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One the most useful things I ever fabricated was a downdraft cutting table.
I made one about 20 years ago and it turned out to be one of the most useful things I ever made.
I have used it as a plasma cutting table, a downdraft grinding table, a paintfume downdraft table, oxyfuel cutting table, and even a table to weld on galvanized coatings so I wouldn’t have to breathe the fumes.
It’s made with a funnel/vent hood that directs all the sparks and dust into a sliding tray where they can be dumped periodically.
This time around, I intend for it to be even more useful and am including a few improvements.
For example, I am including a telescoping handle that can be used to support short lengths of angle iron, flat bar, etc. without needing a roller stand.
I have a few other ideas as well… so stay tuned for the follow up videos.
I estimate this thing taking at least 3 videos to include enough details and dimensions to make it easy for schools to take this on as a student team project.
You will notice I am using the Stronghand Tools BuildPro Table as well as one of their 3 axis clamps. That helped me to knock out the frame in just a few minutes.
Also, being able to visualize the vent hood by using a riser block to transfer a point in space was extremely helpful and was a time saver.
( As always, feel free to visit us at our sister site, WeldingTipsAndTricks.com. )
I wish I had bought of something like this Jody. What a brilliant idea . I will attempt to make something along those lines myself.
This is more of question then a comment. I see you are using a piece of Al angle iron for a guide to track your straight cuts with the Spectrum 625. Doesn’t this technique have a tendency to reduce tip life by using a conductive material as a guide. I would think the arc inside the tip would try to short circuit to the aluminum through the tip and elongate the orifice causing an irregular kerf on future cuts?
Good project for my welding class and I will make one for my home shop. Can not wait to see the rest of this project go together.
Great Video!! thanks for the excellent tips Jody!!
That was a nicely done video, thanks for the instruction. Learned several fab techniques that I could have wrestled with on my own for some time and maybe not have discovered. Motivating. Makes me want to build something.