Home Sign Up!

Explore Community Submit

All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Ride Science Sports Tech

HOMEMADE PLASMA CUTTER

by jandgse812 on January 4, 2009 Table of Contents intro: HOMEMADE PLASMA CUTTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 1: tools I used to make it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 2: How a Plasma Cutter Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 3: The Plasanator in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 4: Plasma cutter Video with mission impossible tune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 5: The "PLASANATOR" Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 6: Instruction Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 7: Time for lots of pictures, hold on to your seats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 8: Now for some real pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 8

step 9: More Pictures to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 step 10: And some more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 step 11: My Friend George Muscotts Own (Warp Drive) cutter video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 step 12: Just looking around at the (PLASANATOR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 step 13: New One On The Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Customized Instructable T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

intro: HOMEMADE PLASMA CUTTER

I Have built a homemade plasma cutter for my shop and now you can. Check out all my pictures and videos and start building one for your shop right now. First things first. Like all welding equipment it can kill you if you don't pay attention to what you are doing, so be careful and double check everything, then do it again. I am not responsible for any injuriesor accidents that may happen. You can get most of your parts for free or very cheap off of old cars, stoves, furnaces,microwaves, dryers or any appliance that you have access too. I'm not saying to use your ladies things, if you do and you get caught, I'm looking the other way but will say a prayer for you. Turn on your speakers and watch my 1 minute video of my cutter melting steel like butter while listening to mission impossible tune.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 1: tools I used to make it.

Here is the tools I used to make it. Now the stand I made it on was welded but you can put all this in a wood box or even plastic if you dont have a welder. 1. flaring tool for making head connection. 2. Drill driver. 3. screw driver flat tip and slotted. 4. 1/4 nut driver. 5. 6 inch Cresent wrenches. 6. diaganol cutters. 7. lug crimpers from auto zone. 8. wire strippers. 9. zip ties 8 inch. 10. blue spade terminals, yellow rings and female terminals. 11. sticky feet to anchor the wires to board. 12. circular saw. 13. tefplon tape for air fittings.

step 2: How a Plasma Cutter Works

How the Plasma Cutter works The Plasma cutter uses two things, Air and Electricity. First the plasanator uses between 30 to 35 psi of compressed air. The air flows into the head and around the electrode through tiny holes in the swirl ring which capture and spin the air in a high speed vortex. Then the arc start circuit triggers and arc within this vortex and ionizes the air making it conductive, once this happens you now have a electricl short from the electrode to the work piece. Then since you have this short, the main arc current is drawn from your DC circuit. The amount of current drawn is determined by your load coils resistance, and then you get a large arc fire with a kick of super sonic air blast which is converted to plasma, the fourth state of matter. This plasma is about 30,000 degrees F, hotter than the surface of the sun, and this is what blows holes in your steel like butter. I hope this helps.. Joe

step 3: The Plasanator in Action

Video

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

Here is the Plasanator in action.

step 4: Plasma cutter Video with mission impossible tune

This video is only one minute long so turn on your speakers and check it out melting steel like butter. Yea Baby !!!!

step 5: The "PLASANATOR" Parts List

Parts List 1, 120/24 volt AC Transformer. 1, 120/12 volt AC Transformer. 1, Contactor switch 3 pole 40 to 50 amp 120 volt coil 1, Solid state bridge rectifier 40 amps 400 volts 1, Air Solinoid 220 volt 2, Electric stove coils 8 inch 1, 40 to 50 Amp double pole Circuit breaker from (Lowes) depends on box $15 1, 125 volt house hold switch,box and cover from (Lowes) $6 1, 3 inch computer fan from (Surplus Center.com) #16-1322 $8 3, 24 volt AC Relays from (Grainger.com) # 1N185 $9.20 each $27.60 1, Dr124 Control Module from (Auto zone) $22.00 1, Hei 12 volt ignition coil from (Auto zone) #cg39 $19.95 1, 12 inch female ends from (Auto zone) $3 1, Spark Plug of any type from (Auto zone) $2 1, Low voltage bridge rectifier from (Radio shack) #276-1185 $3 2, DC Capacitors 3900 mfd 400 vdcfrom (The Electro store.com) $12.95 each $25.90 1, Air filter/dryer/regulator combo from (Harbor frieght.com) $25.00 1, China head torch 80 amp http://stores.ebay.com/welder-shop_cutting-torch_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8130064QQftidZ2QQtZkm with shipping should be $100.00 1, Foot pedal from (Grainger.com) under foot pedal switch, choose one (491-s) $20 1, Box of Blue female spade terminals and yellow ring terminals from (Lowes) $10 1, One 6 inch work clamp like whats on jumper cable (Harbor frieght) $5 ''''

