Comparing Major Brand Plasma systems to low cost imports

[jimcolt]

No hate at all....in fact if you read my posts you will find that I separate plasma systems by their capabilities (power level, cut quality expectations, reliability, purchase price, operating cost, tc, etc.) I mention that many users have different criteria involved with their metal cutting needs....such as thickness, cost of operation, cut speed, cut quality...even color of the machine (brand loyalty) and price. Further...I suggest that if the criteria works (low price, cuts metal) then perhaps the low cost units are the correct choice.

In reality many home hobbyist's would like a plasma cutter....but perhaps don't really need one. If you are only cutting steel...and only doing it occasionally....and don't already have an oxy-acetylene torch setup in your shop...then that is probably the best choice!

My original post that started this thread mentions no names...in fact when I mention "low cost imports" it is an attempt to cover the dozen or more low cost import plasma systems that you can find in a google search. I could name the names if necessary (I have cut with almost all of them...I have looked carefully at their construction, and I have been involved with lab testing of many of them to determine their capability in terms of cut quality, thickness, duty cycle and consumable life).

To me....all of these low cost units have a unique low cost niche in the market.....a niche that my company is not interested in for reasons listed in a previous post. If your needs fit that niche....then by all means I will suggest (and I do often) that these units may be the best choice......just as I send industrial applications to Laser, WaterJet and sometimes other plasma brands if the product fits their need better than a product that my company makes.

In summary...the post was intended to get readers thinking about the available choices in regards to plasma cutting. Like tractors....there are many brands, many capabilities and many prices. And it is clear that this thinking process was generated!

Jim Colt

I am wondering " WHY " if 5030 and Jim colt seem to Hate the import brands so much , then " Why " even be a member on this board if these " Import " brands own the show here ?

You know , if I hate seafood , I sure don't go to Red Lobster !!!

I find nothing " informative " in posts like this . If I don't own one , I don't comment about product "x" be it whatever brand .


Fred H.

 

[hodge]

What are you referring to here??

While the features and warranty of Everlast and Longevity look good, if they are hiding issues or stomping out posts that report issues with machines or service, than I don't want one. Everything has issues- regardless who makes it. Being honest and taking ownership of those issues is more important to me than the issue itself.
It would appear, at least by posts read on this thread, that some of the foreign plasma cutters have had repeated issues, and the solutions have been difficult to iron out. I said it appeared that way- before I would spend a chunk of money, I would want to see that the company had open, honest, clear business practices.
I am not pointing any accusatory fingers at Everlast or Longevity- I don't have firsthand experience, other than trying to make contact with Everlast through PM and email. I simply don't know them. Therefore, I rely heavily on the experience of others to get a feel for the companies. When others on this forum, as well as others like Weldingweb, report issues with product and service, than I take that for what it's worth, and weigh it against what I do know. I was more comfortable buying a Miller, because it was available to me in my price range, and I trust Miller. I would have been as equally comfortable with a Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics, Hobart, or Lincoln.

 

[Ken45101]

Well I don't see any "hate" here and I think Jim's comments have been fair and instructive. Cost is an important spec, but not the only one. We all have to balance what is available against what are our needs.

Rarely does anyone get more than they paid for. Most of the time, we only get what we paid for and sometimes we don't even get what we paid for. The more we know the details, and what we are paying for, the better.

No single model or brand is a perfect fit for everyone. The more we know, the better informed buying decision we can make and find what's right for us.

Ken

 

[jimcolt]

Well said Ken!

Well I don't see any "hate" here and I think Jim's comments have been fair and instructive. Cost is an important spec, but not the only one. We all have to balance what is available against what are our needs.

Rarely does anyone get more than they paid for. Most of the time, we only get what we paid for and sometimes we don't even get what we paid for. The more we know the details, and what we are paying for, the better.

No single model or brand is a perfect fit for everyone. The more we know, the better informed buying decision we can make and find what's right for us.

Ken

 

[jake98]

While the features and warranty of Everlast and Longevity look good, if they are hiding issues or stomping out posts that report issues with machines or service, than I don't want one.

When others on this forum, as well as others like Weldingweb, report issues with product and service,

From what I've seen, nobody takes care of their issues like the crew at Everlast. Welding Web is a source of 99% pure misinformation if you mention Everlast. They actually have an active group that regularly invades Everlast's website to spew nonsense about imports. The only 'post stomping' involves abusive communication, as far as I can tell. I wouldn't want Mark's job.

 

[jimcolt]

I agree that there are many on the Welding Web forum that pick on the products simply because of their origin (China). I would not like to be in Marks shoes on that forum either!

The best products in the world can be produced anywhere in the world...location has nothing to do with product performance. Product performance is determined by design and engineering, by testing, by consistency in manufacturing, as well as by support after the sale.


