Waterjeting

[blacklab]

I just finished getting all the parts to start a new 2011 open build. Has anyone ever tried to waterjet a 2011 slide? I was thinking insted of the normal lightning cuts I'd like to have a detailed wolf's head cut into the slide. I don't think a CNC could do it. I seen some rather detailed designs done with a waterjet, but couldn't find anyone who does it to slides. Is this possible, could the detailed cuts take the abuse? Or should I just keep thinking inside the box and go with the normal cuts?

[blacklab]

I was thinking something like one of these. Maybe 2 per side.

[echotango]

I would think the sharp edges and points would be an easy place for a slide to start cracking.

[blacklab]

I would think the sharp edges and points would be an easy place for a slide to start cracking.

Maybe that's why I never seen it done before.

[PatriotMRD]

Sharp edges/corners create stress points. Stress points create cracks.

[HDGoose]

I would think the sharp edges and points would be an easy place for a slide to start cracking.

Those sharp corners would definitely allow cracks to start. Also, a water jet can cut very hard material but can't pierce hard materials cleanly so each of the areas to be cut out would need a small access hole drilled to create a starting point for the jet. Scale that artwork down to fit on a slide and the access holes would have to be tiny.

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Edited August 1, 2016 by HDGoose

[bjones6686]

Maybe talk to Glenn at Lone Star Innovations about doing some fancy 3D panel cuts to your slide. his work is not the normal slide lightening cuts you'll see on everyone else's guns. And they seem to be done in areas of the slide so you don't have to work about cracking the slide.

[PrimaryBruce]

Water jet isn't going to give you nice quality cuts. If you want 100% crisp corners - it needs to be EDM'd, and likely will crack with not much use.

We can do any cuts you'd like via CNC mill though. Check us out in our industry forum.

[Mark Meyers]

Another vote for Glenn at Lone Star

[bigboy69]

Or if you do that design, don't go all the way through.

[blacklab]

Well, I guess I'll stop thinking outside the box. It's not the first bad idea I had and I'm sure it's not going to be the last.

[warpspeed]

Are you looking to cut all the way through ? Why not just have them laser engraved ?

[blacklab]

Are you looking to cut all the way through ? Why not just have them laser engraved ?

Yes I wanted to go all the way through. I thought instead of normal cuts, it would be nice to do something original. But it looks like there is a reason no one ever did something like that.