Everlast plasma?

[Reverser]

So, all plasma cutters will cut metal. Ours are designed to cut metal reliably, for many years, and with the lowest operating cost possible.

Jim Colt

Jim, what you say about Hypertherm's dependability and lasting many years sounds good. But I can't help but think about Yomax's experience.

As he said earlier, his PowerMax 45 quit on him right after it was out of warranty. He no doubt bought a Hypertherm thinking it would last for many years, but it barely made it out of warranty before a high dollar part burnt out.

If I were Hypertherm, I would try to keep loyal customers by being a little more flexible with warranty issues. At least letting him have the part at Hypertherm's cost. Public relations is very important to a company's well being. And in this very competitive world, a gesture such as this would be favorable to a company's bottom line.

 

[newbury]

<snip>Ours are designed to cut metal reliably, for many years, and with the lowest operating cost possible. <snip>

Most of the stuff I would be cutting would be 1/4" or less. Occasionally up to 3/4"... But I've been getting by with grinders, a cut off saw and sawzall. Don't see myself cutting anything bigger. I might use it 1-2x a week or not at all for a couple months. <snip>

Jim, what you say about Hypertherm's dependability and lasting many years sounds good. But I can't help but think about Yomax's experience.

As he said earlier, his PowerMax 45 quit on him right after it was out of warranty. He no doubt bought a Hypertherm thinking it would last for many years, but it barely made it out of warranty before a high dollar part burnt out.

If I were Hypertherm, I would try to keep loyal customers by being a little more flexible with warranty issues. At least letting him have the part at Hypertherm's cost. Public relations is very important to a company's well being. And in this very competitive world, a gesture such as this would be favorable to a company's bottom line.

And that's a key to the point I was trying to make earlier. A lot of us are very occasional users. To invest $3,000 in a Hypertherm PM85 versus $1,200 for a Longetivity Forcecut 80 means I tie up $1,800 that could be spent on consumables.

And if like the OP, mike, I only use it 6 to 12 times a year, or max of 36 times over the warranty the difference in price should FAR exceed the consumables.

I needed a small welder because I just need to make some metal stick together on occasion. I've been thinking of a plasma cutter because I need to make holes in metal sometimes. But very often the cost of a great machine for very low usage is not warranted, especially if you can by several good machines for the same cost. Operating cost should include taking into account the initial purchase price and usage pattern.

If I use a $3,000 machine 36 times that costs me $83 every time I fire it up, the $1,200 machine $40 each for 36 uses.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Yes!!

You have hit on the reason why I never post in this forum anymore, and only rarely come to read. I own Big Blue also, but it's not a welcoming place for us.

Everlast, and the various shills that post here and constantly push their products, pay for this forum and do not appreciate objective opinions about other, (read superior) products....

If you're looking for objective and informative conversation .... Well, lets just say you will not find it here!

Agreed. This is the weirdest place when it comes to welder discussions. You don't even have to criticize some companies, the very act of recommending one of the big 3 (4 I guess counting plasmas) brings out the villagers with pitchforks.....weird that people shun the opinion and recommendations from other companies.....

I wonder if people buying tractors apply the same logic as welding equipment, i.e. how long the company has been around, dealer support, quality of build, availability of parts years down the road, etc.....seems to go out the window in some cases.

Just to be clear I am not criticizing companies, products, or decisions...merely the decision making process and discussion.

 

[muddstopper]

There are just to many folks here that dont like to admit that they might be wrong. They try to argue their side and get mad if everybody else doesnt agree with them. I own Miller and lincoln and used to own a Hobart before it became a Miller offspring. What I own works for me. When one of my machines fails, and one eventually will, I will probably try one of the cheaper brands before buying a replacement. Whether I buy a red or blue machine, or a green one depends on what works for me. I dont care what some salesman has to say, or what the current popular opinion at the time is. Research aint that hard to do in this day of the internet. You want a bunch of different opinons on a particular brand and model of machine, just type it into your search engine and read what other have to say. Explore all the links available and make a decision. If You get more negative reviews than positive, then you know to stay away.

 

[MossRoad]

And that's a key to the point I was trying to make earlier. A lot of us are very occasional users. To invest $3,000 in a Hypertherm PM85 versus $1,200 for a Longetivity Forcecut 80 means I tie up $1,800 that could be spent on consumables.

