Like many other tools, CNC plasma cutters were once used primarily by businesses. And just as user-friendly design software and consumer-grade hardware have made 3D printing more accessible, the same basic technology transfer has now taken place for CNC plasma cutting. In fact, many a resourceful hobbyist has designed and built their own setup.
For those in search of a more plug-and-play approach, a new crop of affordable, ready-to-assemble CNC plasma tables is available, including Eastwood’s 4’ x 4’ setup. Designed specifically for the DIY fabricator, its compact size is garage-friendly yet versatile enough for a variety of household projects. But for many new CNC plasma table owners, picking the first “real” project can be daunting.
We visited plasmaspider.com, an online discussion forum specifically for CNC plasma cutting, to see what people are making at home. And while fire pits and lawn art are overwhelmingly popular, some folks are putting their machines to work on more functional pieces. Below are ten projects that range from clever to rugged. And for good measure, we included two fire pits.
V8 Fire Pit
User abmetal made this V8-engine themed fire pit, but had second thoughts about actually using for its intended purpose. Apparently he liked it so much that he had it powder coated and decided to make a table out of it instead.
Winch Plate
Member SpecialtySteelGuy chose a popular winch plate design. This simple layout is meant to work with various winches and includes a fairlead opening. One simple bend is all that’s required after cutting.
Side-by-Side ATV Bumper
A member who goes by the handle SCHIDTHEAD made a whole ensemble of accessories for a Polaris RZR side-by-side. We particularly like the front bumper and skid plate.
C-10 Inspired Hose Rack
Fans of square-body C-10 pickups should enjoy this piece. User JP1 integrated the pickup’s front-end motif into a useful hose rack. Reading the comments, it appears his wife was less impressed with the design.
Hat Shelf
Member SA Precision Cuts produced this simple design for a ball cap display shelf . This looks like a great first project that just about anyone could do. A small box and pan brake will make clean, easy work of those 90-degree bends.
Welder Cart
There’s nothing wrong with putting your welder on an off-the-shelf welding cart. But user ruralfencer decided to step up his game with this beefy custom welder cart. Finished out in hammertone paint, it looks amazing all loaded up.
Boat Trailer Steps
Member gblaylo said he needed a better way to load the bow of his fishing boat while it’s on the trailer. His solution was this ingenious tongue-mounted step system with three steps and a detachable grab bar. Well done!
Wind Mill Blade
Wind mill blades may not sound like a common project, but we guess it was a practical matter for user acourtjester. Adaptations of this design could be useful for other applications as well, like exhaust or shop fans.
Truck Bumper
Off-road truck bumpers are ideally suited to CNC plasma cutting. This multi-piece bumper from member WinterFabrication looks like a tough unit all welded up and installed on a Chevy Silverado HD.
Collapsable Fire Pit
We started with a fire pit and we’ll end with a fire pit. Member Kars-o made this collapsable multi-piece fire pit as a donation for a charity auction and it looks fantastic!