You guys know of anyone doing water jet work in Canada? (I apologise if I have asked before) Specifically I would like to cut some blanks out of 4140. I can even provide Auto CAD files. I thought I had an outfit interested but they have gone missing on me. Thanks
Jet Xtream 5375 Brendan Lane RR 1, Oldcastle, ON N0R 1L0 519-737-0538 Hey Brad. I've used these guys for work. I just don't know about shipping and depending on the material you want cut you will probably have to get it to them.
Although, it's a lot of miles away from Ontario, maybe of future use for someone else looking into this topic. At my work we use WaterJet Ltd. in Edmonton. $50 setup and most small jobs are covered in that. Preferred files are AutoCAD. Email them a file and they get back to you with a price. Price based on "table time". Darrell and Thor are awesome guys to work with. Dan
It's possible that Brad already has a bandsaw. Hiring a water-jet service is no different than sending your knife out for heat treatment. If your time and complexity of design are factors, by all means get a pro to do it. No tool can do all things well. Although a bandsaw cuts well, it won't make a crescent moon inside a skeleton knife or complex pattern in a folder frame. We're all trying to make the best knives possible. Dan
No I don't have a band saw just a hacksaw. I'm thinking about getting some blanks cut for hatchets. Honestly the cost for in making a hatchet is the preform or blank. The last hatchet blank I forged took a long time and a lot of propane. I'm trying to see if I can cut out some of the grunt work and do the finish side of things. What really sucks is shipping there are a few spots in NS that do water or laser cutting but they do not have high carbon steel of any type. Thanks for the input guys
Brad it does take time to gather tools in the shop for all aspects of knife making , that's kinda where I was going with my original reply , I was short for time so I was more less just getting to the point.....even a 2nd hand metal bandsaw of some kind to get you by will do so much for you in the shop.......well worth the money and save you loads in shipping and cutting by someone else etc was my thought is all.......kijiji is your friend and timing is everything there , I check it many times a week just because , last score was an oven for $140.......currently dealing on a press to go longside the little giant but it all takes time and money of course !! every penny from every sale goes right back into my paypal knife account , its there to draw for tools, more supplies, and holidays !!
Fixed it for ya. Just funnin', but there are so few useful services here that it is a little depressing.
You could try these folks in Ontario. I've not used them but know those who have and are happy. Good luck. www .haiwaterjets.com
I gave up on the waterjet idea. I was thinking about getting some hatchet blanks cut. I might revisit the idea when I have more time. That's a great idea but I maxed my tool budget out for a while (ok quite a while I bought a metal lathe in the fall).
