CNC Metal Cut Blog
Articles and buyer guides from our engineers on CNC plasma cutting, pipe cutting and beveling, metal sawing, machine care and importing a machine to South America or Africa.
Plasma cutting
- Plasma Cutting Thickness Chart: Amperage vs Plate ThicknessPlasma cutting thickness chart from 45 A to 400 A: good-quality cut and pierce capacity on mild steel, plus how to pick a source for a CNC plasma table.
- Plasma vs Oxy-Fuel Cutting: Which Process Should You Use?Plasma vs oxy-fuel cutting compared: materials, thickness, speed, edge quality and running cost, and when one CNC machine should carry both torches.
- What Is Kerf in Plasma Cutting?Kerf is the width of metal a plasma arc removes. Typical kerf widths from 30 A to 400 A, what changes them, and how to set kerf compensation on a CNC table.
- How to Choose a CNC Plasma Cutting TableHow to choose a CNC plasma cutting table: table size, plasma power, torch height control, frame, water or down-draft table, control and nesting software.
- Oxygen Plasma Cutting: When It Is the Right ChoiceWhen to use oxygen plasma cutting: gas choice by material, why oxygen suits carbon steel but not stainless or aluminum, welding effects and running cost.
- Fiber Laser vs Plasma Cutting: Which Process Fits Your Work?Fiber laser vs plasma cutting compared: edge quality, thickness, heat-affected zone, running cost and material by material, with five questions that decide it.
Pipe and bevels
- Pipe Bevel Types for Welding: V, Y, X and K ExplainedPipe bevel types for welding explained: V, Y, X and K bevels, common angles and land, why saddle joints are hard, and how CNC plasma cuts them.
- CNC Cutting Solutions for Duct and Pipe FabricationWhich CNC machine for duct and pipe work: plasma tables for HVAC duct, tube lasers for thin wall, 5-axis and large pipe plasma machines for bevels.
Operation and maintenance
- Plasma Cutting Consumables: Electrode and Nozzle LifePlasma torch consumables explained: electrode, nozzle, swirl ring and shield, signs of wear, what shortens their life and how many spares to keep.
- CNC Plasma Machine Maintenance ChecklistDaily, weekly, monthly and yearly CNC plasma table maintenance: compressed air, consumables, rails, rack, water table, grounding and common faults.
Metal sawing
- Band Saw vs Circular Cold Saw: Which Should You Buy?Band saw vs circular cold saw compared: capacity, accuracy, speed, kerf, cut face and price, with cost-per-cut advice and typical choices by type of shop.
- Band Saw Blade TPI Guide for Metal CuttingBand saw blade TPI charts for solid bar and tube, blade speed by material, bi-metal vs carbide, and how to break in a new blade on a metal cutting saw.
Buying and importing
- Importing a CNC Plasma Cutter or Metal Saw to South America or AfricaImporting a CNC plasma cutter or band saw to South America or Africa: voltage and frequency by country, Incoterms, containers, documents and spare parts.
- CNC Laser and Plasma Projects Across Latin America: What We LearnedWhat we learned supplying CNC plasma and laser machines in Latin America: grid stability, 60 Hz supply, heat-affected zone, nesting savings and support.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes these articles?
The CNC Metal Cut engineering team, based on the machines we build and the questions buyers ask us.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes. Send your question by WhatsApp or through the contact page and an engineer will reply.
Related machines and articles
Last updated 15 October 2026. Specifications are for standard configurations and can change with options; confirm on your quotation.