Stainless steel parts we cut
Stainless steel is the choice when parts need to resist corrosion and look good doing it. Shug Fabrication & Design laser cuts stainless steel sheet up to 3 mm thick at our Mooroolbark workshop in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. From a single prototype to a repeat order of panels or brackets, we’ll cut your drawing quickly and accurately.
Thin stainless sheet suits parts where appearance and durability matter:
- Cover plates, panels and guards
- Brackets and mounting plates
- Signs, name plates and decorative screens
- Stencils (with bridges to hold internal pieces)
- Metal art and custom gifts
- Prototype and small production parts
Small and medium jobs are our speciality, and no job is too small.
Stainless steel capabilities
| Specification | Shug Fabrication & Design |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel thickness | Up to 3 mm |
| Cutting area | 1200 mm × 2400 mm |
| Accepted files | DXF (preferred), DWG, AI and EPS |
| Turnaround | Almost always within 1–5 working days |
| Grades and finishes | We cut 304 and 316 stainless steel in 2B and No. 4 finishes. We always remove the protective film before cutting for a cleaner result. |
If your part needs to be thicker than 3 mm, mild steel (up to 10 mm) may suit, depending on the application. See our mild steel laser cutting page.
Choosing the right grade and finish
The drawing tells us the shape. It doesn’t tell us the grade or the surface finish, and both matter for stainless. Tell us:
- The grade, if your drawing or project specification calls for one. Outdoor, coastal, pool or food-contact parts often need a different grade from indoor decorative parts, so check your project’s requirements before ordering.
- The surface finish, if one face will be on show. Some cosmetic marks can appear on the underside that rests on the laser bed, so let us know which face is the display face.
- Any special handling your part needs.
If you’re not sure which grade you need, resolve it before ordering. A cheaper grade is no saving if it rusts in service.
Design tips for thin stainless
Stainless sheet up to 3 mm can carry fine detail, but there are limits. Following our laser cutting design guidelines:
- Keep holes and cut-outs at least 50% of the sheet thickness.
- For sheet under 3 mm, leave at least 3 mm between cuts; for 3 mm sheet, leave at least 5 mm.
- Convert all lettering to outlines and add bridges to stencil letters such as O, A and R so the middle doesn’t fall out.
- Mark any critical dimensions and tell us the tolerance you need when you quote, so we can confirm suitability.
Preparing your stainless steel files
Send a vector drawing at 1:1 scale in millimetres. DXF is preferred (R12–R14), and DWG, AI and EPS are also accepted. Remove dimensions, notes, borders and duplicate lines, and close every outline. Give each part a clear filename, state the quantity of each, and leave repeated parts unnested. Our guide on how to prepare a DXF file for a laser cutting quote covers it step by step. A photo or screenshot needs converting before it can be cut, so contact us first if that’s what you have.
After cutting
Parts are supplied flat with a raw cut edge. Contact us to discuss deburring or finishing before you order. We can quote small MIG welding jobs. We don’t currently offer bending, polishing, painting or powder coating, but we can suggest local businesses we’ve used.
Frequently asked questions
How thick can you laser cut stainless steel?
Up to 3 mm.
Which stainless grades can you cut?
Tell us the grade your project needs when you request a quote. We cut 304 and 316 stainless steel in 2B and No. 4 finishes. We always remove the protective film before cutting for a cleaner result. Most customers collect from our Mooroolbark workshop. Delivery can be arranged in advance.
Will the surface be scratched?
Some cosmetic marks may appear, mainly on the side that sits on the laser bed. Tell us which face is on show. If an issue is caused at our end, we’re happy to replace the parts free of charge.
What is the biggest stainless sheet part you can cut?
Parts must fit within our 1200 mm × 2400 mm cutting area.
Can you cut stainless steel signs and stencils?
Yes. Convert text to outlines and add bridges so internal pieces stay attached.
Request a stainless steel quote
Upload your DXF or DWG to our instant laser cutting quote tool, select stainless steel, thickness and quantity, and get a price straight away. For grade advice, artwork or welding questions, call 0402 178 986 or contact Shug. Want to see what we’ve made? Browse the work gallery.
