20 ga steel

[JerryK]

Is 20 ga steel good for anything plasma cut? example garden art, or is it too thin?

[adbuch]

Is 20 ga steel good for anything plasma cut? example garden art, or is it too thin?

I think it would be perfectly fine for some smaller "garden art" or designs cut to be mounted to wall. You could achieve basically the same effect with less cash outlay for materials. For cutting with Hypertherm 45 xp, 65, 85, etc. you would achieve the best results using the FineCut consumables.
David

[JerryK]

Is 20 ga steel good for anything plasma cut? example garden art, or is it too thin?

I think it would be perfectly fine for some smaller "garden art" or designs cut to be mounted to wall. You could achieve basically the same effect with less cash outlay for materials. For cutting with Hypertherm 45 xp, 65, 85, etc. you would achieve the best results using the FineCut consumables.
David

Thanks for the reply. my table isn't finished yet and with the prices of steel I'm wondering if it is worth it. I found some cheap 20 ga steel. I have a Hypertherm powermax 1000

[adbuch]

Do you mean is it worth it to finish your table? Or is it worth it to buy the "cheap" 20 ga. steel?
David

[JerryK]

Both I guess.

[mdwalker]

I use primarily 16 gauge and heavier, occasionally maybe 18 gauge. 20 gauge will work fine for some small designs. You will have to make the final decision as to whether it is right for you based on the application. For instance, a 12" x 12" design cut in 20 gauge might be too flimsy for one application but the same design might work perfectly out of 20 gauge with a solid backing. Another example, a 24" square cut out of 20 gauge might be fine but a 24" square with a detailed design might be too flimsy to even pick up off of the table without bending. Nothing will replace trial and error experience.

[acourtjester]

For some projects you may look at having a wood backer, Or maybe using the 20 for small parts on layered projects. Most likely you will need to have an Ohmic sensor due to warping.

[TJS]

I just completed a "garden sign" for a customer. They wanted stakes welded to each end of the sign so they can put it in the ground. I used 14ga for this as the design was flimsy anyway. I kept the rods on the edge of the material and welded them right on the edge to prevent warping. Something to think about when stakes or spikes are requested.

[adbuch]

Both I guess.

I would say to get that plasma table finished first, and then worry about steel prices. I would rather pay a little bit for materials and have a working table than be "dead in the water". Once you get that table cutting, you will more than make up for the increased steel expense with just a few customer jobs.
David

[bigcreek]

The thinnest metal I buy is 16 gauge. Most of my art is 12 to 14 gauge.