Water table safety

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Am doing some small scale hobby plasma cutting and am using a plastic tub with rebar suspended in about 4" of water to do my cutting. The only things I know about electricity is that it and water doesn't mix, and don't stand in water. Should I put the ground wire on the rebar or on the piece to be cut? Can the experts give me some general guidelines on what to do or not to do concerning cutting on a water table so I don't kill myself. Thanks!
Reply:Fabricate a metal tub, tray or water table, ground it securely to a ground rod driven right next to the machine, connect the plasma work cable securely to the ground rod. Connect a multistranded cable of the same size (or larger) than the plasma work ground directly to the slats that the metal will be sitting on for cutting. The cutting machine frame (metal parts) should also be connected to the ground rod.Above is the safe, proven way to ground a water table and cnc plasma machine.I would not recommend a plastic tub.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Originally Posted by echosierra3Am doing some small scale hobby plasma cutting and am using a plastic tub with rebar suspended in about 4" of water to do my cutting. The only things I know about electricity is that it and water doesn't mix, and don't stand in water. Should I put the ground wire on the rebar or on the piece to be cut? Can the experts give me some general guidelines on what to do or not to do concerning cutting on a water table so I don't kill myself. Thanks!
Reply:Are you going to try and use a hand torch in the water table?     if so your going to regret it when you pull the trigger and it spits water right back in your face.   Not to mention shorting out of the hand triggerVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by DualieAre you going to try and use a hand torch in the water table?     if so your going to regret it when you pull the trigger and it spits water right back in your face.   Not to mention shorting out of the hand trigger
Reply:I have seen quite a few plasma water tables where, when cutting steel the water was lapping over the material to be cut.  Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdI have seen quite a few plasma water tables where, when cutting steel the water was lapping over the material to be cut.
Reply:Ahhh...  I was little quick on the reply button.  Why do you need a water table for 'small scale hobby plasma cutting'?  If you are concerned about fumes a proper welding respirator will keep the nasties out of your lungs.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Was just thinking about keeping the grit/dust off the garage floor. A few small cuts and it was everywhere. Garbage can and grate? Open to ideas! THX ED
Reply:Maybe a metal garbage can or open top steel drum with a grate and a little water in the bottom well below the workMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer