New Plasma Cutter on a budget

[rider7767]

Hello All
I am getting more and more into fabricating, but the fiance committee would not go for a $1600 plasma cutter, so I did my research and found the LOTOS LTP5000D. I tried it out today and was very pleased. I did a little video on it. Video is worth 1000 Words. Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter - YouTube

 

[coralhead]

Hello All
I am getting more and more into fabricating, but the fiance committee would not go for a $1600 plasma cutter, so I did my research and found the LOTOS LTP5000D. I tried it out today and was very pleased. I did a little video on it. Video is worth 1000 Words. Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter - YouTube

Same one I got us for Christmas. Works nice. Wired it for 220v.

 

[rider7767]

Same one I got us for Christmas. Works nice. Wired it for 220v.

Wiring for 220v is on the to do list.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks for the great video. I thought I needed a plasma cutter and your demonstration confirmed it!

 

[rider7767]

Thanks for the great video. I thought I needed a plasma cutter and your demonstration confirmed it!

I have been wanting one for a while too. Since I retired from the Army, I have to get everything approved through the fiance committee. Got the approval from her earlier this month on a budget. :thumbsup:

 

[AWSubie]

I have cut 1/2 inch mild plate with mine (220v), a bit slow but it did the job and I couldn't be happier with it. I use a harbor freight generator for power.

 

[s219]

These are pretty good units. For folks that live near a Home Depot, they have the same price as Amazon right now:

Lotos 5 Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Inverter Plasma Cutter for Metal, Dual Voltage 11V/22V, 1/2 inch Clean Cut-LTP5D - The Home Depot

Although not all stores carry them so you might have to get it shipped to the store (for free), but if you have an HD gift card or coupon it could be the way to go. I have also seen them on eBay for about $50-60 less, brand new, for example:

Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter Lotos LTP5D Dual Voltage 5 Amp 11V/22V Compact New | eBay

 

[jwmorris]

Looks like the Cut 50 without the display I bought awhile back. I have an Esab on my CNC plasma table but didn稚 want to leave it where I needed one so I gave the cheap one a try. At less than $200 shipped to my door, after putting it to use I am pretty impressed with it. It痴 usefulness ends around 3/8 steel though, it will clean cut 1/2 but very slowly.

Portable Electric Digital Plasma Cutter CUT5� 11�/22�V Compatible & Accessories | eBay

 

[fried1765]

These are pretty good units. For folks that live near a Home Depot, they have the same price as Amazon right now:

Lotos 5� Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Inverter Plasma Cutter for Metal, Dual Voltage 11�V/22�V, 1/2 inch Clean Cut-LTP5���D - The Home Depot

Although not all stores carry them so you might have to get it shipped to the store (for free), but if you have an HD gift card or coupon it could be the way to go. I have also seen them on eBay for about $50-60 less, brand new, for example:

Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter Lotos LTP5���D Dual Voltage 5� Amp 11�V/22�V Compact New | eBay

E-Bay price is $369.99 with free shipping, and NO TAX.

HD price is $410.01 +tax....but if you are a veteran deduct 10%.

$410.01 - 10% = $369.01 +tax, and easy to return, if need be.

If you are a veteran, and live in a no tax, or low tax, state HD might be the better idea.

 

[frugalangler]

Looks like the Cut 50 without the display I bought awhile back. I have an Esab on my CNC plasma table but didn稚 want to leave it where I needed one so I gave the cheap one a try. At less than $200 shipped to my door, after putting it to use I am pretty impressed with it. It痴 usefulness ends around 3/8 steel though, it will clean cut 1/2 but very slowly.

Portable Electric Digital Plasma Cutter CUT5� 11�/22�V Compatible & Accessories | eBay

I have this same unit but in the Pilot Arc version, was about $250US, and I'm amazed at what it will cut. I've gone through some 3/8" with it, took a little time, had to kick the air up a bit to clear out the passage, but it cut it. And, I've found it's stingy on consumables, not nearly as many as what everyone claims to be burning up, and I've found a source online for them very cheap. Just beware, the pilot arc consumables are different than the non-pilot version uses.
Wiring for 250V was simple, whack off the 'Euro-plug' that came with a US adapter, and put on a standard NEMA 20A 250V, good to go.