[Greg Needel]

The answer is yes, but there are some limitations which as others have pointed out have to do with the cut quality you can get from your machine. As a general example: Would I cut pockets and location holes with a plasma, yes. Would I build an integrated gearbox in a chassis, no.


The limitations I think it is important to be aware of are bending. It is extremely hard to bend accurate parts with a cheap break, and this can be as much as of a limitation as the cutting machine. The method I prefer when using a plasma is to cut location based features on the flat plates and add simple flanges for strength, which geometrically don't need to be as accurate.

A cnc Plasma cutter is an extremely valuable tool for a team to have as it can significantly reduce time and increase accuracy, you just need to learn the limitations of which ever machine you get, and make sure to experiment before the build season to learn what those limitations are.