Good Companies Selling Laser-Cut Parts Online?

[Chips O'Toole]

I saw a video of Keith Fenner using a Wazer home waterjet, and for about 90 minutes, I was fully convinced I needed to buy one.

Now that this has passed, I thought I'd post a question. Is there any consensus about the best company that does laser or waterjet services? I mean an outfit that lets you upload CAD files and then sends parts. I know a lot of people like Sendcutsend, but I thought maybe there were new competitors out there. Not in China, hopefully, but I suppose China shouldn't be ruled out for big projects that cost a lot.

I recently saw a Timwelds video in which he designed a very nice 2x48 grinder and had the parts sent to him for welding. It only added up to $144.xx, which seems like a bargain considering how steel is doing better than gold on the exchanges.

 

[wachuko]

Don't mind me, just tagging along...

I want to send the CAD drawings I recently purchased from Jeremy Schmidt to get the parts cut for the 2"x72" belt grinder build...

So looking for the same services...

 

[Chips O'Toole]

That's what I was thinking about.

 

[MyLilMule]

SendCutSend seems to be the popular one. For me, it was the price that convinced me. I couldn't find anyone else to do a small job that was cheaper, except for my local maker space that has a water jet. I only pay for the garnet that is used (based on pump run time).

 

[wachuko]

I had never used them... this would be my first for these kind of services.

I have to say... I went to the website, uploaded the drawings (.dxf) and got a quote... that was easy... There are two set of drawings in my case, one for thin parts (1/4") and one for the thick parts (3/8"). For the 3/8" I had to submit for a quote as it was over the size (??) they can handle automatically... I probably should have removed all the adapter plates for the different motors and just left one... I will retry after I do that to see if it can be processed automatically for a quote...

Anyway, glad I ran into your thread @Chips O'Toole !

 

[MyLilMule]

One of the services I had quoted would not let me send a nested DXF file. If there were multiple parts, they all had to be in separate file. Even though it LOOKED like it took it and gave me a quote, when I tried to order it, it got bounced. If any of your files have nested parts, try splitting them up into individual files. I think it was OSHCut that automatically nested. I can't quite remember.

 

[wachuko]

One of the services I had quoted would not let me send a nested DXF file. If there were multiple parts, they all had to be in separate file. Even though it LOOKED like it took it and gave me a quote, when I tried to order it, it got bounced. If any of your files have nested parts, try splitting them up into individual files. I think it was OSHCut that automatically nested. I can't quite remember.

Good to know. Thank you!

This one is a simple file (two actually)... One file, the parts, the way those were layed out, was just too long. The way the parts are arranged in the drawing.

I do not have a CAD app in this computer, so I can't modifying it to rearrange the parts... will have to wait for them to come back with a quote...

 

[stupoty]

Worth ringing around any local shops that have waterjet , the price from job shops in the UK is pritty good and they will probably get a good price on materials too.

Most just want a file emailed to them , lots will work from adobe pdfs which can be handy.

Stu

 

[DKMC]

Over the years I've collected a 'pile' parts and pieces to build a plasma table. I sure would be handy and quick to have that capability in house.
But there's this laser shop I use, and I'm confounded at the low prices they quote, the quality of the parts I get from them, and the quick turn around as well. I simply send them a PDF CAD drawing and they do the rest. Because of those factors, and the maintenence aspect and cost of an in-house plasma/laser/waterjet I just cannot justify having one.

 

[DavidR8]

+1 on looking for a local company to do the cutting. I had the top of my welding table waterjet cut because I wanted the corners to be very accurate 90 degrees. 1/2" plate cut was $200. I could barely buy the material for that price.