---
title: "Plasma Cutting Services | Fast, Cost-Effective Thick Steel | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for plasma-cut parts from independent machine shops. Fast, low-cost profile cutting of steel, stainless, and aluminum plate. Upload a drawing."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/plasma-cutting
---

# Plasma cutting from independent machine shops

An ionized gas arc cuts conductive metal plate fast and cheaply, the best value on medium-to-thick steel, stainless, and aluminum. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops set up for plasma profile cutting.

## Plasma cutting shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops that profile-cut plate on CNC plasma tables. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.

[Browse all plasma cutting shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=Plasma%20cutting)

## Plate our plasma shops cut

Plasma cuts electrically conductive metals only. Common plate is below; it cannot cut plastics, wood, glass, or composites, which need laser or waterjet.

- [Carbon steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/carbon-steel.md) -- A36 · 1018 · to ~2 in
- [Stainless steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/stainless-steel.md) -- 304 · 316
- [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md) -- 5052 · 6061

## Tolerances

| Feature | With drawing | No callout |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Profile (conventional plasma) | ±0.03 in | Shop standard |
| Profile (HD plasma) | ±0.01 in | Shop standard |
| Cut edge squareness | 2-5° bevel typical | As-cut |
| Hole diameter | ±0.02 in | As-cut, drill for tighter |

Plasma runs looser than laser or waterjet. Expect a heat-affected zone and a slight edge bevel; high-definition (HD) plasma tightens both. If you need laser-grade edges or a square wall, call it out and shops will quote the right process.

## What Makes a Good RFQ

| Instead of | Send |
| --- | --- |
| "Cut this plate, need a quote" | "A36 steel, 1/2 in plate, profile per DXF, qty 25" |
| "Some holes in it" | "⌀0.53 holes, ±0.02, drill if plasma cannot hold it" |
| "Clean edges" | "HD plasma or laser edge on the visible face, dross removed" |

Send a flat DXF or DWG with material and thickness. Say where the edge shows and whether holes are drilled or plasma-cut; that sets the process and the price.

## Industries Served

- Heavy equipment
- Structural / fabrication
- Agriculture
- Trailers & transport
- Energy & oil field
- Mining
- Industrial / OEM
- Signage & art

Plasma shops on OpenSpindle profile-cut brackets, gussets, base plates, and weldment blanks where thick steel and low cost matter more than a laser-grade edge.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### When should I use plasma instead of laser or waterjet?

Plasma is the cheapest, fastest way to profile-cut medium-to-thick conductive plate, roughly 1/4 in and up. Laser gives a cleaner, more precise edge on thinner material; waterjet holds tight tolerances with no heat but runs slower and costs more on thick steel. For structural steel blanks and weldment parts, plasma usually wins on price.

### What materials can plasma cut?

Only electrically conductive metals: carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are the most common. It cannot cut plastics, wood, glass, or composites. Those need laser or waterjet.

### How thick can plasma cut?

Production plasma commonly cuts steel up to about 1 to 2 in, with heavier machines going thicker. Thin sheet under about 1/8 in is often better on a laser for edge quality.

### What is high-definition (HD) plasma?

HD plasma uses a tightly constricted arc for a narrower kerf, a squarer edge, and tighter tolerances than conventional plasma, closer to laser quality on medium plate. Ask for HD when edge quality matters.

### How accurate is plasma cutting?

Conventional plasma holds about ±0.03 in on the profile; HD plasma gets to roughly ±0.01 in. Expect a heat-affected zone and a slight edge bevel. If you need tighter, laser or waterjet is the better fit.

### Can plasma-cut parts be welded and finished afterward?

Yes. Plasma blanks are made for welding into fabrications. Many plasma shops also weld, form on a press brake, and powder coat, so ask for the downstream work in the same quote.

### What file formats should I send?

A flat DXF or DWG of the profile is ideal. Include material, plate thickness, quantity, hole callouts and tolerances, and note any edge or finish requirement.

## Other Capabilities

- [Waterjet Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/waterjet-cutting.md)
- [Laser Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/laser-cutting.md)
- [Sheet Metal & Press Brake](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sheet-metal-fabrication.md)
- [Welding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/welding.md)
- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md)
- [Powder Coating](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=Powder%20coating)

## Design Notes That Move Your Price

Not a definition of plasma cutting. The design choices that move your price and lead time.

- **Thickness picks the process:** Under about 1/8 in, laser gives a better edge for similar money. From 1/4 in up, plasma is faster and cheaper than laser or waterjet. Match the process to your plate.
- **Small holes fight the arc:** Plasma struggles to hold round holes smaller than about 1.5x the plate thickness. Size holes generously, or plan to drill the tight ones as a secondary op.
- **Leave stock for a machined edge:** The cut edge has a heat-affected zone and a slight bevel. If a face gets machined or bolted flat, leave a little stock so the shop can clean it up.
- **Nest to cut scrap cost:** Plasma is priced on cut length and plate used. Simple outlines that nest tightly on standard plate cut cheaper than parts that waste material between them.

## Get plasma cutting quotes

Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent plasma cutting shops.