Waterjet

At Make Santa Fe, our Wazer waterjet allows you to cut intricate shapes and repeatable forms in glass with digital accuracy. This opens new possibilities for stained glass, fused glass, and slumped glass work.

If you’ve ever wanted tighter geometry, clean internal cutouts, repeatable pattern work, or a hybrid workflow that blends traditional craft with digital fabrication, this class is your gateway.

Why Use a Waterjet for Glass?

The waterjet changes what’s possible. It allows you to:

• Cut complex shapes that are difficult by hand
• Cut internal corners without breaking the glass.
• Produce repeatable components for production runs
• Create interlocking glass forms
• Prepare precision blanks for kiln slumping
• Develop detailed inlays for stained glass panels
• Integrate glass into larger sculptural assemblies

This is where traditional craft meets industrial precision.

What You’ll Learn:

This badge class covers everything you need to operate the Wazer safely and independently:

• Waterjet fundamentals and safety
• Glass handling and support techniques
• File setup and vector preparation
• Machine setup and calibration
• Cut sequencing and best practices
• Abrasive management
• Cleanup and maintenance protocol

You’ll leave confident in your ability to translate digital design into precisely cut glass components.

How It Connects to the Glass Studio

The waterjet pairs beautifully with:

• Kiln Firing Badge
• Glass Slumping & Fusing workshops
• Stained glass panel work
• Sculptural fabrication projects

The waterjet expands what’s possible inside the glass studio and beyond.

Please Note:

This class does not include file preparation or design instruction.

Prerequisites:

• Previous experience with vector design software (like Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, or Inkscape).
• Working knowledge of basic design concepts such as creating shapes, using layers, and setting dimensions.
• Basic understanding of file types, importing and exporting files, and ability to navigate windows and MacOS filesystems.

*Prerequisite: WORKSHOP – 2D Drafting for CNC ( or you can bypass this by successfully taking this short drafting test: recreate that in your preferred program and email it to build@makesantafe.org)

Students must be at least 16 years of age.  Minors must have parental permission and signed waiver (ask us).