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GeneV
Elite Member
Sd455dan, that a good idea about the warranty. Question on switching between 220v and 120v, do you guys switch the torch nozzle tip to smaller size?
Who want to chat about plasma cutters?
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piper184
Platinum Member
My Lotos came without specific wiring but was capable of 120 or 240. I chose 240 and made up a locking plug pigtail that let me plug it into the same outlet my AC/DC welder used. There was no specific instructions for different consumables with different voltages. I thing the transformer just puts out the same current/voltage no matter what the input is. If you use 120 it will use twice the amps as if you use 240. Shouldn't matter to the plasma end of things. 240 is a little more efficient on the input of things as with most appliances.
BTW I looked and my Lotos is an LTP5000D
sd455dan
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I have used mine both 240 and 120V. I disagree on the power output though. It definitely has more output on 240v input.
Some of the dual voltage units even have a separate scale around the setting knob on the faceplate for the 2 input voltages
Agree on the consumables, there are no fine cut or lower power torch parts I am aware of for the AG 60/SG 55.
JBF43
Bronze Member
I bought one of those with a slight variation. Mine is a 3-in-1 machine, tig, stick, and plasma cutter. I love it. The machine works great and is very lightweight for portability when needed, (and that's more often than you might think.) I've had it a couple of years now and have no complaints.
piper184
Platinum Member
sd455dan, interesting that you saw a difference in output on the higher voltage. I had 240 plug already in place and never tried it on 120. Maybe that is why I was so impressed with it first time out. 
I know it will slice through 5/8' high carbon cutting edges with no problems if you don't try to go too fast. If I am not using a very good technique sometimes I will get a lot of slag or closeups behind my cut, but that is on me, not the machine.
Sounds like there are a lot of good machines out there at reasonable prices these days. I was reluctant to give up the oxy/acet setup but not as reluctant as paying for gas and bottle rental prices, not to mention I always seemed to run out in the middle of a project on a weekend when the welding store was closed. Plus it was a 30 mile round trip to go fetch new bottles.
A plasma cutter was one of the best investments in my shop next to a big air compressor and a lathe.
I know it will slice through 5/8' high carbon cutting edges with no problems if you don't try to go too fast. If I am not using a very good technique sometimes I will get a lot of slag or closeups behind my cut, but that is on me, not the machine.
Sounds like there are a lot of good machines out there at reasonable prices these days. I was reluctant to give up the oxy/acet setup but not as reluctant as paying for gas and bottle rental prices, not to mention I always seemed to run out in the middle of a project on a weekend when the welding store was closed. Plus it was a 30 mile round trip to go fetch new bottles.
A plasma cutter was one of the best investments in my shop next to a big air compressor and a lathe.
sd455dan
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Oh I have and will keep my Oxy acetylene, In fact just replaced the hoses and instead of having my Acetylene gauge rebuilt just bought a new Victor. Will need to swap tanks eventually . I am sure it will be a shock when I see the refill price at CO-OP I would keep the Oxy set up just for stuck brake drums and heating bending if nothing else.sd455dan, interesting that you saw a difference in output on the higher voltage. I had 240 plug already in place and never tried it on 120. Maybe that is why I was so impressed with it first time out.
I know it will slice through 5/8' high carbon cutting edges with no problems if you don't try to go too fast. If I am not using a very good technique sometimes I will get a lot of slag or closeups behind my cut, but that is on me, not the machine.
Sounds like there are a lot of good machines out there at reasonable prices these days. I was reluctant to give up the oxy/acet setup but not as reluctant as paying for gas and bottle rental prices, not to mention I always seemed to run out in the middle of a project on a weekend when the welding store was closed. Plus it was a 30 mile round trip to go fetch new bottles.
A plasma cutter was one of the best investments in my shop next to a big air compressor and a lathe.
dcarman
Bronze Member
I don't know what you are going to be cutting but I have a plasma cutter and use the little Eastwood metal cutting saw the most. The plasma cutter requires a lot of air and the consumables are expensive. It is great for shape cutting however.
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GeneV
Elite Member
Guys, I don't think it's different electrode, it's just the hole size in the nozzle tip was I was referring to.
Like look here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGRGL44/?coliid=I2F2TMCPEA2LMD&colid=TJYU61LC7LU&psc=1
See, they recommend 0.030" for 110v, 0.045" for 220v.
Then I also found this guy: All about plasma cutting
Relevant part:
This is what I have found to work with most plasma cutter nozzles/tips that most people have in their shops or garages. NOTE: Orifice hole size 1mm = .03937"
20 amp tip - 0.6mm/.025" - 15 to 20 amps - 50 to 55 psi
30 amp tip - 0.8mm/.030" - 21 to 30 amps - 55 to 60 psi
40 amp tip - 0.9mm/.035" - 31 to 40 amps - 65 to 70 psi
50 amp tip - 1.0mm/.040" - 41 to 50 amps - 65 to 75 psi
60 amp tip - 1.1mm/.044" - 51 to 60 amps - 65 to 75 psi
70 amp tip - 1.2mm/.047" - 61 to 70 amps - 75 to 80 psi
80 amp tip - 1.3mm/.051" - 71 to 80 amps - 75 to 80 psi
Like look here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGRGL44/?coliid=I2F2TMCPEA2LMD&colid=TJYU61LC7LU&psc=1
See, they recommend 0.030" for 110v, 0.045" for 220v.
Then I also found this guy: All about plasma cutting
Relevant part:
This is what I have found to work with most plasma cutter nozzles/tips that most people have in their shops or garages. NOTE: Orifice hole size 1mm = .03937"
20 amp tip - 0.6mm/.025" - 15 to 20 amps - 50 to 55 psi
30 amp tip - 0.8mm/.030" - 21 to 30 amps - 55 to 60 psi
40 amp tip - 0.9mm/.035" - 31 to 40 amps - 65 to 70 psi
50 amp tip - 1.0mm/.040" - 41 to 50 amps - 65 to 75 psi
60 amp tip - 1.1mm/.044" - 51 to 60 amps - 65 to 75 psi
70 amp tip - 1.2mm/.047" - 61 to 70 amps - 75 to 80 psi
80 amp tip - 1.3mm/.051" - 71 to 80 amps - 75 to 80 psi
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GeneV
Elite Member
That's why I don't want to spend a lot, coz I won't be using it all the time, BUT...I find myself hacking off metal things with a recip saw or angle grinder enough to want a better tool to hack them off with.