Do You Need The Precision of Laser Cutting?
Maybe not – a neighbor just asked me:
“I am in need of a 1/4 plate of cast iron measuring about 30” x 24” for a fire back in my fire pit (to radiate heat) Do you know someone locally that might carry this or could cut to size?”
My answer: Try to find a local metal fabricator with a plasma cutting table. The problem will be finding someone who will do a small job like that. You might have to be flexible on turn around time, allowing them to “fit it in” between their higher production jobs. FYI – you don’t want cast, you want “plate” metal. Cast metal is just that, casted to a specific size in a mold and no one cuts, or provides that. You want just plain old carbon steel plate (most common is A36)
ALSO – fire will burn through / rust through any metal. I would have them cut it out of 3/8″ or 1/2″ would be even better. The material cost will be the least expensive part of this job. Many shops also have minimum order sizes ranging from $100 to $300 – hopefully you can find one that will work with you. Plasma cutters are fairly common these days and the “edge quality” has really improved. Ask the about edge quality. While you can’t expect baby butt smooth (like we get on our lasers) – you also don’t want it to look like they cut it with a oxy/acetylene torch. So steer clear of oxy/acetylene cutting tables, or anyone offering to cut it by hand with a torch, unless you don’t care if it has ragged edges… We only do laser cutting. But you do not need that kind of precision.
High definition” plasma cutting tables are the latest and greatest. But any plasma cutter should meet your needs. Most “metal fabrication” shops in Texas have added a plasma cutting table to their service offerings, you can find a metal fabricator on every corner in Houston!
