[CNC] Waterjet Cutting Kit

[pegg]

You hear people talk about building their own waterjet....not easy when you're talking about 60k psi.

I just saw several videos by WARDJet about a "kit" they are selling. It's virtually the same as a factory built system they sell but costs less since you put it together.

(Can't post links as I'm new here).

I know a couple Knife guys who want to get a small waterjet for cutting blanks. I don't need to buy one but I wish I knew someone close by who was getting one to help put it together.

 

[brino]

Hi pegg,

Welcome to the site.

I see you and WARDJet are both based in Tallmadge, Ohio. I gotta ask; any affiliation?

Here's the link to the kits:
http://www.wardjet.com/kit

they have 3 kit sizes:
2' x 2' starting at $65,000
5' x 5' starting at $75,000
5' x 10' starting at $84,000

Interesting site!
Thanks for posting.

I wonder how those prices compare to similar sized/featured plasma cutter tables.
Anyone know of any?

-brino

 

[pegg]

I've known the owner, Richard Ward, for 20 years. He came over from Zimbabwe and started a business out of his garage. He and I went to the same church and I've watched his family grow up. He's a man of integrity and what's always been interesting is how he wants other small start ups succeed in whatever they are doing. I've heard him talk about not selling a waterjet to someone and advising they actually buy another machine (like plasma). He truly wants to help the "underdog" succeed.

 

[Ken_Shea]

Welcome to the forum Pegg,
Would love a water jet, what shop, home or otherwise wouldn't, kit or not they will never be a common fixture in any home machining shop, simply too expensive to purchase, maintain and operate.
USA made lasers are the same thing, extremely high priced, Chinese models are a fraction of the price and you get all the headaches of dealing with the Chinese mind set on QC issues for free Never priced their Water jet machines, be interesting to see the cost difference.

 

[JimDawson]

Welcome to The Hobby-Machinist pegg. It sounds like you will be a good resource for water jet related questions and discussion. As Ken_Shea stated, that type of equipment generally would not be found in a home shop do to cost of purchase and operation. I would love to have one, but I just can't justify the cost. It would make a nice addition to my stable of equipment. I'd love to have a laser also, but I don't think that's going to happen either.

If you have any machining questions, please don't hesitate to ask. There are a lot of very experienced members here that are very willing to help.

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[Primitive_Pete]

I read some where the protective gear will provide .5 secs of protection that right a half a sec! I think wateriest really cool but that kinda scares me lol

 

[Firestopper]

I wonder how those prices compare to similar sized/featured plasma cutter tables.
Anyone know of any?

I purchased a CNC plasma (50"X110" envelope) 80/20 kit, built a sliding try type water table, purchased a new dedicated computer and cabinet, new 80amp mechanical torch, new Hypertherm 1250 and software (Bobcad,sheet cam) for about 18-20K back in 2006. I have cut up to 1.120" with nice results but mostly 16a-1/2" with excellent results. Keep in mind some cost was driven up due to upgrades and could be done for less money.
Understand that water jet cut quality is superior to plasma cut quality as the plasma cuts with a slight arc cone resulting with a minimal bevel. For this reason, I always machine any critical holes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Flammable_Solid]

Water jet cutting leaves the same bevel as plasma cutting and flame cutting. The primary advantage of water jet cutting is that you do not put heat into the material you are cutting, so you can cut fully heat treated material.

 

[Firestopper]

Good to know, I once saw a large (36") flange cut via water jet and the 1" bolt holes appeared to be perfect in diameter (top and bottom). BTW, we have cut AR500 with the plasma with no effect on the material (range targets). I suppose the water level helps keep the material cool.
I was conveying to brino the price difference in price on similar table size. Roughly a $65K difference plus you can change out the torch and have a manual potable plasma to boot.
Thanks for clearing up the cut qualities between the two.

 

[wrat]

Water jet cutting leaves the same bevel as plasma cutting and flame cutting

Well, it leaves *a* bevel but not the *same* bevel. If it does, something is not setup correctly. Waterjet bevel is significantly smaller.

The primary advantage of water jet cutting is that you do not put heat into the material you are cutting, so you can cut fully heat treated material.

You can also cut materials at the other end of the heat spectrum. Plastic, for instance. Nylon, HDPE, and other hard to mess-with materials.

Roughly a $65K difference plus you can change out the torch and have a manual potable plasma to boot.

Personally, I cannot imagine why you'd want to do this. Once you go waterjet, sure, there will be that occasional job you'd send over to the plasma table just because it's been sitting idle, but I can't see why you'd ever take down a perfectly good waterjet to make it into a plasma. The waterjet cut is cleaner, faster, and more precise in every material i've ever encountered. Oh... wait... i might have read that wrong....

Not that it matters to me. As a hobbyist, it's basically out of my price range, anyway, That and it's a bit of a hassle shoveling the garnet media into the hopper and all. There are a number of jets around here and I can get cuts done pretty reasonable by just providing the material and the .dxf of the profile.

Wrat