I found your series on building prototypes when I viewed your video about your CNC lathe /grinder. I am very impressed with both your knowledge and your shop. Would you please tell us about your background and your shop? Is your shop located in a business, educational facility or your home? What do you do for a living? I would like for you to run a series on the construction of your lathe/ grinder and any other equipment that you make. Where do you live? I am very impressed with you and you work and I look on in awe of it, but at 78 I am not likely to duplicate it.
Never too late to build some machines. My background is actually electronics but I spent the last 35 years starting hi tech companies, so far all successful. The shop is in my home but I have/had a similar one in each of the companies.
@@dgelbart I used to own Creo machines for printing. Rigth now I'm building a semi-rotary offset printing press for label printers. about 6tons overall weight, most surfaces under 5 micron precision. Thanks for your very instructive videos.
Ha! no gloves. People call me crazy when I plasma cut with no gloves, but it's much easier to maintain good control, and you just have to be aware of what parts are still hot to the touch. Love the UV glasses... plasma cutting goggles are annoying.
Would you please share more details about waterjet clamps? I made some out of 1/2" plate that look like I beams with screws on either side of web that clamp from 0 to 1" to the lower flange but they are a little bulky and not low profile.
I'm considering eventually getting a water jet because of the versatility of the work they can do, though I have no experience with them. What are the costs involved in running one and do you have any preference brand-wise? BTW, I'm really enjoying your videos, very straightforward and informative. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series.
All inclusive costs are in the order of $80-$100 per hour, but in one hour a waterjet makes a lot of parts so what is more important is the cost per part, which is a few $. I believe all major brands (Omax, Flow, Mitsubishi) are good. My favorite is Omax, including the Maxiem line . I have one Omax and one Maxiem.
Mr. Gelbart, thx a lot for your excellent videos. While I agree with your view on waterjet advantages over plasma, the price of acquiring and maintaining such machine is a littlebit intriguing for most of us. What's your view on laser CNC cutters?
CNC laser is less versatile than waterjet (can only cut a limited selection of materials and thicknesses) and costs about the same, so for prototype work I prefer waterjet. for sheet metal production, of course, laser is great.
@@dgelbart I'm building a 140 W CNC laser cutter with a friend for a few thousand. Commercial laser cutters can be had for under $5K. My understanding is that waterjets are substantially more than that... you are claiming $80-100K, I see a small "desktop" CNC waterjet for $10K. I'd also like to try CNC welding with our laser. In particular, I'd like to try welding granite. It'll be slow, of course. Definitely something that can't be done with a waterjet! Waterjets are amazing. I've seen someone cut a spiral spring from a sheet of glass with one.
Hi Mr. Gelbert, I would also be interested in the kind of laser pointer you used and if you have CAD files for the mount. What angle did you have to angle the laser pointer downward at to get the laser to shine through the nozzle. This is for the new MIT student run shop so any help would be appreciated by tons of future students. Thanks!
Tyler Hamer The angle is adjustable 0-30 deg. Here is a link to CAD files, designed for waterjet : drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByWaTeq__NX1eWtXQjIwWnU3V0E&usp=sharing dan
Hey Dan, I would like to cut some round 2" high spacers from precision ground plate and then epoxy the spacers into a waterjet cut hole in a plate also cut from the waterjet. What would your recommended hole/spacer tolerance be for something like this? Thanks in advance. FYI...I check UA-cam daily for your content and can't wait for the next installment!
Skyler Olsen I would just use the natural slight taper of the WJ to do a press fit. Would work great if plate is at least 1/2" thick. Epoxy will not be any stronger. If plate is thin both adhesive and epoxy will be weak. The right fit for press fit is that the smaller diameter of spacer just can go into the larger hole diameter in the plate. Cut on the fastest cutting speed, to maximize taper.
If you lost a piece in the basket call me ..hihi althought only the basket would be preferrably out of plastic...lol I´m a pro metaldetectorist Greets from the Netherlands Johny Geerts
It was my understanding that UV goggles aren't required for plasma cutting because the spark is not in your line of sight. I've only done it once and with no adverse consequences to my eyesight, but I'd like to know for future reference.
The UV light can reflect from metal surfaces and get to your eyes without line of sight. The effect of UV is cumulative: you can do it a few times but if you do it a lot you end up with serious trouble.
@@dgelbart Thank you. I supposed as much but the guy who trained me was adamant it was OK. Anyway, my one session with the plasma cutter made me fall in love with it to the point I intend to build a CNC plasma cutter. I should never look at one again while it's operating. I'd prefer a water jet but I just can't justify that level of spending. Still looking for a good reason, though...
