DanMerrick
Plastic
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2018
I make hammers for rock climbers out of 1.25" 4140 square stock. This is a small market with lots of hand work. There are cheaper hammers but people seem to like what I do. I also make the handles and the various other parts.
I'm considering finding somebody to do the rough cuts. For the head, I cut the stock to length, drill some holes and then cut the shape on a band saw. Right now I make four band saw cuts, three have a 6" radius and one has a 2" radius. Even with radius jigs and auto feed, doing this on a band saw is time consuming and sometimes blows the part when the blade wanders. There has to be a better way.
I'm thinking of looking for a shop that can cut these - maybe with a waterjet. I'd prefer to not harden the steel with a flame cut so they are easier to grind, chamfer and finish before I harden and temper. Again, small lots. Maybe 25 or 50 at a time. Maybe even 100 if the pricing works out.
If anybody has any helpful thoughts about the best way to do this, I'd appreciate hearing them.
Thanks in advance.
I'm considering finding somebody to do the rough cuts. For the head, I cut the stock to length, drill some holes and then cut the shape on a band saw. Right now I make four band saw cuts, three have a 6" radius and one has a 2" radius. Even with radius jigs and auto feed, doing this on a band saw is time consuming and sometimes blows the part when the blade wanders. There has to be a better way.
I'm thinking of looking for a shop that can cut these - maybe with a waterjet. I'd prefer to not harden the steel with a flame cut so they are easier to grind, chamfer and finish before I harden and temper. Again, small lots. Maybe 25 or 50 at a time. Maybe even 100 if the pricing works out.
If anybody has any helpful thoughts about the best way to do this, I'd appreciate hearing them.
Thanks in advance.