Water jet mahcines

[Scott Rod Fab]

Does anybody have any info on they make a water jet or possibly a laser cutter, that will handel a 4 x 10 sheet but is not a million dollars? I have seen some but they are a couple hundred thousand. I didn't know if anyone makes a machine that would not be used mass manufacturing, and priced for a smaller job shop. Any info would be great.
Scott

[racefab57]

 Gosh,Its killin me because I get a brocher,(sp) from a co. that doesnt seem to bad on $$.Ill think of it tonite at midnite,LOL, Ill post it if I can remember,SORRY.DR

[mikeyfrombc]

try OMAX they are out of WA and have WJ machines that start at $70K

http://www.omax.com/machines.php

[TheFabForums]

Could you use a CNC plasma. I know alot of guys run them over water to control heat.

[randycj7]

try OMAX they are out of WA and have WJ machines that start at $70K

http://www.omax.com/machines.php

This is the brand that the shop i work at has it works really good not sure how much it was but I can do a 5x10 sheet. I did here it paid for itself in about 7 or 8 months, our shop is looking at getting a second one. As the one we have runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and has been upgraded with a second pump unite to reduce down time when the pump needs freshening and it doubbled the cutting speed.

[mufflerguy]

Just to ad on to what Randycj7 posted. We run the Qmax 55100 with dual pumps for faster cutting speeds. We regularly cut 4X8 sheets of aluminum, copper and steel of up to 2" thick and more without issue. The downside is that these machines require a ton of hot water and abrasive. There is also the matter of what do you do with all the abrasive material once your done cutting. It ends up in the bottom of the tank and is a dumpster outside. This adds to you operating cost because you have to dispose of all this waste. We uses a dumpster for the filtered out stuff and call in a pumping/environmental company to suck the crap out of the cutting tank.........that gets expensive. The pumps also require regular maintainance and rebuilds. Here is the one we have and this link is for preowned/repo models. Might be worth a look.

 http://www.omax.com/factory-certified-pre-owned-waterjets.php

[Scott Rod Fab]

So do you guys think that is more cost effective to farm out the work, and not have to deal with the operating cost, and dissposal costs? I have a guy in town doing all my work now, but I was looking into getting everything done in house.
Scott

[Mario428]

So do you guys think that is more cost effective to farm out the work, and not have to deal with the operating cost, and dissposal costs? I have a guy in town doing all my work now, but I was looking into getting everything done in house.
Scott

You have to look at your volumes, we bought our small laser 6 years ago. For the first 4 years it worked 1 1/2 to 2 shifts a day so it was a no brainer.
Yearly volume should be 1/4 to 1/3 of the value of the machine unless you figure you can do work for others once you have the machine.
Operating costs can be a big factor so definitly bear them in mind. Electricity is another big one, if my laser is going 2 shifts a day the electrical bill is $2000.00 + a month.

[mufflerguy]

I spoke with our head water jet guy today and just some more food for thought. Our weekly abrasives bill (running 24/7) is over $2000.00! Just in abrasives, over and above all the other cost's I posted. I would imagine its hard to even pay for the machine using it under a part time basis. You would need to hire someone just to run the machine, and when your not doing your own stuff, be contracting it out for other companies. Unfortunately this can also bring another set of headaches!

[TheFabForums]

I think these could do the job over a water table to keep the heat down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cGSlkjMGlE

[CustomTanks]

Did you get the water jet machine? Or did you decide against it?

[Scott Rod Fab]

I am going to have to wait a little longer. The more I looked into getting one the opperating cost kept going up. So for now I will keep the local shops busy with my work. Thanks to everybodies input though.
Scott 

[mikeyfrombc]

sometimes that's the best route $$$wise unless you are prepared to sub contract out to others and keep the machine running as much as possible , a buddy of mine teamed up with a partner to purchase big laser ( $750K )for his own use , he spends a few $100K a yr on laser cutting so cover $15K a month to payment for the machine was the easy part , plus he offers the service to others and keeps the machine busy