Budget inverter style plasma vs. Name Brand Plasma Cutter

[DRM]

A quick look around and you will see a flurry of budget priced plasma cutters for sale here, eBay, and elsewhere:

Chiry, Mitech, Dayton, ParkerMP, and many more.

With prices of these new budget machines at a fraction of the price of machines *claiming* to be rated for use on similar materials - I thought it would be a good time for those educated on the differences in these budget priced inverter style air plasma cutting machines, and their more expensive name brand competators - Hypertherm, Miller, Esab, etc.

So, what is the difference in these machines that (seemingly) bring about such a large price difference?

We all know the old addage "you get what you pay for" - so what ARE you paying for with these budget machines?

[pmurf1]

Higher american labor and advertising would come to mind for me. Longer warranty and a network of people to work on them doesn't come for free either.

[groundloopdog]

don't know about plasma but cheap migs suck! I have a century that has never worked right .IMO buy a name brand they are more because they work.

[DRM]

Higher american labor and advertising would come to mind for me. Longer warranty and a network of people to work on them doesn't come for free either.

Definately part of the equation.

But we are talking 1/3 of the retail price... and I am assmuing the people selling these budget plasmas are covering shipping from overseas as well as a decent profit margin for themselves... which puts the wholesale cost of these budget plasma's at easily sub $200 (maybe even closer to $100?).

And if that's the case - then there's either a BIG markup in the machines we've come to know as the "name brands", or else there is a substantial difference in design and/or parts.

I am assuming it is the inverter part that these cheaper machines mention that is a big difference here. if someone could eplxain the technological differences, I think it would help people understand the differences and chose the correct machine for them.

[Dustball]

Definately part of the equation.

But we are talking 1/3 of the retail price... and I am assmuing the people selling these budget plasmas are covering shipping from overseas as well as a decent profit margin for themselves... which puts the wholesale cost of these budget plasma's at easily sub $200 (maybe even closer to $100?).


Nah, not that low. It's just under $300 per plasma cutter plus the shipping/duty/paperwork. For my last shipment the fees came in at around $800 for 15 plasmas.

I have no idea why the "name-brand" companies are selling their products for so much money other than just because they can.

[DRM]

Nah, not that low. It's just under $300 per plasma cutter plus the shipping/duty/paperwork. For my last shipment the fees came in at around $800 for 15 plasmas.

I have no idea why the "name-brand" companies are selling their products for so much money other than just because they can.

Thanks for sharing that Dustin :)

[CJ5inFourWheelDrive]

Top, since I've bumped all the other cheap plasma threads :flipoff2:.

[Jff24Gordn]

Do what I did, find a welding supply place selling their rentals. I got a used Hypertherm 800 with extra tips for $500.

[DRM]

Do what I did, find a welding supply place selling their rentals. I got a used Hypertherm 800 with extra tips for $500.

Now that is a sweet deal :eek: