LOTOS LT5000D Plasma Cutter, 2024 Upgraded 5/8 inch 16mm Clean Cut 3/4 inch 20mm Severance Cut 50A Plasma Metal Cutter Machine, Plasma Cutting Equipment, Dual Voltage 120V or 240V, Brown

I have included a few pictures of my first cutting project with my new Lotos LTP5000D that I got yesterday evening. I am making a type of hanger that goes outside by the front door. It will be a half circle with a circular image hanging in the middle of it. I had to use a plate from the kitchen to go around with the cutter - it was unbelievably easy! The half circle I had to do by hand - and had to clean it up with the grinder...but I expected that. Next I'll cut out the design that goes in the circular part, and then hang it within the half circle, weld a mounting plate to the half circle, and probably hang it outside. I am using 1/8" flat plate steel.I have a rather large, older plasma cutter I picked up at Harbor Freight many years ago. I tried to use it about 6 months ago and it's not working. I am getting back into metal work in the garage and wanted to get a new, portable plasma cutter. 3 days ago, I went to the 2 big box stores (L. & H.D.) and was disappointed to find that they don't even carry them in the store. I'm glad now that they don't.When I got back home, I went online and started reading info and reviews on diff. machines. Initially I looked at a couple in the $150-180 range on Amazon, but decided to spend more and get a much better one. I didn't know what pilot arc was but I ended up buying the Lotos LTP5000D...and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!My 220 in my garage I and a friend put in many years ago when I got my first plasma cutter. However, the 220 plug on the Lotos is the 3-prong circular pattern plug, which doesn't match my existing outlet. I looked at different ways to make it work, and eventually decided on this: I bought an adapter that has the circular female side and the male side is the two vertical blades (one wider than the other) and the round piece. I also ordered a matching 3-prong outlet, which I wired in place of the existing 220 outlet. It was simple...the two 110 hot wires to the two blades, and the ground (green) to the round one. I did have to go to Lowes this am to get a mounting box to install it. Found one cheap, got it installed, and started cutting metal. Yesterday, I had used the circular plug with the 220 to 110 pigtail and it worked fine...the first time with low amps because I was cutting out the bottom of an old coffee can to make a shroud for a small fan. Problem after that was that I popped the power strip when I was using higher amps and my compressor kicked on. I then plugged the plasma cutter into a different outlet, but twice when the compressor started while cutting, the whole garage power went out. That's when I knew for sure I needed to get my 220 line working, since it's a dedicated line that doesn't affect any other power in the house.Since it's been many many years since I've actually used a plasma cutter, it is taking me a little bit to get back up to speed, but this Lotos unit really makes it easy. And it works so much better on 220! I was nervous that my compressor would have a hard time keeping up, but to my surprise and pleasure, I've found that even running at 42 amps with the psi set around 55-60, when the compressor does kick on, it still is at about 90 in the tank, and only runs for about less than a minute. I'm so glad - don't want to buy a different compressor! Also, that pilot arc is awesome! I can see it really saving me on consumables - with my old plasma cutter, I had to get the torch down to touching the metal, which created a lot of blowback. With this one, I can start the arc much higher and work it in. Also, with the power of this machine, I can start the tip right on the metal and punch through the metal instantly...without the blowback on me or on the torch tip. This will definitely save money by making the tips and the electrodes last longer.So I'd say that after spending $335 on the cutter and about $70 on the pigtail and set of consumables, coming in around $443 for everything, and getting my cutter about 48 hours after ordering it, I am extremely pleased with the purchase. I can't speak for longevity or durability yet, but I can say that the cutter feels solid and well built, and the cords (ground and power/air/arc power combo) seem very durable and capable.For apparent quality, ease of use, and performance, I could easily give this many more stars - if that were possible. I can't say enough about the looks, the feel, and the performance so far with this machine. I've learned the hard way that products can start out amazing and then develop problems, so I can't speak for longevity as yet. But in the short (1 day) time I've been using it, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase, and would highly recommend the Lotos LTP5000D to anyone just starting plasma cutting, needing to switch/upgrade from a current machine, or simply needing a second plasma cutter around the shop or in the truck (this thing is LIGHT - compared to my MIG welder, and especially compared to my stick welder!!!oh...and I can't speak for customer service since I haven't had to contact them - and hope I never do.Get this plasma cutter!!! If it runs as good and easily as mine has so far, you won't regret it!!

I haven't used it much yet to know about long term reliability, but so far I am greatly impressed. I have used other commercial brands of Plasma cutters, and this one works just as well as some that would have cost me 3X as much, or more. I got mine in a 'lightning deal' for $340, and i cannot believe at how well it works. It will cleanly cut 1/4 inch steel, with almost no slag if you watch your cutting speed. I have cut 1/2 inch thick steel with it, a little faster than my acetylene torch, and with about the same slag. Not too many years ago, that would have required a machine that cost upwards of $1500, amazing what technology is giving us. Now, getting something that works, and at such a low price does require some compromises. Here are the ones I have found:Ground cable - short. Fortunately, the machine itself is easy to carry, making it easy to bring to your work.Torch/torch cable - this is of a decent usable length, but it is not nearly as stout as what you will find on a commercial grade cutter. However, for the average user, who won't tug too hard on it when it snags on something, and takes a little care to keep it away from sharp edges and hot surfaces, it should hold up fine. Remember, this is a machine meant for hours of use per week, not per day. It quickly and easily connects to the cutter, so replacing it if it does cause problems should be quick and easy. You can also remove it if you aren't going to use the cutter for a while, to reduce the risk of damage.No hose connections. It does come with a little air filter/dryer, and a bracket to mount it on the back of the machine. It even comes with a length of air hose, but there are no hose barbs to connect it. There is one lone barb, that screws into the air inlet of the welder. To use the filter/dryer, you need to get your own barbs. I highly recommend you use the one they included, even if you already have a filter/dryer, because it also has a regulator built in, which is a great feature. I set the regulator for the pressure I want, and put a quick-coupler barb on the inlet side, and whenever I want to use the cutter, I just hook it so my shop air, no need to turn it down at the compressor.Instructions, or rather, a major lack of instructions. Fortunately, the cutter is built so that everything has a different connector, so the only way things can be hooked up, is the right way. However, before you actually try to USE the machine, please go on Youtube or somewhere, and watch a couple instructional videos. They give a couple pictures and tips for assembly, but nothing in terms of how to use it. No tips on air pressure, heat setting, etc. FWIW, I found that 20PSI works well with the lower part of fhe amp range for thin metal, gradually increasing pressure up to about 40 (working) by the time you get to the highest setting.Now, to the good,It WORKS, and works well, In anything under 3/16 inch, if you get the heat and air settings right, there is almost no slag. In sheet metal, it cuts like a hot knife through butter, if you will pardon the pun. Above 1/8 inch, you need to slow down a little, to avoid slag, and above 1/4 inch, it will almost always produce a little, but it doesn't seem to be any worse than a regular torch, and cuts faster. I have cut 1/2 inch, creeping along, and that is about the practical limit in steel. You probably could go a little thicker if you had to, but you are getting into the 'cuts it if it has to' instead of 'cuts it like it wants to'. A couple years ago I considered getting a plasma cutter, and the welding shop let me try one out, that seemed to have about the same capacity as this one does, and it cost right at $1500. I know they came down in price, but it still seems like a real bargain. I looked online, and this was listed as the 'best Plasma cutter under $500',After you end your cut, air will flow through the tip for a few seconds, this is normal, it cools the tip for longer life. Also, if you have a wire brush handy, a quick swipe over the cutting tip while it is still hot removes some of the spatter from it, making the tip last longer.It seems well made, all the controls work smoothly and precisely, and the cooling fan has a nice smooth hum to it. Light enough to carry in one hand, with a handle on top.I understand it comes wired for 240V, but can be run at 120V at reduced capacity. If all I had were 120V outlets, I think it would be well worth it to wire in a 240V socket for this cutter. Even doing thinner materials, it will cut much faster if you can use it to capacity.Lastly, if you are considering a plasma cutter, spend the extra $50 (or less) and get the one with the pilot arc feature (the 'P' in the LTP). Cutters without the pilot arc require you to start the cutting arc, much the same way you strike an arc with a stick welder. With the pilot arc, it 'sparks' to start the arc for you, so you never have to worry about touching the tip to your work, so the tips should last longer, while at the same time being much easier to use. Also, there is a little guide included, that you install on the gun, that holds the tip at the proper distance from the work, and preventing touching the tip. Works great on most any flat surface, and makes it that much easier to use.