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 6: Instruction Notes

Ok, Some Notes: Hopefully who ever you are that is looking this over, has some electrical knowledge of sorts. At least be able to wire a switch so you can understand whats going on here. First off, the circuit breaker on my board is something I had, to dress it up some and you dont need this type of breaker. If you want, just use the breaker in the parts list for your fusebox, which you might already be equipped with. The ground doesnt need to be ran through a fuse but you will need it connected to your board. Thats another thing, connections, you can save a lot of money by just using old ? inch bolts with two nuts on them for wire main connections or any lead connection you come across, I did in the beginning. I have a picture for you to look at called terminal to show what I mean. Also you can save half the cost if you would just look around for some of these parts in your own area. An old stove, (coils) old microwave/oven combo (heavy-duty power cord wire for main leads or dc side of board), old 12 volt charger for non-working cordless drill (12 volt transformer). Do you have an old car? Or can you get to a junkyard? (Coil, wire for coil, GM control module, Spark plug. If you just take your time you could find 80 percent of this stuff just like I did. Now Im just saying you could find this stuff but I dont recommend building this at all, its for (EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY) and Im not responsible for anyone that gets hurt trying to build this. Now the fittings you need to hook the plasma head to the filter is something you will have to put together (IN YOUR MIND, NOT FOR REAL) because what ever head you may use can be different from mine. If you come across part say like the contactor switch, you find one cheaper but the coil voltage is 24 volts rather than 120. No problem just tap into the 24 volt system and run that through the house switch rather than the 220, just email me with questions if you need to. Heres a big one, when I get done cutting my capacitors still are holding a charge even when I disconnect the power, I just take a large bleeder resistor or have used also any old choke coil. Touch it across the negative and positive wires coming off the caps dont worry about me it doesnt make a boom like you think. Now my rig you see was just for test purposes and to make it easy to change parts easily and quickly if I needed to. I plan on mounting all my parts in a nice cabinet probably wood construction and put some wheels to move around a lot easier. Hers something, most of the china torches main lead (electrode lead) is ran through the air hose, so the connection nut is your electrode or negative connection. This means that you would have to connect the electrode cable to the air filter frame. Its a good thing your not gonna build this because it is not an isolated circuit like if it had a transformer so one would need to be careful around this unit. Thats why I would mount in wood case instead of metal.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

About the computer fan, this is to cool the main bridge but it doesnt have to be 120 volt. If you have a 24 volt ac fan then just hook to 24 volt side instead of 120 and when breaker is on so will be fan. When mounting the control module to a metal platt form dont foreget to put the grease that comes with it to help cool it although it never gets hot for me. Now thats what I would do if this was for real and not just (Educational) if you know what I mean? The way I would do this project is start with page 1 and complete it then so on till Im done.

step 7: Time for lots of pictures, hold on to your seats.

Now you get tons of pictures and I will put a couple of videos on the end of this thing. You have your work cut out for you but its really easier than it looks just follow these first diagrams one by one and you will be done in a flash.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 8: Now for some real pictures

Now here is a bunch of real pictures and pay attention to the ones about connecting your plasma head its very imprtant.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 9: More Pictures to come

Here are some more, don't go any place.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 10: And some more

Oh yea, I said more.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

step 11: My Friend George Muscotts Own (Warp Drive) cutter video
Here is a friends cutter he made with my plans and he named his (The Warp Drive). I figured you wanted a break and the next video is of the plasanator on its test stand getting a good look at the parts in place.

step 12: Just looking around at the (PLASANATOR)

heres a video of the plasanator on its test stand for you to look at. Enjoy my friends and have fun and be safe. Joe

step 13: New One On The Way

Here are some pictures of a not yet finished one using dc relays instead of ac relays. Circuitry the same except there is no breaker on board and dc relays. Enjoy

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

Related Instructables

Homemade Jacobs Ladder Using an Auto Coil by jandgse812

Mini Van De Graaf... M & M style! by mcraghead

Snail Art Car The Golden Mean by jonsarriugarte

Homemade Propane Air Tank by jandgse812

Build A Plasma Speaker by Plasmana

Convert your Honda Accord to run on trash by jimmason

Amazing plasma globe tricks that you never knew before!!! by Plasmana

How To Make A High Voltage Power Supply by rocketman221

Advertisements Customized Instructable T-shirts

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 121 comments
Jan 13, 2009. 6:36 PM REPLY

elb says:
How complete is the schematic?

elb says:
How much is left to do on the step 13 version? Is this included in the plan set? Do the plans include the torch you built?

