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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Alan Resinger on July 20, 2012, 05:21:23 PM

Title: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Alan Resinger on July 20, 2012, 05:21:23 PM

Anyone out there have any connections for getting some metal laser cutting done?  I have some parts I'd like to get cut, but most places don't want to do small jobs at a cost that makes it reasonable.  Any help wpould be appreciated.  I can supply the DXF file for the job.
Alan Resinger

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: sleepy gomez on July 20, 2012, 09:05:06 PM

I would suggest finding some one with a plasma cutter.  There should be a bunch of shops in your area that would  do one offs.  Plasma cutting puts little very heat in the metal.  It is quick easy and cheap.

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Alan Resinger on July 20, 2012, 09:09:55 PM

Sleepy,
Thanks for the reply, but I need to get some small parts cut and some of the cutting has small holes to be cut.  Laser is the only thing that will do the detail I need done.
Alan

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Bill Little on July 30, 2012, 01:12:25 PM

Hi Alan,

If you don't mind me asking, what are the parts for?

Thanks!
Bill

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Tim Wescott on July 30, 2012, 01:21:30 PM

Quote from: Alan Resinger on July 20, 2012, 09:09:55 PM

Sleepy,
Thanks for the reply, but I need to get some small parts cut and some of the cutting has small holes to be cut.  Laser is the only thing that will do the detail I need done.
Alan

On the net, one never knows how much others may know...

I've mentioned laser cutting of flat metal parts before to my mechanical engineering friends and been told that plasma, water jet, and various other technologies are all viable alternatives, depending on what you want.  Apparently laser cutting is viewed as somewhat passe for cutting metal these days.  Assuming that you don't already know all this stuff, there's probably a slew of sites out there that give the pros and cons of each one.

You might try some of the guys that laser cut balsa -- they'll have machines set up for the opposite end of the power spectrum from what you need, but assuming that this is for model use they'll at least be interested in doing small lots for model stuff.

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Alan Resinger on July 30, 2012, 02:48:07 PM

Bill,
I needed to get some parts cut for some special control horns and some prototype parts for some handles.  Some parts out of mild steel and some parts out of stainless.  I luckily found a guy that will cut them for me if I don't mind a wait.  I'm waiting.
Alan

Title: Re: Metal laser cutting
Post by: Bill Little on July 30, 2012, 02:55:06 PM

Quote from: Alan Resinger on July 30, 2012, 02:48:07 PM

Bill,
I needed to get some parts cut for some special control horns and some prototype parts for some handles.  Some parts out of mild steel and some parts out of stainless.  I luckily found a guy that will cut them for me if I don't mind a wait.  I'm waiting.
Alan

Thanks, Alan!  I was wondering about a local guy, but he is no longer working.  I just found out that Medical problems have shut down his shop.

Bill