Austin Pricing & File Prep Guide
How Much Does Custom Laser Cutting Cost in Austin?
Published machine bay rates from $90 to $195/hr, clear $150/$350/$600 minimums, and the exact DXF file prep rules our estimators use to return 60-minute quotes.
MOPA / CO2
$90–$95/hr
Press Brake
$125/hr
Fiber Steel
$195/hr
Standard Min
$150
Published Shop Rate Card
2026 Austin & Central Texas Laser Cutting Pricing Breakdown
Unlike local shops that force you to call just to learn their minimums, here is our complete hourly bay schedule and turnaround minimum table.
| Machine Bay | Hourly Rate | Setup / Mold Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2kW Fiber Laser (Passthrough) | $195 / hr | $75 | Mild steel (to 1/2"), 304 SS (to 1/4"), aluminum, 10'–12' bars |
| Pulsed Laser Rust Removal | $165 / hr | $60 | Rust, mill scale, paint & weld-prep stripping |
| CNC Mill & 4'x8' Router | $130 / hr | $60 | 6061 aluminum plates, Baltic birch, HDPE, Delrin |
| CNC Press Brake Forming | $125 / hr | $60 | Precision bends, brackets, Z-clips, enclosures |
| White Metal Spin Casting | $110 / hr | $150 | Pewter & zinc-alloy hardware, emblems, pulls |
| CO2 Passthrough Cutting | $95 / hr | $45 | Cast acrylic signs, wood inlays, leather, 12-ft gaskets |
| Dual MOPA UID Marking | $90 / hr | $45 | Mil-STD-130N DataMatrix, stainless black annealing |
Turnaround Minimums & Rush Multipliers
- Standard (3–5 Business Days): Standard rate • $150 minimum
- Texas Next-Day Morning Dock: +35% rush • $350 minimum
- Same-Day Hot Shot Courier Van: +75% rush • $600 minimum
- Verified Texas Trade Shops: 15% partner discount + Net 15
DXF / CAD File Prep Checklist (Fastest Quote)
- Export 1:1 true scale (state inches or mm in notes)
- Use closed polylines and purge duplicate overlapping vectors
- Convert all fonts/text to outlines or curves before saving DXF/SVG
- Include a STEP (.stp) file if your part includes press-brake bends
Fiber Laser vs. CNC Plasma vs. Waterjet
| Criteria | 2kW Fiber Laser (Hot Shot) | CNC Plasma | Abrasive Waterjet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Tolerance | ±0.005 in | ±0.020–0.040 in | ±0.003–0.005 in |
| Edge & Hole Quality | Clean, minimal dross, bolt-ready small holes | Bevel & slag cleanup required | Satin matte, zero heat-affected zone |
| Speed & Part Cost (≤ 1/2") | Fastest & lowest cost per part | Low hourly, high cleanup labor | Slowest & highest hourly cost |
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical & Delivery Answers
How much does custom laser cutting cost in Austin, TX?
At Hot Shot Laser, machine rates are published openly: $195/hr for 2kW fiber metal cutting ($75 setup), $165/hr for laser rust stripping, $125/hr for press brake bending, $95/hr for CO2 acrylic/wood, and $90/hr for MOPA UID marking. Standard jobs carry a $150 minimum; Next-Day Rush (+35%) carries a $350 minimum; Same-Day Hot Shot (+75%) carries a $600 minimum.
What file format is best for a fast laser cutting quote?
Send a clean 1:1 scale DXF or DWG file with closed contours, no duplicate overlapping lines, and text converted to outlines/curves. For bent parts, include a STEP/STP 3D model.
When should I choose fiber laser cutting vs. waterjet or CNC plasma?
Choose 2kW fiber laser for mild steel up to 1/2 inch, stainless up to 1/4 inch, and aluminum when you want tight ±0.005 in tolerances, crisp holes, and zero plasma slag at much lower hourly cost than waterjet.
60-Minute Engineering Quote
Send CAD & Specs to Our Salado Shop Floor
Every submission routes straight to shop dispatch. We never ghost small prototype runs or rush Austin jobs—expect a firm quote and turnaround commitment within 60 minutes during shop hours.
Active Queue: 2kW Fiber Laser (Austin Rate Card Quote) • Standard or I-35 Rush Delivery