Jan 13, 2009. 6:35 PM REPLY

samuelchrist says:

Jan 8, 2009. 3:13 PM REPLY I am in australian we use 240 ac not 120v, what do i do just use 240 to 24v transformers,most of the rest i have worked out thanks.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

jandgse812 says:

Jan 8, 2009. 9:39 PM REPLY your 240 volt ac will split im sure just like ours and one leg of hot to ground will give you the 120 volt you need for low voltage transformers.

darwinwandler says:
NO it will not split. Use 240 to 24 or 240 to 12 volt transformers. I am sure they are common in Australia.

Jan 13, 2009. 5:22 PM REPLY

teddlesruss says:

Jan 9, 2009. 3:02 AM REPLY Eeek! No! No! A thousand times no, it will not "split!" Be safe, talk to someone in Australia that's done something like this. Please. I don't want to read an obituary.

jandgse812 says:
Well you will just have to use 240 volt to 12 and 24 volt transformers. Go to grainger.com to get them.

Jan 9, 2009. 8:25 AM REPLY

macsimski says:

Jan 8, 2009. 11:22 PM REPLY that is not necessary so. here in Europe one wire of the 240 is always on gnd level, due to the 3 phase way of doing things. between phases lives 400Volts, between phase and neutral lives 240volts.

praxis180 says:

Jan 11, 2009. 8:58 PM REPLY The way power is supplied over here in Australia is that the mains coming into a home is 240V there are usually just TWO wires plus and earth wire (AKA single phase). These two are active and neutral (I think it's what has been referred to previously as ground). Occasionally a home might have three phase, but in that case you have three wire plus earth, where two are 240V active and one neutral.....

samuelchrist says:

Jan 12, 2009. 1:14 AM REPLY yes here we do have what U say how ever the two coming in is Active an neutral the earth is a link the rod running from the ground, three phase is like u say but working in rotation red, blue and white plus neutral earth does not come in from the power pole ever...i install airconditioning systems for a living from small 1 kw units to 200 kws.

teddlesruss says:
What he said!

Jan 9, 2009. 3:03 AM REPLY

hu008 says:
wow! pretty good. might try it.

Jan 13, 2009. 11:52 AM REPLY

drboostv6 says:
This has been done years ago... just a different resistor.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odgp-LkEzJ8&feature=channel_page

Jan 13, 2009. 3:55 PM REPLY

drboostv6 says:
This has been done years ago...different resistor... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odgp-LkEzJ8&feature=channel_page

Jan 13, 2009. 3:54 PM REPLY

jandgse812 says:
why thank ya thank ya very much.

Jan 13, 2009. 12:13 PM REPLY

undinstructable says:
Congratulations, man! Very interesting though I didn't get the whole picture... It would be nice attached to a CNC machine... Thanks for sharing! A

Jan 13, 2009. 8:45 AM REPLY

jandgse812 says:
Thank you, I think that would be cool too. Im gonna work on that next.

Jan 13, 2009. 10:39 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

jimwig says:

Jan 12, 2009. 10:22 AM REPLY i have been cogitating about a plasma cutter for years.. i couldn't get a handle on the frequency part. but now there it is. i am so grateful. i will build this one. only in a higher power to cut 1/2 inch steel. (i hope) right!!!! thanks again sir.

jandgse812 says:
Thanks Jimwig, add a couple of coils to reduce the resistance and it will cut 1/2 inch with know problem.

Jan 12, 2009. 10:42 AM REPLY

jimwig says:
okay so now you know i sound good but that is about it.

