Plasma cutting 4130

[mmarien]

I had a lot of the 4130 parts for my project cut with laser and some were water jet cut. The laser cut parts didn't need any post processing other than I took the edge off with a 3M wheel. I asked an engineer friend of mine if the laser cutting vs water jet would cause any problems with the parts and he said it wouldn't. I did have problems drilling and reaming the holes to size. I had the holes cut slightly smaller. I went through a lot of drills. I think the main problem was my lack of experience.

The heat applied by gas welding or bending the parts far out weighs the heat from the laser cutting.