Jim

From what I've seen, nobody takes care of their issues like the crew at Everlast. Welding Web is a source of 99% pure misinformation if you mention Everlast. They actually have an active group that regularly invades Everlast's website to spew nonsense about imports. The only 'post stomping' involves abusive communication, as far as I can tell. I wouldn't want Mark's job.

 

[FredH]

Hate is to strong a word for the point I was trying to make but with that said , the last part of my post is the most important . If I don't own it , have never owned it or have never even operated it , I Don't comment or express an opinion on it . Jim's company may make great products , or not , I don't know , have never owned or operated one . Same for Mark at Everlast and the Longevity brand .

From my avatar , you see a Freightliner , Never owned or operated a Peterbilt , Kenworth or Volvo , so my opinion of those brands is nil . If someone has a issue that may be similar to something I had go wrong that is not brand specific , I try to help .

I have operated and owned both miller and lincoln wire welders . I was looking at purchasing a stick / arc unit from either Everlast or Longevity , but my Dad is clearing out some unused stuff so rather than him give it away , I may buy his old Sears color-matic stick welder that I have not used since high school in the '70's . I do own a "chinese " plasma cutter , Had it for 3 or 4 years . I have been far from gentle with it , and everything from 1/8" fancy drawing work to rugged 1/2" flat stock implement building has been cut with no issue's .

In a nutshell , Opinions are like anatomy , We all have them .

Fred H.

 

[ericher69]

From what I've seen, nobody takes care of their issues like the crew at Everlast. Welding Web is a source of 99% pure misinformation if you mention Everlast. They actually have an active group that regularly invades Everlast's website to spew nonsense about imports. The only 'post stomping' involves abusive communication, as far as I can tell. I wouldn't want Mark's job.

I have refrained so far from posting but can indeed vouch to the above post. I have followed some members recommendations from this site to post my welding questions on welding web or equivalent forums and must say that there is some serious "hate" against Everlast and Longevity!

Therefore I joined the Miller forum that although do no support imports;usually tell somebody politely to go post somewhere else!

I feel that welding web is a good old boys club that "hate" anything not made in the good ol' USA!

I do not like it more than another North American that most products are now made (or soon to be) Made in China but...

Like most North Americans I enjoy my good wages/benefits and low cost products

Like it or not China is a Financial super power.

I for one have never travelled to China (would like to see the great wall someday) but have friends that travel frequently for business purposes. They can buy a custom tailored Suit out of material of choice and pay 1/10 what it would cost here! Why is that? People there earn about 10X less per year on average.

I for one am in the market for a Plasma and will consider all makes that could fit my needs.

I appreciate Jim's input and also Mark's

In the end I need to be realistic on what this machine will be used for...occasional use!

 

[5030]

I am wondering " WHY " if 5030 and Jim colt seem to Hate the import brands so much , then " Why " even be a member on this board if these " Import " brands own the show here ?

You know , if I hate seafood , I sure don't go to Red Lobster !!!

I find nothing " informative " in posts like this . If I don't own one , I don't comment about product "x" be it whatever brand .


Fred H.

Well Fred, I'm not Jim so if I have an axe to sharpen, I get the whetstone out, without hesitation.

You might 'hate' seafood but I bet yo still eat it ocassionally.

Candidly, I'm not overly fond of Freightliners, having owned 4. Since Diamler took ownership, it's been all downhill at a high rate of fuel consumption.

I'm a buy American person or at least products that are assembled here, not coming in on a container and getting sold with some cosmetic makeup applied. I have an issue with that. Maybe thar's why, in my shop, you'll find mostly American made machinery and tools. 99% of my machine tools, tooling and pershable tooling is domestic and all my raw materials are sourced from American mills and suppliers. I demand that.

I'm proud to be an American. Are you???

Being American is supporting this country and not just with lip service, but by purchasing American made products whenever possible and in this case, it's very possible to buy domestic, whether a hobby type plasma or a full out production model, thay are there, made by our countrymen.

So tell me bub... Whats your stand on that?

I don't 'hate' anyone or anything. That isn't in my makeup. I 'dislike' things and people. I dislike imports of all types. I'd really like to see this country adopt a policy of ptotectionism before, because of people like you, we go down the toilet. We need real tarriffs and we need real trade agreements, not the lip service this current administration and the previous administration have perpetuated. That's not germane to this thread.

What is, is Jim is putting forth some real valid comparisons, based on his knowledge and expertise, without any hint of prejudice on his past. The only 'hate and prejudice' I see is what is perpetrated by other posters, you included.

I value Jim Colt's knowledge and so should you but that entails acting like an adult and posting like an adult.

I find it amazing that when Jim posts on other forums, there is no 'dirty laundry washing' like on this forum. Must be like 'moths to the flame' syndrome......

 

[FredH]

OMG!!!! Your hysterical 5030 . Nothing in your last post is worth replying to .:confused2:

In Fact your last post just verifies my first post .:thumbsup:

Fred H.

P.S. 5030 : READ my post above about people's opinion on any product even though they don't own it or have never even used it !