Spend Less On Consumables
Interested in Saving Money on Costly Consumables and Increasing Your Uptime?
Tips, liners, guns…these accessory items can add up to big money when you are frequently replacing them. However, most companies figure it’s just a cost associated with welding and there’s not much you can do about it. Most companies also figure that since these items are disposable, the best idea is to buy the cheapest brand. Have you ever considered evaluating the long-term savings you could receive if you researched consumable brands and found products that could last longer?
How many times per day do your welding operators need to stop welding production because of burn backs, and need to change out tips, guns, nozzles, diffusers, gun liners, etc.? Also, how much rework do your post welding operators perform because of spatter or because there was ineffective gas coverage causing porosity in your welds? Finally, how many consumables do you need to order and keep in inventory?
It’s the age-old argument…you get what you pay for. Spending less upfront for consumables may seem like the thrifty answer. However, keeping your welding operators working all day instead of maintaining their machines is a much larger cost savings. Look for consumables that can provide a longer life…some tips can last three times longer. Also, look for consumables that offer “no tool” changeouts. That way, if your operators do need to maintain their machine, it will take them significantly less time. Companies that have abandoned the “cheap” alternatives to consumables and have switched to high quality products have dramatically increased production and weld quality, decreased their costs, and they order and stock less parts.
Let me know what you think…vote on the poll question and post your comments.
Average (Not Rated)
June 23rd, 2006 at 1:49 pm
I would recommend Techweld Multi-strike electrodes for TIG welding. You can use them for Steel and aluminum and are non-radioactive. www.cob-industries.com. You pay more , but it gives you 10 times more life. 1-800-431-1311. I agree to stop going CHEAP and buy Quality consumables.
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:28 am
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR IS TRUE FOR SURE. OFF BRAND WELDING MACHINES WILL COST YOU EVERY TIME WHEN YOU FIND OUT HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND CONSUMABLES FOR THEM,AND WHAT DOWN TIME COST YOU WHEN THE MACHINE IS DOWN FOR A WEEK WILE WATING FOR PARTS.GET A GOOD MACHINE AND A SUPPLIER THATS HAS THE PARTS AND INVENTORY AND EXPERANCE TO BACK IT UP.AND ALSO IS TRUE FOR GRINDING AND CUTTING WHEELS PAY FOR IT AND IT WILL NOT BLOW UP IN YOUR FACE WHEN YOU LEASE EXPECT IT.THINK SAFTY TOO.
THE MAN BEHIND THE MACHINF COST TOO MUCH TO REPLACE!
THANKS TOMMY
August 9th, 2006 at 11:17 am
This is so true, and why it is so important to always buy from a trusted supplier…. there is great variety in quality of replacement parts on the market, and you need to buy from someone who will stand by their product, and maybe even go the extra mile and actually look at it before it goes out the door.
CarmenElectrode.com
August 29th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
I just bought a plasma cutter, spectrum 375, to make items for sale as extra income. However, with no training or training video I attempted to make some cuts on 16 ga. mild steel. after three or four cuts of about 20 inches in lenght I spent three tips and electrodes, including the ones supplied on the torch.
I’m using 120 volts electricity w. the machine set on 120 volts, the cutting dial was set to 16, the air presure was set in between the recomended settings and I allowed the machine to rest between cuts.
Do you have any advise ? All the supplyers in town just sell the machines but none know how to operate them.
Thank you in advance…….JCR
August 30th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
JCR - I understand that the folks at Miller gave you some suggestions, let us know if that worked for you or if you have any other questions.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
every welder would spend less in the long haul if they used miller equipment