Waterject cut blank questions

you can also download a free 3 year trial of autoCAD if you pretend your a student, but im not sure how easy a program it is to pick up and start useing iv had alot of practice in high school and college.
 
Waterjet cutting is a "Smart" thing to do i know from talking to a certain company a lot of guys are having stuff cut out this way,but they don't want anyone to know who they are ! i'm currently "Helping" with a "Project" that is all done Waterjet & CNC. the parts are very accurate/repeatable. if you are going to make several of the same knife it is a very smart way to go. think of it this way a Bandsaw will work but very slowly and may require extra blades at XX dollars each,grinding them out is a abrasive belt at XX dollars each ..would you rather open a box and start grinding blades /assembling parts or build all the parts from trial & error?? yea you got to pay the guy doing the cutting for you but everyone has to eat right? i have built a lot of knives the "Old" way doing this "Project" has me thinking real hard about at least having some parts made by this "Modern" method ..it is still your design being cut out why all the Cloak& Dagger claim it as a "Mid Tech" instead of a full custom .at least you are trying to meet demand.. i'll go back to the shop now .
 
I use a waterjet to do the bulk of my bandsaw work, I didn't know it was supposed to be secret.... :)

And why would folks keep it secret anyhow?
Who cares who does the bandsaw work?

I freaking hate the bandsaw.
 
I have met Mark. He is a fine gentleman who is interested in doing quality work.
I'll be using him as soon as I get off my lazy butt and organize my order!
 
What I want to know is how much would just one blank of maybe 7" oal cost? Using either your own steel or the operators. And, can a waterjet cut hardened steels as well?

If so, does this mean we wouldn't need to heat treat or temper if we put an edge on using waterstones?

SEMPER FI TIL I DIE
 
Not enough information provided and if I have to figure out everything the price is higher especially for 1 piece.
No different than asking a car dealer how much for a 3/4 ton truck.

russianpolander said:
What I want to know is how much would just one blank of maybe 7" oal cost? Using either your own steel or the operators. And, can a waterjet cut hardened steels as well?

If so, does this mean we wouldn't need to heat treat or temper if we put an edge on using waterstones?

SEMPER FI TIL I DIE
Click to expand...
 
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If your doing 1 of something you would be better off cutting/ grinding the profile yourself. I had a 12x 39 sheet of D2 waterjet cut and got back 36 9" drop point hunter blanks all exactly the same. Saved me a ton of work and got way more from the steel than I could have by other methods. I plan on doing it again with a couple other designs.

I don't know if it would cost more, but, they can cut hardened steel.
 
I asked a similar question a while back. The answers ranged from as low as $3 per blade to upwards of $10 per blade as a general answer. Typically I gathered it will run around $10 per blade for a relatively small order (around 10 blades).
 
Thanks for the complement Mickey it was also nice to meet you at Blade. The time there sure went fast being an attendee. It would be hard tending to a table when there is so much to see.
Not a problem taking your time on your order I have plenty on my plate and it's even hot around here. Tough going on the welding jobs right now.


Bill DeShivs said:
I have met Mark. He is a fine gentleman who is interested in doing quality work.
I'll be using him as soon as I get off my lazy butt and organize my order!
Click to expand...
 
Mark

Is it possible to do an angled cut - say 45 degrees in 1/4 steel to get a dovetailed effect like the carpenters joint?

What are the drawbacks?
 
I program Flow waterjets (and a Tanaka laser) for a living. As for 90° cuts, Flow has something they call a "Dynamic" waterjet. It is a standard 3-axis machine (X,Y & Z) with a tilting head (4th & 5th axis) with a very limited range of rotation. The 4th & 5th axis tilt the head slightly to compensate for the otherwise inherent taper. The tilting is done automatically by the machine controls. I imagine that the other WJ manufacturers have similar technology.

A beveled cut would require a 5 (or 6) axis machine, as was mentioned.

Also as mentioned, slowing down the feedrate (cut speed) and ensuring that the cutting tip (i.e. nozzle) is at the proper (i.e. not too high) height improves surface finish and helps with the taper.

On Flow waterjets, the setting for hardened steel is just a few clicks slower than mild steel or stainless. In other words, the cost shouldn't be much higher for cutting pre-hard.
 
Good question

Angel cuts are possible but no on my current machine. There are no drawback on angle cutting only benefits.

I'm expansion plans in the works for my shop this fall and will be installing a second machine that is 5 axis. It'll bevel cut up to 60 deg with a cutting area of 72" x 144" and tolerance of +/- .001" repeatability & .0005" accuracy. My current table is 48" x 96" and and +/- .003". How many knife blanks will fit on a 72 x 144 sheet......:)

Best Regards,

Mark

12345678910 said:
Mark

Is it possible to do an angled cut - say 45 degrees in 1/4 steel to get a dovetailed effect like the carpenters joint?

What are the drawbacks?
Click to expand...
 
Haha your disqualified for the 72 x 144 nest since you already have your blank nest figured out for a small sheet:) but since you replied so quick you can be first on the new machine.
 
Mark, which of the composite handle materials are the easiest for you to cut and bore at least a small pilot hole for the bolts?
 
Joe,

Micarta profiles good but seems we see mixed results on most all of the varieties. De-lamination with waterjetting small holes in all of them. I might add a drill motor option on the new waterjet I'm going to buy. I will solve the problem but the volumes need to be there to justify the investment.

Best Regards,

Mark

jdm61 said:
Mark, which of the composite handle materials are the easiest for you to cut and bore at least a small pilot hole for the bolts?
Click to expand...
 
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