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12-07-2016, 11:24 AM | #1 |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| online source for laser cutting?
thinking about a new build and am wanting to get some custom brackets and fabtab kinda stuff laser cut out of steel. (waterjet would be fine as well, im just not too familiar with the process) do any of you guys use or know of some decent online resources to do this? i got the file creation and prep side down, i just dont really know why some online shops charge 16 bucks for a single part, while another charges over 100 for the same. so far lasergist is the cheapest and easiest to get the feel for. like amazingly cheap compared to other places ive found like bigbluesaw. |
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12-08-2016, 11:51 AM | #2 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,178
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
Though I can't provide any help for your quest I thought the below woukd be a easy way to make your money back for our smaller parts. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...aterjet-cutter Should have went in on Batch 1 |
12-08-2016, 12:43 PM | #3 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,202
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
Have you asked some of the vendors here? Someone might do it for you for a decent price.
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12-08-2016, 02:13 PM | #4 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 1,274
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
Can't you just find a local fab shop to do it??
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12-08-2016, 02:52 PM | #5 | |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| Re: online source for laser cutting? Quote:
i looked up some places, but im concerned it would be like a machine shop and a small one-off project would either cost a shitload or be disregarded as not worth the time. | |
12-08-2016, 03:03 PM | #6 |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
...i suppose i could call a local place and ask. but i hate to be a newb. |
12-08-2016, 03:03 PM | #7 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 1,274
| Re: online source for laser cutting? |
12-08-2016, 04:07 PM | #8 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: online source for laser cutting? Quote:
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12-08-2016, 08:39 PM | #9 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore
Posts: 4,442
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
Check for a local maker space. There's a water-jet at my local maker space, it costs $20/hr for tool reservation flat out and $70/hr for run time, broken down to 15 minute intervals. Not the cheapest way to cut metal but it does a nice job.
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12-08-2016, 10:23 PM | #10 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ORegon
Posts: 1,002
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
Most beginner friendly systems require a 2D DWG file or a CNC file (I'm not familiar with CNC). I've done a bit with AutoCAD and a 60W laser. It's about as easy as printing out a word document. The larger lasers (like you'd need for steel), require a bit more care. This usually means a trained operator. Sometimes universities have this resource. Check around. Our local university (Portland State University) offers fabrication services but an engineering student group. The 400W laser is $50 for setup and $35 an hour for operation and I think that is a fair price. You could get a good amount done in an hour. MELT: MELT Pricing & Purchasing |
12-09-2016, 11:53 AM | #11 |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
not sayin a maker space isnt cool, its just not what im looking for. lasergist is cheap as hell and very newb friendly. i think i'm gonna try it out with something small just to see how it really is. the only thing i dont like are the limitations they have for hole diameter vs thickness of material, which for 1.5mm thick is 3mm. for 3mm thick its 6mm. |
12-09-2016, 03:35 PM | #12 | |
No idea what I'm doing Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Underground, CO
Posts: 4,529
| Re: online source for laser cutting? Quote:
Hoop, have you thought of just machining them? Just because it's sheet metal tabs doesn't mean it "has" to be laser cut. I machined these on my mill: | |
12-09-2016, 03:56 PM | #13 |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
im just trying to figure out how to get some tabs made for the same or less than you see places like rcbros selling them for. i figured since its just 2d parts that laser or waterjet would be easier and less cost.
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12-09-2016, 07:11 PM | #14 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore
Posts: 4,442
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
If you could post a pic w/ dimensions of the brackets you want made, I'm hoping to make a run of "builders tabs" sometime in January. I could factor them into my parts run on the water-jet and get an idea of pricing for you. I understand you not wanting to use a maker space. I had to pay $100 for the orientation class to use the water jet. I've yet to have a project that justified the operating cost of that machine. |
12-09-2016, 07:38 PM | #15 |
Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: chicago
Posts: 2,814
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
thanks man. i dont exactly know what i want yet. just planning out stuff.
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12-10-2016, 11:50 AM | #16 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: online source for laser cutting? |
12-13-2016, 09:47 AM | #17 |
RcBros Hobbies Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oregon
Posts: 4,646
| Re: online source for laser cutting?
The issue with water jet or laser is the run time, not so much material cost... I have larger brackets made for work that cost less then my fab tabs do, and the laser we use is rather quick and very efficient. However when you take a sheet of 30 3x4 tab cards with a ton of holes and line cuts, time adds up.. More so then just making a few cuts.. Time equals money. Sometimes quantity in this line of business doesn't always mean less cost. Just a heads up. |
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