You NEED to Know These Things When Buying a CNC Plasma Cutter

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:

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!

Filmed and Hosted by: Tay Whiteside
Featuring: Wyatt Allen
Edited by: Walker Hooper

Be sure to follow Lift Arc Studios on Instagram and Facebook!
@liftarcstudios

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!

[Factory]

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.

[jeffryblackmon]

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.

[matthewpeterson]

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.

[fernandofigueiredo]

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.

[fernandofigueiredo]

Great video brother! You basically covered the more important questions a newbie could have. Keep up the great work!

[curtishatfield]

I have the Shop Sabre SideKick 8 and I love my machine. And you're absolutely correct about Shoe Sabre quality and support!

[ericmac]

I’ve owned a 5x10 shop Sabre CNC for cabinetry for 5 years. Best customer service I have ever dealt with.

[ttamn]

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

[cornbread]

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.

[MarkinMuchea]

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!

[bigrednick]

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.

[davidozey]

Great video. Thank you for calling it dross and not slag. So many people call it slag.

[SchysCraftCo.]

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.

[chiplarkin]

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.

[wheelinndealin]

This is awesome hahaha I love the straight to the point descriptions, subscribed

[Martincustomdesign]

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.

[earlcousins]

A fantastic video with LOTS of GREAT information! Thanks for sharing!

[arthurkinuthia]

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

[CJ-tysv]

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.

[genefenning]

Awesome video! Thank you so much for taking the time to make it. Looking forward to looking through the other videos you have.