What is a water jet? A water jet is a machine used in machine shops that can cut wood and metal parts with a very high pressure flow of water. The waterjet's history, current uses, capabilities, and even how they affect the environment have grown and changed over the years. In 1853, water jets were used to mine gold in California. This process is called hydraulic mining and became popular during the California Gold Rush and was first used by Edward Matteson near Nevada City. Matteson used a linen tube, but it was replaced with a crinoline tube in the 1860s. Hydraulic mining became more popular than using pans to pan for gold. However, they soon became more popular for machining, although they are still used for mining. “Abrasive water jets were first used in industry around 1980” (How Can Water Cut Through Steel, 2001). The water jet has become popular because it can cut so many different types of materials and is quite economical. The water jet can smooth marble, granite, metal, plastic, stainless steel, wood and even stone. Today the most commonly used water jets are computer controlled and the water can cut at over 900 miles per hour (How Can Water Cut Through Steel, 2001). A water jet is a fairly safe machine to use, because it is dust-free and usually heat-free. Water jets can cut softer materials, but their counterparts, abrasive jets, are used for harder materials. Water pressure for water jets ranges from 20,000 to 55,000 PSI and can be shot through an extremely small hole and used in many different applications. Waterjet cutting is unique and can serve many different purposes. They can cut circuit boards, as the flux is so concentrated that it can cut extremely close to the center of the paper. Journal of Fluid Science and Technology, 8(1), 43-53. How can water cut steel?. (2001, January 18). How things work. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/question553.htmHydraulic Mining. (2014, March 15). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_miningOlsen, J. (2008, October 14). Green cutting with water jets. -TheFabricator.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.thefabricator.com/article/waterjetcutting/green-cutting-with-waterjetsWaterjet Cutting. (n.d.). Water jet cutting. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.mfg.mtu.edu/cyberman/machining/non_trad/waterjet/waterjets.org - The most comprehensive water jet source on the web. (n.d.). waterjets.org - The most comprehensive waterjet resource on the web. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http://www.waterjets.org