Welding Tips and Tricks

Not sure where to post this but i'll try here. Anybody know any reasonable water jet services? I"m trying to get some quotes for what think is an easy job and i'm getting quoted for what I think is expensive. About $100 per piece. It's .050" thick titanium, parts will end up being about 6"x6". Basically i'm laying out a motorcycle chain guide and it need it cut and then i'll either bend it or have it welded. I figured first piece would be more due to program setup and all but $100 per piece for such and easy service and job i think is alot of money. Any ideas guys/gals? Here is a crude drawing, i would make it more detailed or pay somebody for a CAD drawing.

Wont let me upload the PDF or word doc to show you but if you want i can email it to somebody interested.

First, what area of the country/world are you located. And if you were serious I provide AutoCAD or Tekla services from plan/elevation sketches to 3D modeling. If you are looking to provide machine files verify file type and conventions.

Particular reason for choosing water jet process?

Waterjet or laser you do understand there's a setup and programming charge, you don't say how may you need and this is very important. Of course price is dependent on quantity.

A PDF file (or any file) can be stored on Microsoft Onedrive or Google Docs and a link provided will allow us to view it.

Specifying where you're located can be helpful.

I am stationed in Japan but I can ship. I want two made right now out of a single sheet but if all goes well I plan on having more made. I know there is a setup and programming but if they are all the same should t the price go down? I have never had this done so learning process and pricing too

Does that price include the cost of the metal? If the shop you called doesn't usually stock that material then they may also be covering the cost if investing in a full sheet. That price doesn't sound crazy high. You may have to pay it for the first few parts just to make sure they save your program or give you a copy.

No it's me supplying the metal. The cheapest I found was emachineshop and they want $180 for both pieces including return shipping so thats not too terrible.

Could this be accomplished by CNC plasma?

Can i ask a question- i don't mean to hijack the thread.

Since motorcycles have been around for this long, how much are they improved by a titanium chain guide? I am admittedly ignorant: does titanium provide an advantage that justifies the expense?

The cost is so high because it's only two parts. What you're actually paying for is the down time. When they make 5000 of something, the machine is running constantly and making money. Whenever they have to swap the setup for a different batch (and switch it back) there's a period of time the machine is earning them nothing, and you're buying that time.

If these are prototypes, consider pricing a small shop that can laser-cut them for you. We often have small-batch parts done at Alliance Laser in Slidell, LA. Then, if you decide to have a large batch made, the per-unit cost for water-jet will be much more reasonable.

Laser also has the advantage of being able to etch a logo or design into the surface.

Steve S

I'll email alliance and maybe price out some laser jobs. Well with reference to improvement anytime you can take weight off un sprung weight of a suspension it is an improvement. Not much weight but when you start adding up like weight savings of titanium bolts on sprocket, brake caliper, axles, etc that's all Un sprung weight and it does make a differemce