[pjohnsonj]

Going to this in reverse a bit,will post build pictures/comments soon. Here is a picture of the semi completed Saturn Plasma.

Phil
Ohio

Attachment 357544

[MajorTendonitis]

I want to purchace a 4/4 Saturn from FLA soon . Never thought of it as a CNC plasma cutter , very neat

[difalkner]

That's a nice looking setup! The stand looks pretty sturdy, too. Did you build that?

David

[pjohnsonj]

Yes, i built the stand. Here are some pics
Attachment 357698Attachment 357700Attachment 357702Attachment 357704Attachment 357706Attachment 357708Attachment 357710Attachment 357712Attachment 357714Attachment 357716Attachment 357718Attachment 357720.Attachment 357696

[difalkner]

Let me rephrase - that is a SERIOUSLY nice and sturdy stand!!

David

[MajorTendonitis]

Let me rephrase - that is a SERIOUSLY nice and sturdy stand!!

David

+ 1 . I really need to learn how to weld . Bought one , just haven't used it yet

[pjohnsonj]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Here are more photos.

Attachment 357832Attachment 357834Attachment 357852Attachment 357838

55 gallon drum in this photo is for water storage for the water table. I did not want the water standing in the tray all the time. Water drains in the drum when not in use. All it takes is 5psi of air pressure to push the water back into tray.
Attachment 357840

Attachment 357842Attachment 357844

water table
Attachment 357848Attachment 357850Attachment 357846

[difalkner]

That's pretty slick looking - very well done! What will you be cutting (primarily)?

David

[pjohnsonj]

I will be cutting anything from decorative/art pieces to misc brackets/parts. More pics...

floating head on z with magnetic breakaway torch mount
Attachment 358864Attachment 358866Attachment 358868Attachment 358870Attachment 358872



My Z mount had same issue as some of the others with needing spacers. I took advantage of it and made a support shelf.
Attachment 358874Attachment 358876Attachment 358872



I took some regular 8020 end caps and milled holes in them to cover gantry ends
Attachment 358880Attachment 358882



I replaced the energy chains with CNCRP ones. the ones that the Saturn came with drove me nuts, although they function fine. I made brackets for the ends of the new energy chains instead of threaded rod. Also drilled a big hole with a rubber grommet for wires.
Attachment 358884Attachment 358886Attachment 358888Attachment 358890Attachment 358892Attachment 358894Attachment 358896Attachment 358898

[cobra514]

That is great work. Hats off to you.

Those gantry ends are a nice touch. Actually, looking at it, one would just assume the Saturn comes with those.

Modifications/upgrades that look "stock" are the best. They don't have to be expensive or complicated to be impressive.

Can you explain what your primary issue was with the stock energy chain?

[beltramidave]

Thanks for all the pictures, looks great! I think I may have gotten the first Saturn with the steel beam gantry. Kind of missed not being able to run cables through it.
What kind of speeds do you need for plasma cutting?
Dave

[MajorTendonitis]

Phil , you certainly have some skills there . The type I'd like to have. Really liking how you welded the frame , and those end caps are sure a nice touch

[coherent]

Great job on the plasma setup. I've also made my Saturn into a plasma machine. I keep meaning to post some photos of my progress, I'll have to do so! I can see you have a Hypertherm, but couldn't tell which model? I'd be interested in sharing tips and info once you're up and cutting. I went with the new 45xp for my machine build. I like that Sheetcam has all the Hypertherm model tool list files, so you can simply load the tool list for your specific model, select the metal and gauge/thickness and it loads the factory cut speeds for your cutting amps.

[pjohnsonj]

energy chain. Again stock one functions fine. The CNCRP ones only takes a quick twist with a screw driver and they pop up(hinged on opposite side), quicker and easier. I will be adding stuff down the road and wanted to make it easier to get it and out. I also went one size up in width.

Attachment 359070

On the Fineline ones you have to use a small screw driver at very specific places. If you don't follow the proper procedure they will break. Make sure you follow this video.

https://youtu.be/NcQP_hFbgbQ

Using a Hypertherm 45xp, feed speeds depending on steel thickness 15 to 320 in/min.

Using Candcnc.com controller with THC. Went with the Linux version using a modified version of Linuxcnc called Commandcnc(from Candcnc). Using sheetcam as well. Sharing tips would be great!

Would love to see pictures of the new steel gantry.


Mores pics

Computer stand. Had this laying around, not sure if I'll keep it, but for now it works.

Attachment 359074

Attachment 359076Attachment 359078Attachment 359080

test cuts

Attachment 359082Attachment 359084Attachment 359086

[beltramidave]

Here are a couple of pics of my Saturn with the steel gantry.

Dave

[pjohnsonj]

I like the steel gantry a lot. The Saturn for a plasma table is a bit over kill, since your only moving a torch head around and not pushing/cutting material like a router. I have a router that I built several years ago and used 8020 for the base. Too much movement and vibration. Should have welded up a steel base from start. the cheapest way to help with vibration is mass. I would weld up a base full of heavy steel and cross bracing....

[difalkner]

Here are a couple of pics of my Saturn with the steel gantry.

Dave

That just looks awesome!

David

[cobra514]

I like the steel gantry a lot. The Saturn for a plasma table is a bit over kill, since your only moving a torch head around and not pushing/cutting material like a router. I have a router that I built several years ago and used 8020 for the base. Too much movement and vibration. Should have welded up a steel base from start. the cheapest way to help with vibration is mass. I would weld up a base full of heavy steel and cross bracing....

Would your opinion be that 3/16" wall box channel would be good for the base? Maybe even get away with 1/8" wall? I have some 1/4" wall laying around....but that seems like overkill.

[pjohnsonj]

Is it for a router or a plasma?

[cobra514]

Is it for a router or a plasma?

Router...for non-ferrous metals.