Hey guys,
I have a little project I'd like to do that requires a waterjet cutter. I can't afford what commercial machine shops charge for waterjet cutting, but I thought someone here might have access to one through work that they could run for cost. Years ago when I was still an engineer, I worked at a research center that had a great machine shop for prototype builds and we could use the machines after hours assuming we paid for all the materials, etc.
Alternatively, if any of you know someone who has one of these machines who does small run jobs for cheap I'd love to talk to them. China is fine, too, if anyone has a contact, and if they will use the right material.
The project is to make some reproduction 18th-century "firmer chisels" out of O1 or A2 tool steel. The material is tapered from about 1/16" to about 1/4" at the thickest. The waterjet is to cut the outline of the chisels out of this tapered material, and possibly to put the taper on them after they're cut. Waterjet cutting is ideal because it won't affect heat treatment on the tool steel.
Here's an example by a guy (lunatic!) who made them with a hacksaw and files:
http://planeshavings.blogspot.com/2011/08/making-18th-century-style-firmer.htmlhttp://planeshavings.blogspot.com/2011/08/18th-century-style-chisels-first-two.htmlA friend of mine also made a set with a power hacksaw and files, because he couldn't find a CNC alternative he could afford:
http://schoolofwood.com/node/52Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Jim