Jan 13, 2009. 9:37 AM REPLY

tell me about the series coils. what are we talking in terms of size and inductance. i have some spike limiting coils from some stage theatrical dimmers. the dimmers went belly up sorta so the parts are available for this great attempt. they were 2kw dimmers with the coils in series i think so number 12 wire on a laminated core. inductance i do not know. if someone could verbalise theory of operation that sure would be swelll and excuse me if i missed same. great project.

panstar1 says:
(removed by community request)

Jan 7, 2009. 3:17 AM

tercero says:

Jan 7, 2009. 10:59 AM REPLY Pretty much what I was told. I searched for plans back in the fall for making my own plasma cutter and came across these very ones, and the forum found on yahoo. Tom Caudle over at CNCZONE wrote a frank reply to my inquiry if this was safe to build and use. In his words "Plasma has lethal voltages even without a transformer isolated primary. The workclamp on a cutting plasma is not at ground UNLESS you physically ground the table! You can get a nasty shock if you touch an earth ground and the ungrounded plasma table at the same time. The voltages are higher than TIG and MIG welding and there is plenty of current to kill. I know plasma cutters are expensive but building your own could result in heavy expenses to your family for the funeral. Half of the secret to plasma is the structure of the torch (with the arc start method) and the safety and control electronics in the unit. All plasma torches and units have sensors that if you are changing consummables and accidently hit the torch button you don't fry yourself. I have years of experience in power electronics design, high voltage systems and control electronics. I would not attempt the design my own plasma power section. TOM CAUDLE www.CandCNC.com" I got the same answer from weldingweb, Miller Welding discussion forum, http://www.mig-welding.co.uk They all replied that I was taking a stupid chance building and using this. So. I left it. I want to go on to build new things. Not die by building unsafe ones. Oh well.

bassbindevil says:

Jan 9, 2009. 11:10 PM REPLY There's at least one other person who'd agree. He built a DIY plasma cutter, forgot to power it off completely, then accidentally touched the tip. When he regained consciousness, he was very badly burned and lucky just to be alive.. I really don't like the idea of the work clamp being hot. I'd hold out for some surplus transformer that can be rewound, maybe the transformer out of an old arc or MIG welder if they aren't suitable as-is.

drboostv6 says:
You could get around that with a contactor activated by the trigger...

Jan 13, 2009. 7:13 AM REPLY

drboostv6 says:

Jan 13, 2009. 7:11 AM REPLY I'm currently building one...to get around these problems I'm using a huge isolation transformer, a contactor (activated by trigger also), and two heavy duty carbon pile load (HD car battery load testers) (to control resistance)

jandgse812 says:

Jan 10, 2009. 8:18 AM REPLY its no different than with welding when you have the reverse polarity swtiched on, its the same thing and just as deadly. Welding and plasma cutteing is not a toy and if someone touches the tip while using it then he or she is just being careless, who would get that close to the tip anyway? I wouldnt and maybe thats why after about 500 cuts with it so far im still alive. Your bathroom recepticleby code should have a gfi in it but I wouldnt take a bath still while blow drying my hair niether.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

bassbindevil says:

Jan 10, 2009. 12:58 PM REPLY Well, with most welders, reverse polarity maintains the work clamp at ground potential, and just changes the polarity of the electrode. Otherwise it wouldn't be possible to weld on large items which are at ground potential. It's great if you can use it safely, but, $400 for a Harbor Freight unit is peanuts compared to the inconvenience of lawyers or medical bills if something goes Horribly Wrong. You only need to turn your back on it for a moment with it hot for a friend/family member/pet to walk in and touch something they shouldn't...

jandgse812 says:
Thats funny, my lincoln changes at the clamp, I guess anything in life can happen if your careless.

Jan 10, 2009. 1:36 PM REPLY

jandgse812 says:

Jan 7, 2009. 10:00 AM REPLY I appriciate your input. but would you weld something while standing in water? I wouldnt and with all welding equipment there is inherent danger in volved that can kill you. The breakers will blow fast if any thing goes wrong before any major problems. When I cut for 10 minutes straight it will blow my breaker on q. I just put a fan on it and now cut for 25 minutes before it gets to hot, then let it cool for a couple of minutes. As for as affecting anything in the house, short of pouring water on it while its in use, its not gonna happen.

panstar1 says:
(removed by community request)

Jan 7, 2009. 11:06 PM

teeps says:
I think a ventilation system would be in order, no?

