steel + waterjet = who does it?

[TXFB.INS]

Looking for a vendor that cuts steel, I have already contacted Big Blue Saw since they are listed as a MM here. Are there any others who cut steel?

We have a customer who is looking to get some “budget” steel cut for an RV park they are opening

The specs that we know

• Material: Steel
• Thickness: I would guess 16ga.
  • Exact is unknown, their focus was budget friendly
• Size: 4” x 8”
  • This size was a rough guess it may change depending on size / information on sign
• QTY: 56 +
  • Numbers 1 – 54, then several word signs
• Finish: they want the steel raw to allow it to rust
• Cut: reverse (negative) cut

 

[eahicks]

Home | DallasWaterjet Provides Waterjet Cutting

 

[MikePro]

food for thought. dont just let the steel rust, rapidly oxidize it either before or after install by spraying with a solution of saltwater & hydrogen peroxide.
pretty awesome, and less chance of having bird poop/debris dictate how evenly your panels oxidize outside on their own.

 

[2B]

What is the ratio of salt to water and how much saltwater to hydrogen peroxide any instructions that you found to best apply this? I've heard than vinegar also works to rust steel?

 

[MikePro]

sorry for derailing your quest for a waterjet cutter, but I'm such a nerd with it comes to neat details.
I learned this originally from youtube vids & trial/error, except there's really no error aside from the mess/stink you make.

Can't find our exact formula we used at the moment, but you really can just wing-it: i believe it was something along the lines of 1/4 cup vinegar, tablespoon of salt, and a couple cups of hydrogen peroxide.... and then added water to fillup rest of the spray bottle. Saltwater is enough to rust steel on its own, but vinegar/saltwater accelerates it to the point that you'll start to see it rust in an hour and brilliant rust-coverage overnight.

pics shown, sprayed night before, assembled&installed next day. Patterns come from welded spots and/or handling prior to spraying. If you want it more evenly-rusted, then give a light sanding after initial rusting, and spray again.

 

[James Burke]

Go ahead and lightly sandblast your panels. Some sheet steel is pickled and oiled (P&O) and you may get uneven results otherwise.


JB

 

[James Burke]

If you're placing your signage on limestone caps, make sure you seal the limestone well to avoid streaking.


JB

 

[rjssigns]

Any reason for using a waterjet? If not check for a fab shop with a plasma table or laser. Cost savings should be significant with plasma. Final thought. If the shapes you need aren't that complex it would be a good excuse to buy a hand held plasma cutter, and do them in house. I love that type of work.

 

[binki]

EMJ would do that. EMJ

 

[Pete Moss]

Beautiful signs, I love the contrast of rust and polished/ new. Very sharp.

 

[bjt140]

We can laser cut steel in our shop. If youd like to pm me and send the pattern over I can run it through our estimator to get you a price. Only downside may be the shipping cost.