Plasma Cutter Choices

[MossRoad]

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Seems the two plasma folks have ironed out their differences. Please continue the discussion on plasma cutting technology.

 

[deereman75]

ok thanks for the info Jim I am 14 and hopefuly getting a summer job this summer and I need a few other things for the shop before a plasma cutter. (chop saw, get the 220v air compressor wired up, the list goes on and on) but I might get the powermax 30 next summer. I am canadian and my first choice for tools is canadian made (I could count the number of those with 1 hand...) but my second choice is american made, and we sure have alot of that.
edit: I dont mind those discussions between you and mark, alot is learned from them

 

[Perplexed]

Seems the two plasma folks have ironed out their differences. Please continue the discussion on plasma cutting technology.

It's been most interesting even if my comment about having already chosen, and bought, a plasma cutter was lost. It's informative to see what Jim and Mark have to say about the latest trends in plasma cutter development.

 

[deereman75]

It's been most interesting even if my comment about having already chosen, and bought, a plasma cutter was lost. It's informative to see what Jim and Mark have to say about the latest trends in plasma cutter development.

which plasma cutter did you end up buying.

 

[MossRoad]

which plasma cutter did you end up buying.

Yes, please continue the discussion. I am also curious as to what you ended up with.

 

[Perplexed]

I didn't say originally which cutter I got, as the discussion had gotten pretty acrimonious at the time. I didn't want to fan the flames, so to speak. Now that things seem to have settled down, I can say that I got a Hypertherm Powermax 45. It was comparatively expensive, but after reading all the reviews and comments, I figure it's money worth spent. It's now sitting in my shop, awaiting my attention - when I have the time and it's not eleventy-billion degrees outside

 

[jimcolt]

perplexed,

Thank you for purchasing a Hypertherm system....from the 1200 employee-owners of Hypertherm. We will make sure you are satisfied with the machine for as long as you own it! Best regards, Jim

 

[MossRoad]

... and it's not eleventy-billion degrees outside

I'm pretty sure any plasma cutter would work at those temps. :laughing:

 

[toy]

I work for a company that is Global in sales. We have factories in 9 countries and a new factory in China with 70% of the products sold to the Chinese Market. Our Factory makes products to sell in the USA too made from lower cost labor with the same strict guidlines we use in our 3 US factories. The only difference between our Chinese, Mexican, Malaysian, Italian, American and Austrailian production plants is the cost of Labor. In the USA, The average hourly cost of assembly is $92.00 mostly because of Unions. In Malaysia it is $19.00, In Austrailia it is $22.00, In China it is $12.00.. It is the same quality product in all of the factories backed by Industry Leading Warranties.. All I am saying is that Just because it comes from over seas does not meat it is lessor quality. If you look at the components of Any of the supposed USA made Cutting and Welding Equipment you will see that it really is not Made in USA. Pull the covers and read the boards..See for your self.

When you mention the average hourly cost of assembly between these different countries, how many employees are they for each of these average hourly costs at each country? How many man hours are needed in each of these countries to produce a Machine? Just curious since you voluntarily shared the other information.

 

[Redneck in training]

When you mention the average hourly cost of assembly between these different countries, how many employees are they for each of these average hourly costs at each country? How many man hours are needed in each of these countries to produce a Machine? Just curious since you voluntarily shared the other information.

It seems to me that the $92 in the USA is way high. I spent some time in India (BTW India is more unionised that USA) and can tell you that in manufacturing jobs they will employ about 4 people for the same work performed by single US worker. This information is from a Cummins exec I met while flying to India few years back. He said that to make generators in India cost almost the same as in the US, but they are making them there because of India is the biggest market.
In construction it can be 20 to 1 but that is just my guess. Very few machines are used.

I am working in Australia currently. There is no doubt on my mind that Australians are paid better than US workers.