Jean Roch I learned as a young man never to take any chances with what someone is saying. If the extra precaution doesn’t harm anything it should always be taken, let them take the chance if they so wish. This is a key lesson for technicians, when you first get to a malfunctioning piece of equipment invariably there will be someone telling you what they think is wrong. Never assume they are correct, I was doing a job early in my career and I did assume the initial opinion was correct I wasted nearly two days with de/re-assembly on a red herring. It wasn’t a big deal but it was a valuable life lesson for a young man.
Though Plasma arc looks a lot like welding, the voltages can be 100-400V and can be fatal, if the machine is poor, or the operator is careless about grounding. In addition there are many economy machines out there, and I have a friend who does quality control in china on these machines and they are vigilant about parts substitutions, etc... but not all suppliers may be. Being youtube, there is a DIY waterjet that a student made as an engineering project, that makes interesting viewing.
@@dgelbart Hi, I think putting an arm down into water containing metal debre and what not is a serious concern as it will contaminate and pass through your skin. Once sure, but absolutely not repeatedly. I also noticed the wall plug by the plasma cutter, it will slowly build up metal particles that in time will fuse in to a short of some sort. Love your stuff, thanks for sharing, wish I had your toys and knowledge :)
@@swenic Hey young viewers, please pay attention to comments like this. For older folks like me, it is a lesser concern as I know for sure I'll meet my maker before enough plasma cutting debris will short the plug.
This guy's eyes can't last long. He probably has already lost some peripheral vision, bit by bit and doesn't know. The UV filtering available on prescription spectacles does not attenuate the UV anywhere near enough. UV from the cutting is hidden by the nozzle but can reflect off metal surfaces - the reflecting will be quite a bit less than 100%, but only a few percent will be enough to eventually ruin your retinas.
Absolute Pure Genius! Sir, thank you for sharing your amazing work.
Great series! using a pantograph with plasma is a good way of scaling objects roughly. Very impressed with your through the bore laser guide. Wow,
CNC Plasma table AND CNC router will provide about any kind of cutting needed for most folks. Water Jet is very good with very small parts though.
Very educational!!!! Thanks again!!!!
I found your series on building prototypes when I viewed your video about your CNC lathe /grinder. I am very impressed with both your knowledge and your shop. Would you please tell us about your background and your shop? Is your shop located in a business, educational facility or your home? What do you do for a living? I would like for you to run a series on the construction of your lathe/ grinder and any other equipment that you make. Where do you live? I am very impressed with you and you work and I look on in awe of it, but at 78 I am not likely to duplicate it.
Never too late to build some machines. My background is actually electronics but I spent the last 35 years starting hi tech companies, so far all successful. The shop is in my home but I have/had a similar one in each of the companies.
@@dgelbart I used to own Creo machines for printing. Rigth now I'm building a semi-rotary offset printing press for label printers. about 6tons overall weight, most surfaces under 5 micron precision. Thanks for your very instructive videos.
Ha! no gloves. People call me crazy when I plasma cut with no gloves, but it's much easier to maintain good control, and you just have to be aware of what parts are still hot to the touch. Love the UV glasses... plasma cutting goggles are annoying.
You're absolutely correct about the missing safety precautions. Sorry about that.
Would you please share more details about waterjet clamps? I made some out of 1/2" plate that look like I beams with screws on either side of web that clamp from 0 to 1" to the lower flange but they are a little bulky and not low profile.
I'm considering eventually getting a water jet because of the versatility of the work they can do, though I have no experience with them. What are the costs involved in running one and do you have any preference brand-wise?
BTW, I'm really enjoying your videos, very straightforward and informative. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series.
All inclusive costs are in the order of $80-$100 per hour, but in one hour a waterjet makes a lot of parts so what is more important is the cost per part, which is a few $. I believe all major brands (Omax, Flow, Mitsubishi) are good. My favorite is Omax, including the Maxiem line . I have one Omax and one Maxiem.
Thanks for the quick reply
What do you think would happen if you tried to cut graphite with plasma.
Mr. Gelbart, thx a lot for your excellent videos. While I agree with your view on waterjet advantages over plasma, the price of acquiring and maintaining such machine is a littlebit intriguing for most of us. What's your view on laser CNC cutters?
CNC laser is less versatile than waterjet (can only cut a limited selection of materials and thicknesses) and costs about the same, so for prototype work I prefer waterjet. for sheet metal production, of course, laser is great.
@@dgelbart I'm building a 140 W CNC laser cutter with a friend for a few thousand. Commercial laser cutters can be had for under $5K. My understanding is that waterjets are substantially more than that... you are claiming $80-100K, I see a small "desktop" CNC waterjet for $10K.
I'd also like to try CNC welding with our laser. In particular, I'd like to try welding granite. It'll be slow, of course. Definitely something that can't be done with a waterjet!
