Laser Cutter

[sc.crab]

I'm looking for something to cut thin metal parts on. I really don't want to use my shopbot for this so I was looking for some advice on one.
I'm looking at the pros and cons on this, I only have about $4500.00 that I could spend on one so I really don't know if I could even get a machine for that price I know nothing about them so that's why I'm asking,

[kbraat]

I really doubt you can get a metal cutting laser for this price range. This is more the lower range for the CO2 laser cutters and engravers that will not touch metal.

Depending on the application, the thin metal could be cut with one of the pressure feet, or by adhering to a sheet of spoil material. You will only really have aluminum cut in this manner on a Shopbot easily.

I would recommend a trip to a local laser cutter if it is a small job series to run and let them do the work for you.

[genek]

They make a small plasma cutter like the shop bot. you might find one used or a small new one for that range.