Well I decided to start my own fab shop out of my own garage for now. I'm looking to get some input on what PSA disc everyone uses. I purchased a JET 4200A disc/belt sander and wondering if you guys go with the alumina zirconia for carbide disc/belts. Also, purchased a Wilton 5x8 wet saw with hydraulic feed and want to know whats the best bi-metal blade and how many TPI would be the best belt for cutting various thicknesses. I'll post some pictures up since I have ordered some materials for building manifolds.

Thanks!

 

I have that same Wilton. Did you buy it from a shop in auburn? For blades I use a 14tpi blade which work great and last forever on aluminum but doesnt go so well on stainless. I was able to make my last blade last one manifold,dp,dumptube plus some other stuff I cut. I probably had close to a 70 cuts with it. They keep it in stock at most local graingers and I buy 2-3 at a time when I run out. They recommend using a variable pitch blade but I always wait until the last min and end up picking the 14tpi.

http://m.grainger.com/search/Product...tem?item=4WU14

 

I use a local place who makes me custom blades, I use a 10/14 variable tooth blade. I have had the same one on my saw that sees at least 20-100 cuts a day for over 4 months now. It's some bi metal/ carbide tooth blade. Cuts through stainless like its cutting aluminum. Good blades. Roughly 55-89$ per blade depending on if you go full faced carbide toothed options.

As far as belts go, don't waste your money on A/O belts, just go straight to a full ceramic grain.

Hope this helps, typed from my phone haha
-collin

 

does your company offer shippoing services on those blades ?

 

Good luck with the venture. Hopefully you can get some production pieces going, that is the key.

 

Thanks!

To SlowReaction, yes I got them from Equipment and Sales surplus in Auburn, good prices. Managed to get a 1799.00 disc/belt sander 3phase (converted to 1 phase) for around 700 bucks.

I'll go ahead and try different pitches on the blades and will try the ceramic, I've never had problems using alumina zirconia 80 grit for stainless/inconel/titanium and all but I hear ceramics are better.

I am hoping to get some consistent production work, or make products of my own. I "want" a CNC mill and lathe but that's clearly out of my budget but it's something I'll consider in the future once I hit the break-even mark and actually gain some type of profit.

I have some customers lined up for some fab work but let's see if they follow through. I'll let you guys know how it all turns out.

 

Good Luck. Post some pics of your work if you get a chance!

thanks,
Joshua

 

a machining center may be pricey, but I just came across two cnc bridgeports for 1800 and 3000. I was buying 1" blanchard ground tops for welding tables and the guy had them in the back of his shop. Took me through the book and showed me the simple programs you could do on the machine with just a few lines of code, and it also could be used for simple production parts. My manual mill and lathe are good enough for my small time gig right now, but I can definitely see how much a cnc unit could pay for itself.