Sure, but it takes a lot of power to do it and the price goes up really fast. I think once you get over about 100 or 150 watts it's possible to cut thin metals

Sure, but it takes a lot of power to do it and the price goes up really fast. I think once you get over about 100 or 150 watts it's possible to cut thin metals. To cut think plate steel takes a lot more. Since I've just got a 45 watt machine, I don't have any experience with metal. (I have been wondering if I can cut copper foil tape with 45 watts, but I haven't done the experiment yet.) There are other considerations besides wattage, though. Different wavelengths are better at cutting different things. I've also heard of releasing pure oxygen at the point where you're cutting helps. (Even low-end laser cutters typically use an air compressor to blow smoke out of the way and, paradoxically, prevent the material from catching on fire.) Reflectivity can also be an issue. I know someone who runs an industrial laser cutter and they avoid brass because too much of the light just reflects back and tends to damage the machine.