Waterjet cutter built with a cheap pressure washer

TL;DR

Learn how to build a low-cost water jet cutter using a pressure washer with impressive cutting capabilities.

Transcript

today on Applied Science I'm going to talk about water jet cutters everyone wants one but they're too big and expensive so for a long time I've wanted to try building one out of the low-cost pressure washer and today the results are in so let's take a quick look here we're cutting sixteenth inch thick aluminum and we're cutting at about two inches ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Building a DIY water jet cutter using a pressure washer is a cost-effective alternative to expensive commercial machines.
• 💦 Materials such as aluminum, hardwood, foam, and bread can be easily and effectively cut using the DIY water jet cutter.
• 💄 The modification process involves disassembling the pressure washer, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring proper cooling.
• 😒 The DIY water jet cutter is safe to use for hobby projects, but additional modifications may be required for precise cutting.
• 🚄 Commercial machines have higher cutting speeds, but for hobby projects, the DIY water jet cutter is a practical choice.
• 💦 The DIY water jet cutter utilizes abrasive particles to achieve cutting, with water serving as a convenient medium for particle acceleration.
• 🤩 The cutting head of the DIY water jet cutter involves key components such as a tungsten carbide tube and a ruby orifice.

Questions & Answers

Q: How much does the pressure washer used to build the water jet cutter cost?

The pressure washer used in the DIY project costs $150, significantly cheaper than commercial machines.

Q: What materials can be cut using the DIY water jet cutter?

The water jet cutter can cut materials such as aluminum, hardwood, foam, and even bread.

Q: Is it safe to use a DIY water jet cutter at home?

While the DIY water jet cutter is not as fast as commercial machines, it is safe to use for hobby projects at home.

Q: Can the DIY water jet cutter be used for precise cutting?

With some modifications and a CNC control, the DIY water jet cutter can achieve precise cutting for hobby projects.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The water jet cutter is capable of cutting various materials such as aluminum, hardwood, foam, and bread.

• The pressure washer used to build the water jet cutter costs only $150 compared to commercial machines that cost $150,000.

• The modification process involves disassembling the pressure washer, removing certain parts, and adding an additional cooling fan.