[massajamesb]

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt I can't see a difference between laser and plasma in your pictures. I did see a difference when someone sold me some 40mm aluminum offcuts he'd taken with a plasma torch, a total mess, guess it kinda put me off.

That was the point of the pictures on most thinner (less than 3/8 thick) steel, plasma is great for most of us. Thicker than that and you start having edge bevel issues.
Aluminum is not an easy material to cut cleanly, IMO. takes a bit more work than steel.

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt Would that I had a crystal ball, but like most I can't see much farther than the next job so I have no ideas about accuracy or material for cutting Largest laser cut I ever did was an entire prototype A0 injet printer in mild steel, most precise was an SG meter for the antifreeze mixing tank at a car plant, last cut was a bunch of scuba backplates in marine grade stainless. Next job is some decorative pierced iron work and this plasma looks right. Job after that? A complete mystery

Decorative metal work is one thing, but to quote another source, "you are never going to cut watch parts with plasma". I cut chassis and suspension parts, on top of a number of other things, and plasma works just fine for me. But, my parts are acceptable if one is 1/16" smaller or larger than the next one, though they are usually well under that.
Can you accept a tolerance of .05-.1" ? if so, then plasma might just work for you too