MNiceGuy

I have finally started my Rocketfish and part of what I want to do involves cutting some of the factory panels. While it seemed like a good idea at first, I realized that my metal-cutting ability is pretty bad.

I'm only a couple miles from a pretty sophisticated metal fabrication facility and have been considering them. They can do high volumes or prototypes and have some cool machinery at their disposal.

How much does some simple laser cutting cost? We talking $100 for a radiator cutout or more like $20?

Marin

Why don't you call them and ask how much it is?

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SentryOptic

depends on the complexity of the job. Even the most simple cuts will run you around $30; at least, that's what our local shop charges. Complex cuts on larger panels will cost you upwards of $150.

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billbartuska

I have no idea what the facility near you will charge. Why don't you call them up and ask?

You'll probably have to supply some sort of a dimensions, pattern or template for them to use too. Ask them what they need. They may also need your case disassembled too...ask.

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MNiceGuy

I shot out an e-mail. I had absolutely no idea how much it would cost. If it was way out of line I wasn't going to waste my/their time. Thanks for the help!

iandh

You are best off going to a smaller shop, they will have a machine more suited for case panel cutting. The larger machines are really meant to just slap a big sheet of material on and start burning out parts.

Mom and pop all the way on this one. Try trophy shops, ask if they know anywhere with a cutter, ask around standard machine shops, oftentimes they'll know someone in town that they trade work with that has a small laser cutter.

Armadi110

yeah, as already stated, costs vary considerably mostly depending on what machine is used, my preferable choice would be to use a high pressure water cutter instead of a laser as the laser may cause deformations due to heat depending on materials and cut complexity, also you will may be required to provide a suitable .stl/CAM file for them to use

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iandh

Problem is that if he is worried about cost, waterjet is almost always more expensive than laser by at least 30-40%.

With the thinness of the side panel, there should be little heat warpage; the material literally vaporizes out of place before it can conduct very far.

MCBrown.CA

i had to cut a 10" x 5" hole in the top of my case for some rad fans to vent. i took the piece to a local metal fabricator. theyre cutting it using their waterjet. not going to run me much more than $40. i havent got it back yet so i cant vouch for cleanness of the cut but i'm assuming it will be industrial quality.

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MNiceGuy

I found one shop in where I live but they politely declined me. Plan B is to buy my dad the new jigsaw he needs (so he can stop using the 40yrd old B&D) and "see how it works" but cutting out what I need on this case