Steel Lazer Cutting

[1972_911t]

Anyone know where I can get a quite complex shape cut in some sheet steel? Due to the complexity of the shape im presuming it will have to be lazer or plasma cut.

Thanks Steve

[davidppp]

Hello, Steve.

I'll bet that Chris, 9fetuhoe can get this done.

But, if its not very thick, and a one-off, normal fabricator method would be to drill saw and grind to shape..waht thickness is it?

Kind regards
David

[1972_911t]

Hi David

Its for the mount we discussed on pelican, interestingly enough I just found a thread on there where they did the exact same thing to fit a 6 speed. So im thinking around 3mm?



I was planning on going up to the next bolt hole though which makes the shape a bit more difficult or do you think thats an overkill?

The idea of using an insert for the seal and guide is coming on a treat by the way, I had the original section underneath the mount turned down on a laith now all I need to do is get the case bored to take that section and the jobs a good un!

Thanks Steve

[davidppp]

Hello, Steve.

3mm will be fine for the set up in the picture but I might also do as you would and use 2 more studs to locate..then 2mm will be fine IMHO>

Thinner means more flexible and that can be good for longevity..

Easily done with an angle grinder drill ( always centre punch) and welding lamp..

Or even mig..

Kind regards
David

[Barry]

For this type of thing the laser route has a lot going for it: assuming you can CAD up the design first, the cutting is very cheap, it would save having to buy a whole sheet of steel (they usually supply it), and they can accurately cut the holes for you as well, with pretty accurate centres. If you can't CAD it, most people can scan an image and clean it up: obviously there is an additional cost to this. This means that you could fiddle around with a template, get it right, then use that to get the info to the cutters.

I've done an awful lot of cutting of plate with a nine inch grinder over the years, but next time (especially if it needs to look good), I would get it laser or plasma cut.

Look under 'Profile Cutting' in the Yellow Pages. My local one has two companies within 15 miles of me, and I'm out in the sticks .

[shambly]

If you're not in a hurry and want more than one made (one on its own is expensive), http://www.emachineshop.com is who i'd recommend.

I've had several parts made by them now, both laser cut steel and T6061 ally.

Just draw the part on your PC, choose the material, email the file, and wait for the part...

[davidppp]

Hello, Barry.

Only 9 inches?....

In my day we made watch movement with 12 inch petrol cutters...

But, you tell the young leds, they don't believ ya..(Cont)..

Seriously, its all true about laser cutting, its great.. but the chances of getting all the shapes correct first time are not great..you will end up fettleing anyway, because the gear case was never designed to have a sheet of flat metal under the nuts on the studs., and you have to fiddle with the junction between the new diaphragm and the old mount..I'd reckon to make the whole thing in about a morning with several trial fits..

If you need a mount to cut up I am sure I'll have one..

Kind regards
David

[Barry]

[fetuhoe]

If you have a CAD file preferably dxf as David says I do have a local laser cutting guy that is very cost effective.

If you only have a cardboard template we have a Plasma Cutter that will deal with 3mm plate.

Send me a pm if we can help.

[1972_911t]

Ive got this sorted now, looks like david was right a lazer cutter was a bit ott, in the end I did it with a recpricating saw and a grinder, took me about 2 hours.





Steve