part cutters - shop owners

hey i was just wondering what kinda machines do most shops use to make 1 off parts. i been looking into laser, waterjet and cnc plasma and was wondering whats everybodys opinions on each machine. seems like the laser is gona be way outta range and maybe even the water jet but how good are the cnc plasma/ routers?

I've had stuff cut out on a waterjet at a tile manufacturing shop. Helps ot know the owners, but the emplyess thought it was cool. There are also places that only do cnc laser cutting, and have pretty decent prices. You just send them a template, and the give you a quote.

oh i know that im talking about buying my own machine trying to get a a shop started

I was just looking at CNC Plasma's. I just googled it and it brought up a bunch of places. One place had kits for around 5-8 grand that looked pretty cool.

well unless you are lookin to spend 70k+ you might be able to find a small cnc plasma table for under 10g used.

I built a cnc plasma table. They are not that complicated. If you want REAL cheap, and low mass production, try a pantograph cutter. IM me if you want more info on either. I have done all my homework on both, and built both.

Edited: 5/11/2006 8:21:29 PM by slammed x on air

ya the water jet i was lookin at was like 120,000 and the laser was like 160,000 and the cnc was under 10 grand been lookin at the torchmate systems and a couple others looking at a 2x2- 4x4 table maybe even a 4x8