Plasma Cutter, $10,000

toolking.com/hobart/view.asp?id=4276

Laser Cutter, $19,900

epiloglaser.com/mini2412.htm

It’s more difficult to use than a laser cutter, but there’s CAD-driven high-powered lasers cut plastic, paper, and a big advantage: it cuts metal or anything that conducts wood in thicknesses up to about 2 inch with very high electricity. Think of it as a robotic oxy torch. You can be precision. For kicks, you can write your name on toast or up and running for about 10K. Make your own parts for etch your face on an eggplant. They’re also good for cut-that car restoration project or build custom aluminum ting rubber stamps. Poor maker’s alternative: Print the chandeliers. Poor maker’s alternative: An oxy torch and patterns with your inkjet printer and cut them out with a very steady hand or a high-quality bandsaw and lots of a scroll saw. Not as accurate or as fast, but a workable patience. workaround.

Water Jet,
$100,000
omax.com

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