Waterjets are amazing. I've seen someone cut a spiral spring from a sheet of glass with one.
Hi Mr. Gelbert, I would also be interested in the kind of laser pointer you used and if you have CAD files for the mount. What angle did you have to angle the laser pointer downward at to get the laser to shine through the nozzle.
This is for the new MIT student run shop so any help would be appreciated by tons of future students. Thanks!
Tyler Hamer The angle is adjustable 0-30 deg. Here is a link to CAD files, designed for waterjet : drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByWaTeq__NX1eWtXQjIwWnU3V0E&usp=sharing
dan
Dan Gelbart Thank you so much Mr. Gelbart! I can't tell you how much this is appreciated.
~ Tyler
Yeah but you need to replace the holding rail things
Hey Dan,
I would like to cut some round 2" high spacers from precision ground plate and then epoxy the spacers into a waterjet cut hole in a plate also cut from the waterjet. What would your recommended hole/spacer tolerance be for something like this? Thanks in advance. FYI...I check UA-cam daily for your content and can't wait for the next installment!
Skyler Olsen I would just use the natural slight taper of the WJ to do a press fit. Would work great if plate is at least 1/2" thick. Epoxy will not be any stronger. If plate is thin both adhesive and epoxy will be weak. The right fit for press fit is that the smaller diameter of spacer just can go into the larger hole diameter in the plate. Cut on the fastest cutting speed, to maximize taper.
If you lost a piece in the basket call me ..hihi althought only the basket would be preferrably out of plastic...lol
I´m a pro metaldetectorist
Greets from the Netherlands
Johny Geerts
It was my understanding that UV goggles aren't required for plasma cutting because the spark is not in your line of sight. I've only done it once and with no adverse consequences to my eyesight, but I'd like to know for future reference.
The UV light can reflect from metal surfaces and get to your eyes without line of sight. The effect of UV is cumulative: you can do it a few times but if you do it a lot you end up with serious trouble.
@@dgelbart Thank you. I supposed as much but the guy who trained me was adamant it was OK. Anyway, my one session with the plasma cutter made me fall in love with it to the point I intend to build a CNC plasma cutter. I should never look at one again while it's operating. I'd prefer a water jet but I just can't justify that level of spending. Still looking for a good reason, though...
Jean Roch I learned as a young man never to take any chances with what someone is saying. If the extra precaution doesn’t harm anything it should always be taken, let them take the chance if they so wish. This is a key lesson for technicians, when you first get to a malfunctioning piece of equipment invariably there will be someone telling you what they think is wrong. Never assume they are correct, I was doing a job early in my career and I did assume the initial opinion was correct I wasted nearly two days with de/re-assembly on a red herring. It wasn’t a big deal but it was a valuable life lesson for a young man.
Doesn't that particular waterjet actually cost more than one with a hydraulic intensifier pump?
They all cost bout the same, 80-100K $.
Though Plasma arc looks a lot like welding, the voltages can be 100-400V and can be fatal, if the machine is poor, or the operator is careless about grounding. In addition there are many economy machines out there, and I have a friend who does quality control in china on these machines and they are vigilant about parts substitutions, etc... but not all suppliers may be.
Being youtube, there is a DIY waterjet that a student made as an engineering project, that makes interesting viewing.
Ben K (def. not a student) made a simple one from a pressure washer! Much lower pressures than you would think necessary from the industrial machines.
Tab across the table not vertical with the slats
I cant find full serial, any help here, thank
Most are here:ua-cam.com/video/xMP_AfiNlX4/v-deo.html Thanks to the viewer that compiles them .
You seem to be missing safety precautions in many of your videos.
For the benefit of others, don't be shy about pointing them out.
@@dgelbart Hi, I think putting an arm down into water containing metal debre and what not is a serious concern as it will contaminate and pass through your skin. Once sure, but absolutely not repeatedly.
I also noticed the wall plug by the plasma cutter, it will slowly build up metal particles that in time will fuse in to a short of some sort.
Love your stuff, thanks for sharing, wish I had your toys and knowledge :)
@@swenic Hey young viewers, please pay attention to comments like this. For older folks like me, it is a lesser concern as I know for sure I'll meet my maker before enough plasma cutting debris will short the plug.
@@dgelbart Please do not forget to clean it up before you leave ;)
This guy's eyes can't last long. He probably has already lost some peripheral vision, bit by bit and doesn't know. The UV filtering available on prescription spectacles does not attenuate the UV anywhere near enough. UV from the cutting is hidden by the nozzle but can reflect off metal surfaces - the reflecting will be quite a bit less than 100%, but only a few percent will be enough to eventually ruin your retinas.
Keit is right. Better use goggles!