Welding & Fabrication worked example

Cut Length Cost with total cut length on the job of 3,000 in: a worked example

Push total cut length on the job up to 3,000 in and the picture changes. This example computes every intermediate figure at that operating point. Use it when quoting cut-to-length, bar saw, or oxy-fuel cutting work and you need a defensible total cost based on the inches being cut.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Total cut length on the job: 3,000 in (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 1,200)
  • Cutting cost per inch: 0.05 $ / in (unchanged)
  • Cutting machine setup cost: 95 $ (unchanged)
  • Cutting labor with burden: 240 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Total cutting cost on the job = total cut length on the job × cutting cost per inch + cutting machine setup cost + cutting labor with burden) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 485 $ for total cutting cost on the job, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.16 $ / piece for cutting cost per inch (all-in).
  • At this operating point the engine returns 150 $ for cutting cost per inch.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 335 $ for setup and labor with burden.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where total cut length on the job sits at 1,200 in and the headline result is 395 $, this scenario comes in 22.78% above the baseline at 485 $.
  • It multiplies total cut length by cost per inch, adds cutting machine setup and burdened labor, then divides by cut length for an all-in cost per inch. The value of this scenario is the size of the gap it exposes: that gap, priced out over a year, is the budget you can justify spending to close it.

Results at a glance

  • Total cutting cost on the job: 485 $ (headline result)
  • Cutting cost per inch (all-in): 0.16 $ / piece
  • Cutting cost per inch: 150 $
  • Setup and labor with burden: 335 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Cut Length Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.