Hello, and some questions

[Ace Sewer]

Hi, brand new here, and to machining in general.

I own and operate a sewer and drain cleaning business. Much of our work is done with high pressure water jetters. A key component in any jetter is the nozzle. I've been less than thrilled with the standard offerings from nozzle mfrs in the sewer cleaning industry, and disappointed in the level of service they provide in terms of custom drillings and small lots.

I'm looking for either advice on purchasing equipment to make my own nozzles, or for someone with appropriate equipment who is interested in making some prototypes for me to test and refine until we get to something saleable. I have little interest in being a nozzle mfr, but as I am picky about my equipment and not in a position to order in quantities such that a nozzle mfr will work with me I am being forced into it to get the nozzles I want.

I can get what I want for my larger machines from commercial suppliers. I'm interested in nozzles for my small machines. These are small pieces, typically 1/4" to 1" dia, less that 1" long. Bullet or spherical shape, with a rounded nose, 1/8" npt female threads at the back, threads recessed as much as possible into the nozzle. Typically stainless steel, though brass works for the small machines. The bodies should not be difficult to make. The drilling for the jets is more difficult. There has to be enough meat in the body to get a good l/d so it makes a good stream, and the holes are very small... about .017", and the angle of the holes to the body is important, and there must be a groove or a countersink for each jet in the body such that the port for the jet exits the body perpendicular to the surface it is dilled in (to maintain a coherent jet of water...probably makes drilling it easier too).

If anyone is interested in discussing it, let me know.

If not, any advice on an appropriate machine(s) to make something like this is greatly apprciated. I'm thinking a small machine like those used in training would be perfect. I'd need to turn the body and drill and thread the rear, and then drill ports for the jets, one dead center at the front, several radially angled towards the back. If there is any response I'll try to make and post a drawing, but for now think of a bullet with a little hole at the tip, and several holes around the circumference angled back at the rear.

[brunog]

Ace,
There are different avenues you can take to make your own nozzles:

My first suggestion would be to put the design you have in mind on paper and work with a local machine shop, find someone that has experience in machining small items. If you are not familiar with geometrical and dimensional tolerancing pinpoint the critical areas he needs to be carefull with. For example: nozzle hole size, angle, hole pattern...
The whole process might not be cheap because of trial and error and small runs. however it can be less money than buying your own machinery and tools. Because prototypes will be of limited use, consider using cold rolled steel for example to reduce cost until you are fixed with a design. Sometimes you can modify a part that's a stock item somewhere and modify it, nozzles are used for different applications (heating, misting,spaying) you'd be surprised would you can find already on the market.

My second suggestion is to buy your own machinery and tooling that goes with it. This avenue can be interesting only if you have future use for it. In many cases you might be able to use it for equipment repairs and maintenance. The purchase can sometimes pay for itself in the long run. In your case I would suggest a 16" swing X 40" center lathe, and a small foot print mill with tiltable head (add an indexing table for precise hole positons) and all the tooling. You have to consider that tooling cost will go up to about the same as machinery cost.

IMHO I would not consider CNC unless you are considering making large quantities.

Best regards

Bruno

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Look for a local EDM shop (sinker rather than wire). They should be able to burn in those small dia. deep holes.

They can use hollow tubular electrodes that flush fluid thru them. We did that 20 years ago, should still be available. Probably new and improved methodology.

A tilting/rotating dividing head should provide angle and spacing capability.

Dick Z