Jan 8, 2009. 7:40 PM REPLY

great instructable btw. stuff like this thrills me despite my complete lack of intention to attempt such a feat. really makes one wonder how many things CAN'T be hacked together that normally cost oodles of money, though. cheers

jandgse812 says:

Jan 8, 2009. 7:18 AM REPLY Thank you for your input, also remember now that if you touch the tip of the torch you wont be touching the electrode because it is insulated from the tip and only transfers to the tip when you power the high voltage arc start and come in contact with the metal. I can see some folks get to relaxed around welding equipment after awhile or any power tool but its all about being safety conscience about what where doing during these few minutes of operation.

tsm3rdz says:

Jan 11, 2009. 9:31 AM REPLY This may be a stupid question but I've got an old lincoln stick welder (up to 225 amp)that I don't use since I got the mig. What are the chances as could use this as my dc power supply? Than it would be isolated, correct? If so how would I go about adapting your plans to this old welder? Thanks in advance for you help

jandgse812 says:
Its not a stupid question, interesting to say the least. I'm not sure but I am going to investigate this because I also wonder about that.

Jan 11, 2009. 10:25 AM REPLY

tsm3rdz says:
Good deal! I will certainly keep checking back to this. What an ingenious thing you've done here. Very nice work!

Jan 11, 2009. 11:22 AM REPLY

drboostv6 says:
probably won't do it.. plasma cutters are high voltage/ low amperage - welder are the opposite.

Jan 13, 2009. 7:07 AM REPLY

drboostv6 says:
(removed by community request)

Jan 13, 2009. 7:06 AM

jandgse812 says:
Sorry but you really need to watch the video. It does work and its cutting like butter. The video says it all. The plasma is start with 40 thousand volts from the auto coil. You really dont know what your talking about.

Jan 13, 2009. 10:31 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

drboostv6 says:
Whats with all the negativity? 1. Sorry but you really need to watch the video. did 2. It does work and its cutting like butter. The video says it all. I didn't deny that.

Jan 13, 2009. 3:45 PM REPLY

3. The plasma is start with 40 thousand volts from the auto coil. Yeah - AC high voltage / high frequency - just as an arc starter.. the cutting is done in DC.. the AC overlay the DC only at the start. 4. You really dont know what your talking about. Wrong - you don't...a DC welder IS high amperage and low voltage...look into it. Plasma cutters use higher voltage and lower amperage.

MetalMuncher says:
Very impressive.

Jan 12, 2009. 11:09 AM REPLY

jandgse812 says:
Thank you MetalMuncher

Jan 12, 2009. 11:54 AM REPLY

jimwig says:

Jan 12, 2009. 10:36 AM REPLY i too have a considerable experience in high voltage electricity. that's electricity not especially electronics. all that means is mains voltage.. if you build this put it in an insulated enclosure. cool everthing well with fan(s) especially the series current limiting section aka the range coils -build it a section at a time and test everything as you go. helpful would be a scope to look at the output waveforms - see what frequency is being generated by the spark plug spark gap (a great idea). and yes my all means write a theory of operation blog for those of us who would like to modify the design for different apps. generally (with high voltage) one works with one hand behind him to keep from getting that CPR fatal jolt across the chest - from one shorted hand to the grounded hand. And i would suggest that whenever the unit is energized the operator (that's you all!!!) to do the same. it might save your life. and avoid that high funeral expense alluded to elsewhere by a knowledgeable reader. i am leaving out a lot but my brain is in dyslesxic mode, sorry.!

kiowamike says:
Thanks a bunch one more question though, what kind of pressure does this machine require?

Jan 6, 2009. 7:14 PM REPLY

jandgse812 says:
it runs great at 35 psi compressed air. and your welcome.

Jan 6, 2009. 8:09 PM REPLY

bugmenot says:
35 PSI, but at what flow rate? Thanks for posting this.

Jan 11, 2009. 10:12 PM REPLY

v.johnraj says:
Good Work jandgse812 !! I have ordered for this spares, yet to receive couple of items.

Jan 11, 2009. 2:03 PM REPLY

jandgse812 says:
thanks John, customs must be tuff over there?

Jan 11, 2009. 3:29 PM REPLY

mmh says:
Good Instructable. You are "Armed & Dangerous" :)

Jan 11, 2009. 8:19 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/

jandgse812 says:
I like living on the edge, kinda like how I sleep.

Jan 11, 2009. 8:21 AM REPLY

Captainamer76 says:
New to this. This looks amazing. You are a real go-getter. I would work on the safety issues posed. Just be careful. -p

Jan 10, 2009. 2:26 PM REPLY

view all 121 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE_PLASMA_CUTTER/