Used Hornet Equipment Sold by Meadoworks

Hornet Cutting Systems was founded in 2004 in Valley Center, Kansas, originally operating as Retro Systems, a retrofitting operation for CNC cutting machines. As demand for new equipment grew, the company transitioned into original equipment manufacturing, releasing its first CNC plasma and oxyfuel cutting machine by the end of that same year. The machine was named the Hornet after the local high school mascot and painted purple as a nod to the company's hometown roots. In 2016, the Retro Systems name was retired and the company officially became Hornet Cutting Systems, reflecting its identity as a leading American OEM. The company has since achieved ISO 9001:AS9100D certification.

Hornet Cutting Systems produces a comprehensive line of CNC cutting machines centered on plasma cutting tables. The flagship Mega Hornet 1000 is a large-format, heavy-duty plasma cutting system with an enormous welded steel frame, massive AC servo drives, precision linear rail systems, and support for up to six simultaneous cutting and marking processes on table widths up to 14 feet and lengths exceeding 100 feet. The Mega Hornet 2000 scales up further for the most demanding production environments. The Hornet HD and Hornet XD serve mid-range and high-performance plate cutting applications, while the Hornet LTX and Mini Hornet address lighter-duty and educational needs. For pipe cutting, the Roto Hornet 1000 and Roto Hornet 2000 handle pipe diameters from 2 to 24 inches, and the Roto Combo 2000 attachment allows a Mega Hornet plate machine to also perform pipe cutting without a separate power unit. All machines integrate Hypertherm plasma systems and CNC controls.

Hornet plasma cutters serve a wide range of end markets. Shipyards and naval facilities rely on the Mega Hornet series for cutting thick steel and aluminum plate at scale. Steel service centers, structural steel fabricators, and heavy equipment manufacturers use Hornet machines for high-volume plate production. The company also serves aerospace and defense contractors, truck and trailer manufacturers, contract fabrication shops, and process piping operations that require precise, repeatable pipe profiling and bevel cutting.

Buyers seeking used Hornet plasma cutters on the secondary market are drawn to the brand's reputation for overbuilt, long-service-life construction. The stress-relieved gantry beams, heavy-wall steel frames, and precision ground linear ways are engineered for decades of continuous industrial use, meaning well-maintained machines retain strong cutting performance long after their initial sale. Hypertherm controls and consumables remain widely available, keeping maintenance costs manageable. The Mega Hornet 1000 in particular holds its value well because its large cutting envelope and multi-process capability are difficult to replicate at comparable cost with newer entry-level equipment.

Meadoworks is your trusted source for used Hornet equipment. As third-generation industrial equipment dealers and AMEA-certified appraisers with over 50 years of experience, we offer quality-inspected Hornet machines at competitive prices. Most of our Hornet inventory sells before we can list it online — call 800-323-0307 for equipment not yet listed.

Every machine includes detailed specifications and high-resolution photos, and inspection visits are available for most equipment. We ship worldwide with experienced rigging partners and offer financing for qualified buyers. Have Hornet equipment to sell? Get a free valuation or contact our team.