would the artcut m40 also be basically the same thing? I am getting confused because many of these look the same to me and come from the same place, well to me anyways, china and all are simular in price? LOL. The artsign. As for the thickness, 2 3/4 would be more then thick enough. That is Presume you are telling me correctly, that I can place a 2 3/4" piece in there and still be able to engrave! 1" thick is about the thickest I would need on a regular basis, and the other items would be 1/16 inch thick, and those I would like to be able to cut, both styrene and balsa/bass wood, or veneers. Thanks. Where did you get your artsign from? Thanks. Jody