New Plasma build in OZ

Hi everyoneIm located in Australia on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane.

I have started building a new table to replace my current table. 
The new table will be 4mx2.3m. Im doing this to allow for 3000x1800 sheets and include a parking area for the gantry.

Would like to have started building a few weeks ago but have to get orders out the door first.
Also picked up a bandsaw that Ive been refurbishing which is up and running now.

Im searching for a supplier locally for the linear rails. Having issues locating rals longer than 3m.
Looking for rails 3700 long.If anyone knows a local supplier, preferably Brisbane to Harvey Bay that would help a lot.

Some before/after pics of the bandsaw attached  

Before pic

Its good to see more Aussie built tables, make sure to post plenty of pictures!

I brought my Hiwin 25 linear rails from Industrial dynamics in Melbourne- industrialdynamics.com.au/ , I am in Dubbo but the freight was pretty reasonable. I brought 2x4000 and 2x2500 lengths.

And having a decent band saw really speeds up the fabrication process.

I'm in Brisbane, You could try talking to Marty at www.statewidebearings.com.au/ but I think Industrial Dymanics are a better (more responsive) option. I have a recent quote for them for 3.0m lengths of HGR25 at AUD $521 a piece

Thanks for that.

Also a better pick of how the saw looked when I got it. Cost me $300 and $800 to refurb. Now has all new bearings, guides, downfeed and a complete rewire.

Also picked up a spare bridgeport mill. Actually purchased it just for the slotting head which I swapped over onto my existing brideport. The new one is destined for a cnc conversion down the track but have to get the new table built and dailed in first.

As for the new table I plan to have the slides under the table. I will predrill and mount the rails before weldng up the bed. After tacking the base together. Ill make sure eveything lines up and is square and use using a dummy ganty on the bottom to double check the alignment before Tig welding the rest of the frame. Anyway thats the plan

BTW main frame will be 150x150x5 which I have in stock. Ill get cutting as soon as I have some rails
 

Your not mucking around with the frame,

I made the main members of my frame out of 100x6 SHS and the rail mount supports out of 150x100x6. I bolted the rail mount support rails to the main frame so I had room to adjust the frame if needed.

I have had many 3000x1500x25 sheets of plate on the table with no deflection. Go big or go home I say!

I have the the 150x150x6 left over from another job.
Im also going to thermdrill the rail holes before tapping.

One of the reasons for mounting the rails first. I drill and tap them on the mill this way. If I do it later would have to use a mag drill and a mag tap stand

As for going big I'd rater go big than flimsy on the bed, but thats just me. Legs will have leveling casters. Gantry will be all alloy though

I mostly cut 8, 10, 12 and 20mm plate. One of my products is 1280 mm wide from 10mm sheet. A real pain on 1200x2400 sheets which im limited to now. Hence the reason for being able to cut 3000x1800 sheets. I cant justify going to the full 6m table. Not setup for that in my shop.

With a 150x150 rail, you may be able to mount the rails on the top side and design a sheet metal splash guard to keep the water out. Might be easier...

Easier yes but I want to keep the table flat for loading and more protected from damage.

I think under is easier for alignment as compared to side mounting. Yes under more hassle than over but less than side mount.
Just my thinking might be wrong

I guess im trying to build out things I dont like and build in things I do like.
Lots learned about that from my current table (out of action) and using a samson 510 over the last few months.

On my next table I will mount the rails out of the way, I found that water and grime splash out of my water table and cover the linear bearings and gum them up. I solved that issue by enclosing the bearing and running scrapers on the linear bearings.

My table is 4000x2500 cutting area but not all of that is usable with the gantry. I can load a 3000x1500 sheet easily with a forklift and have plenty of room on top to move around when unloading the sheets.