If this is going to become a small business for you- I’ve been impressed with the ability of some of the smaller “hobbiest” plasma cutters. I’ve seen several options for decent machines under $9,000
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What Machine will Cut 1/4 Steel Shapes?
- Thread starter kaylaindy
- Start date
Yes, I have always wanted to make a target business....not sure if I can do it. I would pay $9000 for a plasma cutter. I can save that much up. I’ll look into those. Thanks! -Nate
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Plasma cam is pretty easy to use, I have no background in computers but I’ve been able to get by. It’s fun to turn your designs into reality. Not sure how much they cost these days, but if you go for it ask them about the upgrades. You for sure want advanced height control. It costs more but totally worth it. Hypertherm powermax is a great choice for the plasma cutter. Here’s some stuff I cut. You will be able to make targets with ease. They have a good system for support at Plasma cam too and you can call them for help. Totally amazing machines...go for it Nate!! 
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I thought I would also mention. It makes a difference how big your cut outs are also. I can cut out 5th scale silhouette targets ok by hand with my plasma cutter. But the 10th like air gun targets get tough. I can't make the turns fast enough. So they have to be cleaned up in the edges. Another example of big targets are these I cut out.
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/attempt-to-make-some-targets-for-range/
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/attempt-to-make-some-targets-for-range/
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Awesome, thanks for the thread link. Cool shapes.
I was able to hook up with a CNC laser guy. Airgun Targets coming soon! -Nate
I was able to hook up with a CNC laser guy. Airgun Targets coming soon! -Nate
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What's the most cost-effective way for me to cut 1/4" steel without wanting to tear all my hair out?
I got myself an old MM130, and I just realized I only have an angle grinder!
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Small CNC plasma tables with dishware included start at $1500.00, a decent plasma cutter is less than $1000.00.
$2500.00 isn't bad to open the doors.
$2500.00 isn't bad to open the doors.
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Unless you plan on turning this into a business just get a plasma cutter. A good laser is 5 figures plus. A plasma cutter to cut 1/4” is less than a $1000.
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A cheap cad program and use sendcutsend or another cutting service.
If you plan to weld to them ask them what they can do to clean the metal suitably well for welding.
If you plan to weld to them ask them what they can do to clean the metal suitably well for welding.
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In my area, the going rate for plasma cutting is about $150/hr. I am a master welder/fabricator (30 yrs) and I am Foreman in the shop I work for. If you decide to have it done in a fab shop, you'll save some money if you bring a thumb drive that's already loaded with your cut-outs in .dwg format. Unfortunately you'd have to find a friend with the software to draw the parts.
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I bought
I bought this for $8k....still need to unbox it. https://www.langmuirsystems.com/xr?...j1pcshZztCBL6hgdvU1xhye0pqTSFQwRoCB7QQAvD_BwE
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ThomasT
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- Apr 25, 2021
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Hello @kaylaindy
Waterjet cutting or Plasma cutting is not expensive today and many shops will do small projects. I cannot speak for @davelarson ( a forum member ) but he does this kind of work in his shop everyday and you might send him a PM
ThomasT
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Cleaning up little things, like knock over targets would be,,,, well mostly.
Tumbling is probably what people will do.
But yeah modern cutting means do not leave much of a bad edge on stuff, i am geriatric old so those things did not exist when i was young.
Tumbling you could do in a little cement mixer, as long as it can tumble the items and them banging together will remove the burr
Mind you it will be SOB noisy
Tumbling is probably what people will do.
But yeah modern cutting means do not leave much of a bad edge on stuff, i am geriatric old so those things did not exist when i was young.
Tumbling you could do in a little cement mixer, as long as it can tumble the items and them banging together will remove the burr
Mind you it will be SOB noisy
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Let someone else buy, maintain, and store the equipment. Until you're in full-scale production you can get a lot of work from places like sendcutsend and their competitors for surprisingly little (as in sometimes less than I could buy the raw material for). Cleanup is almost non-existent with laser or waterjet unless you want machined edges. If I were starting a business, this is how I'd start and invest in my own equipment only if the customers materialized.
GsT
GsT
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Check e- bay, there are several advertisers that advertise custom work. And, you might find a design you like in their inventory. I have bought round targets, 1/2 inch A500 for high power KYL targets, for a lot less than I could do it.
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I just bought a Vevor $178.00 50A plasma cutter for some boiler work in a field but thus sucker has a 100% duty cycle with 3/16 steel, a robotic arm would keep the setup under $2k with a $250.00 table.
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