Cutting Out The Wall The Easy Way

[steve wolverton]

Waterjetting and CNC'ing teardrop profiles? Why is that kind of precision needed, or is it for convenience?

Steve

[Arne]

It would certainly be a lot easier on the brain... once set up to the right outline, just push a button and get nice clean edges needing no/little sanding...

It could be done by hand, but I guess it's 'why bother' if a machine can do a better job of it.. and save you a lot of time and effort.. (and tennis elbow from sanding).

[steve wolverton]

If I had the money I might consider it. I guess that's why it never entered into my little brain.

[halfdome, Danny]

Isn't a water jet basically sand propelled by water? Danny

[Jiminsav]

Danny, no, in some cases they do add a fine grit to the water, but most jobs are cut with just straight water, @50,000 PSI..

Steve, I did it because I just suck at cutting along a line, and I don't have top notch tools to even attempt it, so it wasn't convenience so much as a God send to me.

as for water logged wood, nope, the wood is not soaked in the water from the jet, it's raised up, and what does get wet don't stay wet for long.

[Arne]

The part that appeals to me is I cut using a jig saw (have no rounter), so keeping the cut exactly perpendicular to the side is iffy. And having to sand it freehand is iffier still... the water jet would just make a great perpendicular surface to glue the roof to.

[benzu]

It's convenience for me, I know more about designing on a computer then on paper, even though I went to school for graphic design. Everything is so much more accurate. My layout is to scale and every piece that I rout matches the last. The time is probably cut in half, I guessing. I haven't started mine yet, my wife and I will be starting hopefully in a month from now.

mike

[halfdome, Danny]

The part that appeals to me is I cut using a jig saw (have no rounter), so keeping the cut exactly perpendicular to the side is iffy. And having to sand it freehand is iffier still... the water jet would just make a great perpendicular surface to glue the roof to.

Arne, There's nothing wrong with cutting with a jig saw as long as you use a new blade & it's set at zero/90 deg. I use the blades that have a down cut and finish up sanding with a belt sander held up to the edge to sand to the line. Were not making airplanes for Boeing just teardrop trailers. Danny

[angib]

One of the nice things with CNC is that there's no reason not to add any detail you want. Here's a joint for water jet cutting a 10ft side from 8x4ft sheets:



This was for an externally-framed woody like a Slumbercoach, where one of the pieces of framing went over the joint to hide it, though I think it would look nice enough to leave visible. I should stress that this is an alignment feature and needs a backing block or butt strap behind it - the 'jigsaw' pieces aren't strong enough to hold it together (probably).

Andrew

[Arne]

Danny, I know you are right. I just like the idea of getting a much glued surface as possible. If I'm off by just a couple of degrees I can lose a lot of wood to wood contact area.