Budget-friendly garage tables meet heavy-duty industrial pipe and plate cutting machines. Two brands separated by a massive gap in price, capability, and intended audience.
BurnTables is for hobbyists exploring CNC plasma at the lowest possible cost ($1,800-$6,000). Hornet Cutting Systems is for industrial fabricators who need heavy-duty plate cutting, pipe cutting capability, and tables up to 5x20 ($15,000-$100,000+). Most buyers comparing these two actually need something in between — a mid-tier table from brands like Arclight Dynamics or Torchmate.
| Factor | BurnTables | Hornet Cutting Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $1,800 – $6,000 | $15,000 – $100,000+ |
| Table Sizes | 2x2, 2x4, 4x4, 4x8 | 4x8, 5x10, 5x20, custom |
| Frame Construction | Bolt-together steel tube frame | Heavy-duty industrial gantry, reinforced steel |
| THC Included | Optional add-on ($300-$600) | Yes — standard on all models |
| Software | BurnTables proprietary + Mach3 | Hornet proprietary CNC + ProNest compatible |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 2 years standard |
| Best For | Hobbyists, beginners, garage shops | Industrial fabrication, pipe cutting, heavy plate |
BurnTables uses lightweight bolt-together frames designed for easy shipping and DIY assembly in a home garage. Hornet Cutting Systems builds industrial gantries designed to carry heavy plasma sources and withstand the demands of cutting thick plate in commercial environments. The Hornet frame can weigh 5-10x more than a BurnTables frame of similar cutting area. For pipe cutting applications, Hornet integrates rotary axes that BurnTables does not offer at all.
BurnTables includes beginner-friendly software that gets hobbyists cutting quickly with minimal learning curve. Hornet uses their own proprietary CNC controller with touchscreen operation and compatibility with Hypertherm ProNest nesting software for production optimization. The software reflects the market: BurnTables prioritizes simplicity, Hornet prioritizes production efficiency.
BurnTables produces acceptable cuts on thin mild steel (14-gauge to 3/8 inch) for hobby projects. Hornet tables handle thick plate (1 inch and above) with consistency and also offer pipe and tube cutting that BurnTables simply cannot do. If your work involves structural steel, pipe fabrication, or heavy plate, Hornet is the only option. If you make metal art and signs from thin sheet, BurnTables works.
BurnTables is the value champion for entry-level CNC plasma — nothing else gets you cutting for less. Hornet is expensive but purpose-built for industrial applications where throughput and capability matter more than purchase price. Most buyers researching both brands should look at mid-tier alternatives ($8,000-$30,000) that offer professional quality without industrial pricing.
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No, BurnTables does not offer pipe or tube cutting capability. Hornet Cutting Systems is one of the few manufacturers that provides integrated pipe cutting rotary attachments for their CNC plasma tables. If pipe cutting is part of your work, Hornet is the appropriate choice. BurnTables is limited to flat plate cutting only.
For most small shops, yes. Hornet Cutting Systems is designed for industrial fabrication environments — oil and gas, structural steel, shipbuilding. Their smallest tables start at 4x8 and $15,000. Small shops doing general fabrication get better value from mid-tier brands like Arclight Dynamics or Torchmate that offer professional quality at lower prices.
At the entry level, you could buy 8-15 complete BurnTables setups for the price of one mid-range Hornet system. A BurnTables 2x2 starter kit runs about $1,800, while a Hornet 4x8 starts around $20,000. This illustrates how different the target markets are — BurnTables is a hobby tool, Hornet is a production investment.
Hornet Cutting Systems provides industrial-level support including on-site installation, operator training, and service contracts. BurnTables offers email and phone support appropriate for their hobby market. The support difference reflects the price difference — Hornet customers paying $50,000+ receive a fundamentally different service experience than BurnTables customers paying $2,000.
Several brands fill the $8,000-$30,000 gap: Arclight Dynamics offers precision tables with heavy frames, Torchmate (Lincoln Electric) provides a range from educational to industrial, and ShopSabre delivers servo-driven performance. These mid-tier options give you professional production quality without the industrial price tag of Hornet.
Learn more about each manufacturer: