fohat and friends
at this point I am desperate. Have not been able to find metal shops locally that can cut plates for me. I have a bunch of intended projects to do over the next few years, and I expect to do cutting of various keyboard plates or casings (Model F and others, so the standard is 1.5mm thickness steel). Sometimes I need to cut holes for switches and stabs and I also expect to cut a lot of, a lot of notches for switch modding. I don't have to be very exact and don't consider it important to have nice finish. I am also budgeting up to $200 on tools and $50 more on protective equipment. (I only have low end gloves, clamps and glasses / face mask now.)
What should I go for and what should I start reading up and research on? I originally thought that I could buy a low end plasma cutter, until further research told me that I would have to buy a lot of protective equipment, compressed air, and other things I simply am not aware of.