sometimes cut a 4x10 sheet on my  water table, and if it had to drop down inside, obviously that wouldnt work. I have done 4x10's, where I cut one end, flip it around, and cut the other. Even done 5' wide stuff, the same way. Or just cut the end off a bigger piece of plate.With big, heavy stuff, I load my table directly with the forklift- put the sheet just above the edge of the table, and slide it off onto it, so it is important the water table is VERY herky.I see you have put levelling feet on- I would say thats another must.
Reply:Originally Posted by scapegoatI must say that is an excellent table.  I might just have to make one like it.  I have been watching pirate 4x4 for months now and I just ordered my torchmate 2x2 about 2 weeks ago, so I hope to be getting it in a few more weeks.  But I might build my table alot like yours.  Andrew
Reply:some great stuff here, thanks! I'll make some comments, lll mark them in red.  Originally Posted by RiesI dont think I have any pics of mine- but I made mine a lot deeper, and I am glad I did.Its about a foot deep, overall.I find that the water evaporates pretty quick, so the shallower it is, the more often you have to fill it up.Already noticed some evap, will only get faster with summer comming.  The table holds roughly 30 gallons. Doesent take much to change the water level. Hopefully won't be to big of a hassle. I find that it works the best when almost full- the closer the water is, the sooner the sparks hit the water and go out, and somehow, that makes for less smoke, and less dust and brown gunk all over the walls.thanks, In tonights testing we ran the water level pretty close to the part worked out well. So far the water is doing it's job very well.  I brazed a hose bib into the bottom of mine, so when I want to drain it, I can hook a hose up underneath, and run the hose outside, and open the faucet. Gotta have a screen over the outlet, though- plasma makes very fine, very dirty black dust, which, with little cutouts, will clog a hose very quick.did pretty much the same, I tig'd a fitting on to the middle of the pan bottom and attached a valve for a drain hose. Thanks for the tip on the screen, that will help. Thanks!You will need to clean it out pretty often. My much deeper one still gets pretty full of cutouts, and I need to clean it every six months or so if I am using it heavily. Very crummy job- the plasma mud is filthy, and hard to wash off. I drain the tank, then shovel out the wet muddy steel bits right into a 50 gallon drum I use for scrap recycling. Nasty stuff.not looking forward to that job! Lol. But it will mean we are using it alot and that is a good thing!I also find that cutting the slots for the slats at a very slight angle, maybe 50 degrees, works well, as you can slide the steel onto the table easier, and it doesnt catch as much.Works well to make the slats a bit taller than the edges of the table, rather than below like you did- so you can slide, or forklift, bigger sheets right on.I will sometimes cut a 4x10 sheet on my  water table, and if it had to drop down inside, obviously that wouldnt work. I have done 4x10's, where I cut one end, flip it around, and cut the other. Even done 5' wide stuff, the same way. Or just cut the end off a bigger piece of plate.With big, heavy stuff, I load my table directly with the forklift- put the sheet just above the edge of the table, and slide it off onto it, so it is important the water table is VERY herky.we left the rail height just a bit low to help contain the water and be able to raise the water right to the material. If we need to in the future we will replace the rails with wider stock to raise the bed height. For now the plan I think if we need to cut longer stock down we will space it up. If we get to the point where we need a forklift to load sheets into it I think it will be time for an upgrade! On both the table and the shop space as thier  no way to get a forklift to it anyway. I see you have put levelling feet on- I would say thats another must.defenatly, the floor where the machine sits is crazy unlevel. One side of the table would overflow and the other would be emply without the adjustable feet! (ok so maybe not that bad but close!)
Reply:Jeromy,I'm totally ignorant when it comes to plasma and water tables. What is the purpose/advantage of a water table.Beautiful job on the table, thanks for posting.
Reply:Nice piece!!!If you are running allot of production you can save a ton of cash on replacement slats by adding a mid support and fishing 1/8" slats though with a slight curve (place the middle of the first slat in the second or 3rd slot. The curve adds rigidity to the slat.Scotthttp://www.welders360.com/Last edited by Scott Hightower; 05-02-2010 at 09:31 AM.Reason: forgot sigNew guy.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald AJeromy,I'm totally ignorant when it comes to plasma and water tables. What is the purpose/advantage of a water table.Beautiful job on the table, thanks for posting.
Reply:Turned out really nice man!!! Going to be making my water bed soon for mine too.Strive For Perfection
Reply:Maybe I missed it, but did you build that table big enough for the 2x4 now available?  It looks about that size.I am considering buying the torchmate 2x4 soon (maybe tomorrow).  Any suggestions/recommendations?  I plan on building a water table too.  Anything you would change about yours now that you have had it a while?If you don't mind (as I don't yet have a machine), what are the dimensions of your table?The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --