RUSTED HUB ASSEMBLIES, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND BOLTS NO MATCH FOR POWERMAX45
Three mechanics, three bays, and a whole parade of cars and trucks; that’s the scene at Guy Desroches Automotive Centre, a repair shop in Wyebridge, Ontario that services Domestic, Asian, and European makes. The crew handles everything from regular maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations, to brake work, fuel tank replacement, or electrical problems.
The arsenal of tools includes a Hypertherm Powermax45 which is used regularly to remove rusted hub assemblies, wheel bearings, and bolts. A mechanic might also use the system to make custom brackets, or when repairing a suspension system. Guy Desroches, the shop’s owner, says they regularly cut or gouge steel, aluminum, and tin—both painted and unpainted, rusted or not.
Desroches had his eye on a Hypertherm system for years before finally purchasing the Powermax45 in 2012. "I have wanted a Hypertherm for five or six years now and we recently had a few jobs that were a pain, so we finally got the plasma,” explains Desroches. There are no regrets.
Compared to oxyfuel, Desroches and team like the control the Powermax45 provides. “The plasma flame is only two inches long. It will get into tighter spots and it doesn’t generate a lot of heat like the flame torch,” says Desroches. They also like the speed with which they can cut material and the quality of the cuts they get. Cuts are straighter with squared edges, and the kerf width is much narrower so less material is removed from the part.
Another benefit cited by the crew is a smaller heat affected zone, which keeps the heat from spreading to nearby parts. They also like plasma’s ability to cut through rusted metal. “It is amazing how well it cuts through rust, and we see a lot of that in Canada from all the salt used on the roads in winter,” explains Mechanic Sean Andrews.
Andrews goes on to talk about another benefit: safety. “It is safer than a flame because it doesn’t flare up in your face.” Desroches and Andrews are also really pleased with how long consumables last saying the only consumables changed to date are the electrode and nozzle, which they change every three to six months.
For the team at Guy Desroches Automotive Centre there is no doubt the Powermax45 was a good business decision. The quality of the cuts combined with the speed of the system is saving them hours of work. They no longer struggle to cut through rusted metal or shave off a bolt head. They no longer wonder how they’re going to remove metal from a tight compartment. The Powermax45 makes easy work of all those jobs and more.
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