And if like the OP, mike, I only use it 6 to 12 times a year, or max of 36 times over the warranty the difference in price should FAR exceed the consumables.

I needed a small welder because I just need to make some metal stick together on occasion. I've been thinking of a plasma cutter because I need to make holes in metal sometimes. But very often the cost of a great machine for very low usage is not warranted, especially if you can by several good machines for the same cost. Operating cost should include taking into account the initial purchase price and usage pattern.

If I use a $3,000 machine 36 times that costs me $83 every time I fire it up, the $1,200 machine $40 each for 36 uses.

What kind of holes do you need to make?
I ask, because when I need to make a hole, I use a bi-metal hole saw in a drill. I've drilled litterally hundreds of holes with bi-metal hole saws in up to inch thick steel. The cost of a couple bi-metal hole saws VS a plasma cutter is, well, silly, plus the hole is more accurate with a hole saw Vs a home owner with a hand-held plasma cutter. If I need to cut plate, I use my torch and a straight edge, then grind it smooth if needed. Again, its a little more work, but I already have the torch! I just can't justify a plasma cutter for the few times I'd use it where the tools I already own can do the job.

So I guess it comes down to need VS want for me. Sure, I'd like to own a plasma cutter, but I don't NEED one, as I already own the tools to do the job. Kinda like if you had the cash, would you buy a new car, or be frugal and buy a used one, even though you can afford a new one?

 

[MossRoad]

And that's a key to the point I was trying to make earlier. A lot of us are very occasional users. To invest $3,000 in a Hypertherm PM85 versus $1,200 for a Longetivity Forcecut 80 means I tie up $1,800 that could be spent on consumables.

And if like the OP, mike, I only use it 6 to 12 times a year, or max of 36 times over the warranty the difference in price should FAR exceed the consumables.

I needed a small welder because I just need to make some metal stick together on occasion. I've been thinking of a plasma cutter because I need to make holes in metal sometimes. But very often the cost of a great machine for very low usage is not warranted, especially if you can by several good machines for the same cost. Operating cost should include taking into account the initial purchase price and usage pattern.

If I use a $3,000 machine 36 times that costs me $83 every time I fire it up, the $1,200 machine $40 each for 36 uses.

As for a smaller welder, I'm with you. I have stick welder for big stuff, and a nice little 110v mig for the small, quick stuff. Economical, nicer welds, more portable (I can take it to a friend's house or out in the field with a small generator), etc.... there is a place for small, economical tools and sometimes it gets pretty deep in here when folks talk down tools that are capable, but not as nice as theirs. :laughing:

 

[5030]

Isn't 'Everlast' a brand of boxing trunks?

 

[Rustyiron]

I don't understand why a guy that might make use of "it' 6-12 times a year is even shopping for a plas. O/A or O/P torches will do the trick unless you're cutting non ferris materials for half the money of the economy units and 1/4 or less of the price of an upper end/commercial pc. Not to mention being able to braze, gas weld, and heat (loosen old stuff) and heat to straighten/bend, with them.

 

[newbury]

I don't understand why a guy that might make use of "it' 6-12 times a year is even shopping for a plas. O/A or O/P torches will do the trick unless you're cutting non ferris materials for half the money of the economy units and 1/4 or less of the price of an upper end/commercial pc. Not to mention being able to braze, gas weld, and heat (loosen old stuff) and heat to straighten/bend, with them.

It can be similar to the guy who buys a new SCUT and only uses it a couple of times a year.

 

[FredH]

I have a older import brand Plasma that is the non-igbt or mosfet ( spelling ) type . Have had it for , I don't know , 4 or 5 years ?? No fancy air dryer either .
50 amp model or so it says , I have cut 5/8" clean cut and not had it maxed out . Versus a O/A torch which I have access to , there is no comparison .
Less space , ( plasma sits on bottom shelf of welding cart ) and in the time it takes to pull out the O/A torch , turn gas on and adjust , I can hook up ground from plasma , grab torch and cut since again , it is right with the welder . I have used mine for various projects with the most use in 1 year being like 2 projects
with maybe 10 cuts , total length maybe 5' or 6' .

For the ease of use , size , mobility , hard to beat the plasma .

Fred H.