Part 1: Introduction

What is this guide?

This guide aims to be a one-stop, no-fluff guide to CNC plasma cutting — from first principles to a final build. It’s designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make your own decisions about designing, sourcing, and building a CNC plasma cutter.

We’ll break down the major parts of a CNC plasma system — what it does, how it works, and what trade-offs you’ll need to consider — in plain language, with a focus on real-world, hands-on building.

Whether you’re dreaming of building your first DIY machine, upgrading your garage workshop, or just curious about what goes into CNC plasma, this guide is for you.

What is this guide not?

This isn’t a copy-paste parts list or a step-by-step kit build (although we may make one of these in the future).

Instead, this guide gives you the background to make your own choices — based on your goals, your budget, and your skills. Every CNC plasma cutter is a set of trade-offs. We’ll arm you with the right knowledge, not one-size-fits-all answers.

You won’t find hype here — just real talk, based on hands-on experience.

Who is this guide for?

• DIY builders who want to design and build their own CNC plasma cutter.
• Workshop owners looking to understand and maybe upgrade their gear.
• Engineers and makers who want to get hands-on with CNC cutting, not just send files to a job shop.
• Anyone who believes in Built Not Bought — in taking the time to understand the process, not just buy a finished box.

You don’t need to be a machinist or electrical engineer — but a basic comfort with tools, software, and getting your hands dirty will definitely help.

Why am I building this guide?

I’m building this because I believe anyone can build serious, capable machines if they have the right information — shared openly and honestly.

When I first got into CNC, I spent hundreds of hours wading through endless forums trying to find answers — in there there was a lot of jargon, and conflicting information. It took me months of research, trial and error, and a fair few mistakes to get to a system that actually worked for me.

This guide is the kind of resource I wish I had back then: clear, practical, and built from real-world experience — not just theory.

At the end of this guide, I’ll also walk you through my own CNC plasma build — showing you what I chose, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently.

How to Use This Guide

You can read it start-to-finish if you’re new to CNC plasma — or jump into the sections you’re most curious about if you’ve already got some experience.

Each section is designed to be standalone but connected, so you can build your understanding step-by-step — or just grab the info you need.

Along the way, I’ll include diagrams, examples, and simple takeaways to help make sense of the more technical parts.

And if you get stuck, want to share your build or correct me on something, I’d absolutely love to hear from you — this is meant to be a community resource, not a lecture. You can either use the contact page on this site, or contact me directly at hello@seandrummond.co (Note: “.co” not “.com”)