There are likely many options for plasma cutting services near you if you live in even a moderate size city or town.
But one thing you should consider if you are in need of plasma cutting services near you on a regular basis is actually purchasing a plasma cutter yourself.
Plasma Cutter Advancements
In the past plasma cutters were very large and expensive, and there are certainly commercial units that still are.
This put them out of reach for most people if they only needed occasional plasma cutting services.
In recent years plasma cutting machines have gotten much smaller, easier to operate, and much less expensive than ever before.
You might be surprised that you can get a handheld plasma cutter for less than $300 that will clean cut up to 1/2” thick steel.
Better to Own a Plasma Cutter?
If you are looking to make simple cuts then a handheld unit can be a good choice and will pay for itself in a short period of time.
Modern handheld units have also gotten pretty small these days, so they do not require too much storage space.
Besides the cost saving of the plasma cutting itself, you will also save time and effort transporting the material to cut to and from the plasma cutting service even if it is near you.
If you need more than simple plasma cutting services such as curves or more intricate designs then you still have options available to you.
More Complex Cutting Requirements
More advanced plasma cutting will likely be done using a CNC plasma table.
Just like handheld plasma cutters, CNC plasma tables have also come down in price in recent years.
If you have the space, a CNC plasma table might be an option for you.
I know you are probably thinking, “Hey, aren’t CNC plasma tables very expensive?”
Well, you might be surprised at how affordable a CNC plasma table has become.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t say they are cheap, but they are way more affordable than in the past.
This price does vary widely, but you can get a CNC plasma table for under $5,000 these days.
Conclusion
There’s certainly nothing wrong with using a plasma cutter near you, but it is always good to be aware of your options.
If you are interested in more information, please check out our guides and information on handheld plasma cutter and CNC plasma tables.
