Anyone here water jet for cutting metal? (1 Viewer)

[RSnodgrass]

*Edit water jet not plasma


Anyone in the club able to do this or familiar with someone who is?

I'm looking to get a large piece of stainless with letters/logo plasma cut out of it.

It's then going to be attached to a back brace/mild arch to bow it outward. Finally will have another piece of stainless backing it as I'll be lighting internally.

 

[Nezw0001]

I have a plasma cutter but it is not a computerized one. You are welcome to use it if you want to free hand cut it.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Appreciate the offer, this is for the office so I'll need it pretty clean.

 

[mrbill]

If you have to hire the job out I think you would get a cleaner cut with a water jet. I actually do some part time work cleaning up parts that have been plasma cut.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Good c

If you have to hire the job out I think you would get a cleaner cut with a water jet. I actually do some part time work cleaning up parts that have been plasma cut.

Good call, yes water jet is definitely better for this.

 

[Coolbobjoe]

Good c

Good call, yes water jet is definitely better for this.

What the thickness of the metal? Any reason to not laser cut sheet metal? I used to run the CO2 laser unit at the makerspace in South Mpls and we could get through some decently thick gauge sheet metal with good precision. Some metals also have an interesting "burn" mark that was kinda cool sometimes as well. I've used waterjet before and its not extremely precise, but it can go through way thicker/harder materials. There wasn't any other way I could make 1/2" thick 4140 plates for EV motor bracing but the cuts are a bit more harsh and sometimes require post-processing.

 

[RSnodgrass]

What the thickness of the metal? Any reason to not laser cut sheet metal? I used to run the CO2 laser unit at the makerspace in South Mpls and we could get through some decently thick gauge sheet metal with good precision. Some metals also have an interesting "burn" mark that was kinda cool sometimes as well. I've used waterjet before and its not extremely precise, but it can go through way thicker/harder materials. There wasn't any other way I could make 1/2" thick 4140 plates for EV motor bracing but the cuts are a bit more harsh and sometimes require post-processing.

Appreciate the ideas, it's for the entry into my office. Possibly could be aluminum but nothing that rusts.

 

[Pico bam]

There's tons of custom sign makers online. If your looking for the rainbow color on the metal high quality stainless will have a super nice patina and never rust (must be heated to get the patina). Be careful when going with aluminum as some (extruded/cast) is not very bendable especially thicker sheet. Sorry I don't have the hook up on this one.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to break certain kinds of commen aluminum.