REUSABLE MERCURY TRAP COST COMPARISON
This cost comparison is
intended to compare the cost of using hand-made mercury traps to using
our REUSABLE MERCURY TRAPS. The comparison is based on the average
neon technician requiring approximately 30 seconds to make a mercury
trap with 5mm tubulation glass, which includes the time it takes to
get the glass out of the box and cutting it before blowing the bubble
in the fire. The comparison is also based on the tubulation glass
being cut to 6" lengths. This is a conservative figure as many shops
cut their tubulation glass 8", 10" and even 12" long for making
mercury traps.
The labor cost is estimated at $15.00 per hour, which includes payroll
expenses, benefits, other employee overhead and administrative
expenses, thereby making the actual employee hourly rate roughly
$11.00 to $12.00 per hour. Realizing that labor costs vary
considerably this figure should be considered an arbitrary average.
Glass cost is figured at $1.50 per pound for 5mm tubulation glass and
does not include any shipping expense, which may or may not be a
factor in your particular location. Because shop overhead also varies
dramatically with location, number of employees, rent/mortgage
payment, cost of utilities, etc., a conservative figure of $7.00 per
hour for shop overhead was used. For a more accurate comparison use
your actual labor, overhead and miscellaneous expenses.
HAND-MADE TRAP
LABOR: Includes removing glass from box, cutting the glass to
6” lengths and blowing the bubble.
30 seconds each (½ min.) x 60 minutes = 120 traps per hour.
$15.00/hr. ÷ 120 traps = $ 0.12 each ($0.12½ rounded down for ease of
calculation)
GLASS: Does not include shipping expense.
5mm = approximately ten (10) 48" sticks per pound.
48" per stick ÷ 6" each = 8 pieces per stick x 10 sticks = 80 pieces
per pound.
$1.50 per pound ÷ 80 pieces = $ 0.02 each (0.01875 rounded up to
account for slight breakage loss)
SHOP OVERHEAD: Based on $7.00 per hour.
$7.00/hr. ÷ 120 traps per hour = $ 0.06 each (0.0583 rounded up)
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST PER TRAP FOR A HAND-MADE MERCURY TRAP:
LABOR ........................... $ 0.12
GLASS ...........................
$ 0.02
OVERHEAD ....................
$ 0.06
TOTAL ............................ $ 0.20 EACH (LABOR IS 60% OF
TOTAL COST)
COST COMPARISON:
HAND-MADE: You never stop making them! The more you make
the more it costs per year.
Based on making only five (5) traps per day:
5 traps per day x 5 days per week = 25 traps per week x 52 weeks per
year = 1300 traps per year.
1300 traps per year x $0.20 each = …….……….. $260.00 PER YEAR!
If you use twice that many (10 traps per day) ….. $520.00 PER YEAR!
REUSABLE MERCURY TRAPS:
Virtually a fixed cost regardless of how many times you use them.
Reusable Mercury Trap …… $ 45.00*
$45.00 divided by $0.20 (the cost of one hand made trap) = 225.
The Reusable Mercury Trap will pay for itself after pumping just
225 units vs. using hand-made mercury traps.
Looking at it another way:
At $45.00 each*, with a life expectancy of at least 5 years**, cost
per trap is $9.00 per year regardless of how many times you use it.
*Price based on a
quantity of 1 to 4 straight configuration traps. Quantity discounts
reduce the cost per trap.
**Glass does not wear out under normal use. With the possible
exception of occasionally replacing an O-ring or cap, the trap should
last indefinitely.
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