Pilot Arc Plasma Cutters

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 wanted to get a plasma cutter for my next Mustang project. I checked around a lot and settled on the Lotos LTP5000D. I wanted the pilot arc function and it's a 50 amp, dual voltage machine that's supposed to cut 1/2". I read a lot of reviews and also checked out some on-line welding publication articles. The LTP5000D kept popping up on "best of" lists mainly as best value or best performance out of a low buck machine. Time to take a chance so I bought the machine.Before using it, I checked out some youtube un-boxing and first use videos. One guy melted the ground cable, most probably because his ground location wasn't cleaned up where he connected it. I pretty much echo the comments of the videos I watched. The machine is small and lightweight, which is good. The power and ground cables are too short. After talking to an electrician, I purchased 25 feet of 10-3 SOOW cord to make a new power cord. I have 220V in my garage so I also had to replace the turn and lock plug that came with the machine. About $75 extra so far but that's fine with me. I plan on changing the ground cable in the future.I wanted my first test to be substantial. I found a 5"X5", 3/8" thick, 14' long box beam at a salvage yard that I'm going to use to make a frame table for the Mustang project. I wanted to cut it in half lengthways to make two C-channel beams. The little wire stand-off that came with the torch to keep the tip off the work is not very effective. I made a sled out of 1-1/2" square tubing that allows the torch tip to stay about 1/8" off the work surface and slide along a straight edge. I set the air pressure to the recommended 75 PSI and started the amperage at 35. I ended up putting the pressure up to about 85 and the amperage to 50. I'm new to plasma cutting so it does take some getting used to. It took me about 20 minutes per side to make the cuts. The cuts were good for my ability. Go too fast and there will be slag build up. I ground the rust off the ground location and the ground cable never heated up. The longer power cable worked well too.All in all, I think this is a good machine for the money for what I'll need it for. No way was I going to pay $1500 or more. I also purchased some extra consumables. The 40 piece set for just under $100 dollars also on Amazon. I've heard some guys say they were able to find this on other sites like Newegg for under $400 but being in Hawaii, Amazon's free shipping is a deal maker.

Lightweight and compact. Best in class for the price no question. LOTOS is a USA company out of California. Excellent customer service over phone. Easy plug n play setup. Max settings at 58A, 65 psi, 2.5 cfm flow. Will work nicely at low pressure on a typical 1/4 NPT pancake compressor. Includes x2 extra nozzles and electrodes. Make sure you buy the proper 5000D compatible consumables for this 5800D unit. Fyi...you can get the consumables here on AMZN or at HDepot online which is great for contractors using their discount. LTP5800D is worth the small money upgrade to bump up to 58A power. BUYING HACK = Wait to buy your accessories after you purchase and register your product warranty on the LOTOS website. You'll get a -20% off code to use on accessories and consumables factory direct. What I did to buy an extended ground clamp. OEM is imo too short at 6.5ft long for proper standoff. Buy the 19ft ground on LOTOS website free ship under $23 with code delivered. Must have or you're gonna slag your new unit placing it on ground that close to your cutting. Bought this to split my 25 year old boiler seams for disposal. Wouldn't budge with sledge and chisel. This took me 15 minutes with my new LOTOS plasma to make +$60 back on the scrap factored into my original purchase price. -1 Star because I bought the extended ground clamp I feel should be standard equipment or at least 13ft long matching the proper torch whip length. This should be a lifetime plasma cutter for average residential/light commercial usage.