When you’re working with pricey materials, every millimeter counts. One of the best ways to maximize material use is by minimizing the kerf (the amount of material removed from the workpiece during cutting). For precious metals, a kerf size of .020 inches or less is ideal. You’ll want to consider switching from the standard .010 jewel and .030 focusing tube to a finer .007/.020 setup—or even smaller. To avoid clogging, pair these finer setups with an appropriate abrasive.

The type and mesh size of garnet you choose makes all the difference. For example, trying to push an 80-mesh garnet through a .020 focusing tube will likely clog the system and leave you with scrapped parts. Instead, match your garnet’s mesh size to the diameter of your mixing tube and the level of detail your project demands. A finer abrasive combined with a smaller mixing tube will not only prevent clogs but also produce parts with finer details. For applications like this, BARTON 220 HPX® is an excellent choice. It’s a specialty garnet formulated specifically for fine-edge cutting with minimal kerf.

Once your machine is set up and you’ve selected the right abrasive, the next step is nesting. This means arranging your parts on the sheet in a way that maximizes material usage. Proper nesting ensures that you can fit as many parts as possible onto a single sheet, reducing waste and costs. And don’t forget about shared-edge cutting (also called common-line cutting)—it’s a great way to cut more parts in less time.

These tips can make a huge difference in your waterjet cutting process, saving time and material while delivering precise, high-quality results. So, whether you’re crafting intricate jewelry designs or working on larger-scale projects, taking the time to optimize your setup will pay off in the long run.

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