 ArtMetalsocial networking for the metal arts |
|
Wow you are all SO much help..............
Kimberli Matin -
Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 11:10am
Well I went to my local scrap yard and lucked into a perfect piece of 3/16 aluminum to practice on.........$1 a pound for a ratty cut-up piece of scrap!! You weren't kidding Bill when you mentioned the clean-up.....Wow.....I can't believe the mess......I was thinking that a shop vac within easy reach might help. I have access to a fairly large cutter, which only cut cleanly right after I replaced the tip and electrode with brand new ones..........I don't know how long they will last before it starts to cut rough and rugged again though. I really just need to get the price quotes back from the two CNC shops to see how much money I could possibly get from doing it myself. They will both take my DXF program design files. One of the places said that they would charge $23 per sheet to grind the surface into a swirl pattern ($45 per hour/half hour per sheet). I'm off to the shop again.........thank you everyone for SO much valuable help! |
|
ArtMetal
we just love to help.......
Kimberli,
you didn't mention the "limits" of your plasma. "fairly large" doesn't tell me much. LOL And as for new tips and electrodes...they are a must. As is an Extremely dry air supply, to extend the life of those consumables. And maintain a quailty cut.If you decide to cut and clean these yourself.....we'll be having this discussion afterwards :)
But in all honesty........I would advise that you have the sheet either cut with the abrasive waterjet or CNC router. And them doing the surface finish could also save you some time too, but that is a process that you could do with no problem if you'd rather put that money in your pocket.
By taking this approach you'll end up with a much better looking job in the end and make more money per hour on it. IMO
time is money and the clean up of a "hand cut" design could do serious damage to your budget. Hope this helps.... to save you some grief and make you more money.
Bill Roberts
www.CustomDesignMetalArts.com