Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Electric Compass for a Plasma Cutter
Hackaday: If you are a Maker space or individual lucky enough to own a Plasma Cutter, this electric protractor compass could be handy. The folks over at [MakeItExtreme] built this circle cutting tool to help cut circles and rings in thick metal sheets using their plasma cutter.
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6 comments:
If you have a plasma cutter already, having the ability to cut out perfect circles would be really useful because unless you have a CNC plasma cutter, you’re going to have to cut it out by hand or use a band saw, both of which are only as accurate as you are. If you are dedicated enough to really want a circle cutter adapter, this doesn’t look that hard to make, and the guys making the video don't do it halfway- they make a tool that is going to last and look good. What was really annoying and distracting when I was watching the video was all the dramatic effects and shuttering of the video with the colors- I forget what that effect is called. It made it really hard for me to follow what was happening and if I was trying to figure out how to make this, I would have to watch this video many more times. The actual article was helpful in explaining what was going on and clarifying where the video didn't explain anything.
I do not think this looks that hard to make assuming you can get the right parts but it does seem a little overly complicated. Now I say that lightly because I do not totally know how to make it less complicated but my gut says there is an easier, maybe less cool/accurate way. Never the less, I love this idea. There is really no cheap way to cut out shapes in harder metals. Its either CNC or by hand. With wood you can use a jig saw or scroll saw, or easily cut it with a band saw but cutting an intricate shape out of steel on a band saw or with a hand plasma cutter…not going to happen really well. I think we can use the idea that is presented here and apply it to other shapes. I have an idea how you might be able to do this but I am not convince how well it would work or how you would make it but Id be interested in trying it out. Maybe I’ll post one of these videos one day if I have time to play with my idea.
I’ve never had the opportunity to use a plasma cutter before, but we have one in the CMU shop and judging by the video this seems to be a very useful tool. Circles can be the hardest things to cut and to have a machine that can do it with this precision can be great asset to a project. My favorite part about this particular project is that it was done with tools that are for the most part easy to get your hands. I realize that not every shop is going to have a use for a plasma cutter but this could be a router or another shop tool. You might have a slight problem using the electro magnate on wood, but I’m sure with some slight modifications you could make an adjustment. Overall this video is well made and really emphasizes the key points to help make your project a success.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t read the article, I just watched the video. And I’m impressed. Often times with videos like these, I don’t see the point but this one is different. I first started out asking “what’s the point?” And then I realized two things. One, this is really cool and two, it is really hard to cut a perfect circle. I suppose one could have a few wooden circles to use as templates or guides to cut against when using a plasma cutter. The advantage to this is that it doesn’t have to be a set size of circle. I noticed that in the video they only use what looks like 1/8” or ¼” metal. The speed at which the cutter is rotating could determine the thickness of metal that it can cut. I don’t have a lot of experience with plasma cutters, but I know that different thicknesses of metal and different alloys of metal require a different cutting speed. I don’t know if this version has a variable speed motor, but if it doesn’t that would be great addition for the next iteration of this gadget.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t read the article, I just watched the video. And I’m impressed. Often times with videos like these, I don’t see the point but this one is different. I first started out asking “what’s the point?” And then I realized two things. One, this is really cool and two, it is really hard to cut a perfect circle. I suppose one could have a few wooden circles to use as templates or guides to cut against when using a plasma cutter. The advantage to this is that it doesn’t have to be a set size of circle. I noticed that in the video they only use what looks like 1/8” or ¼” metal. The speed at which the cutter is rotating could determine the thickness of metal that it can cut. I don’t have a lot of experience with plasma cutters, but I know that different thicknesses of metal and different alloys of metal require a different cutting speed. I don’t know if this version has a variable speed motor, but if it doesn’t that would be great addition for the next iteration of this gadget.
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