CNC Routing/waterjet service needed for g-10 Scales?

B

Brian.Evans

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I need 200-300 sets of scales made. I really wanted to use textured g10 from Chuck and Jessica at AKS, but I am having problems finding someone who will work with the stuff. At the least I need profiles cut. At the most I need profiles and holes drilled. I can do the rest. If I don't go with the textured stuff, I need someone who will work with micarta. Any recommendations or ways to point me? Mark at Leading Edge is out, as is a local shop. Seems no one wants to mess with the mess of g10.
 
I think there is someone in Jersey, somewhere near NJSB that would do it. Cant remember the name atm.
 
Head to the www.mechmate.com forum, lots of folks there with machines to do what you need, no intermediaries, just hobby & hobby/pro guys.


Pablo
 
Here at work when we need WJ work done, we use JIT Global Enterprises in Apollo, Pa. Great prices and friendly folks. They might be able to help you out? DonO
 
I manufacture 3D machined scales in production quantities. I have a VMC largely dedicated to this with a special sump designed to deal with the "mud".

Setup, programing and fixturing costs are fixed, so quantities tend to be over 500, but there is nothing stopping you from ordering fewer...

I do G10, but it costs more than micarta because cutter life is poor and it requires more work to protect the machine from the glass.
 
I've had a shop attempt G10 on a waterjet. Didn't really work, every pierce caused delamination between the layers. You could possibly have the outer contours cut on a waterjet as long as they always do a lead-in off the material and never try to pierce on it.

I'd go with someone like Nathan, or a high quality CNC router if you want them to be even remotely accurate. He's right that setup costs are no joke, and will be the majority of what you're paying for in small orders, unless you find someone desperate for work who will waive those costs. If that's the case, you have to wonder why they're desperate for work.
 
Kloepper Knife Works said:
I've had a shop attempt G10 on a waterjet. Didn't really work, every pierce caused delamination between the layers.
Click to expand...
There are only a few waterjet shops that know how to cut G10 and carbon fiber. I know of three ways that work:

1) Cut from the edge and don't pierce.

2) Some shops have a drill on the cutting head. The drill is used to make the hole and then the cutting head is moved over the hole and the water stream is started.

3) Some shops have a special head that starts the abrasive before the water.

As your waterjet cutting shop what type of machine they have and their capabilities. You should know what they can and can't do.

Chuck
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I manufacture 3D machined scales in production quantities. I have a VMC largely dedicated to this with a special sump designed to deal with the "mud".

Setup, programing and fixturing costs are fixed, so quantities tend to be over 500, but there is nothing stopping you from ordering fewer...

I do G10, but it costs more than micarta because cutter life is poor and it requires more work to protect the machine from the glass.
Click to expand...
Brian, save yourself time, effort and headaches and have Nathan do the work for you. Nathan has experiance with the tools, the material and is a knifemaker. I don't know where else you will find this combination of skills.

Chuck
 
I've been wondering about this myself. As Chuck said, Nathan would be the first guy I'd ask.
 
Alpha Knife Supply said:
Brian, save yourself time, effort and headaches and have Nathan do the work for you. Nathan has experiance with the tools, the material and is a knifemaker. I don't know where else you will find this combination of skills.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Nathan the Machinist said:
I manufacture 3D machined scales in production quantities. I have a VMC largely dedicated to this with a special sump designed to deal with the "mud".

Setup, programing and fixturing costs are fixed, so quantities tend to be over 500, but there is nothing stopping you from ordering fewer...

I do G10, but it costs more than micarta because cutter life is poor and it requires more work to protect the machine from the glass.
Click to expand...

Chuck, you're right. Nathan, sent you a message.
 
Chuck's info is accurate.

We've spent a fair amount of time cutting both CF and G10 for a few regular customers and find G10 to be a PITA to pierce. CF from AKS is no problem even on .060" dia holes.
Profiles cut from an edge are effective but piercing holes is not worth the trouble. We have a vacuum assist cutting head and find G10 still doesn't pierce consistent.

CNC milling or router is the best way to handle your G10 applications that require holes.
 
H2Oknife said:
Chuck's info is accurate.

We've spent a fair amount of time cutting both CF and G10 for a few regular customers and find G10 to be a PITA to pierce. CF from AKS is no problem even on .060" dia holes.
Profiles cut from an edge are effective but piercing holes is not worth the trouble. We have a vacuum assist cutting head and find G10 still doesn't pierce consistent.

CNC milling or router is the best way to handle your G10 applications that require holes.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your help in the phone earlier today, even if you couldn't help with my current project.
 
If you were over here in Europe I could do them for you. I just machined a new run of my own grips this week, a bunch from textured G10. I love the textured stuff because you don't have to bead blast them when done... I hate standing at the blasting cabinet. But you do have to be very careful handling the textured G10 once the backing layer is removed, any damage to the surface and the grips are trash.
 
Another advantage to machining them is you can have some nice counter bored holes for corbys.
 
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