Plasma Cutter Lotos LT5000D $249
- Thread starter Cartmann
- Start date
gabeancounter
Well-known member
Is it worth the extra $50 for the pilot arc version?
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Heck yea. You don't have to strip down to bare metal before you cut. Saves a ton of time on prep. Really comes in handy in places too tight to fight a grinder.
Speedbird
Well-known member
I bought the pilot arc version of this in June. I've used it a half dozen or so times on 3/16 and 1/4 angle and have no complaints. It does what it's supposed to do and is much easier than fooling with a torch. One thing I did is change the plug to match my welder. Also, the power cord is very short, so plan on having an extension. I would buy it again.
ineedtools
Well-known member
I have one and use it regularly, love it. Paid 299 with 5 sets of extra consumables and still on my second tip. I've abused the **** out of it and it keeps kicking. Sure it's not a Hypertherm but it's also not $1500 either.
I can cut thru 3/8 if you start on the edge or have a hole, rip thru 10g all day long. I estimate it's saved me about 300 4.5" cut off wheels so it's nearly paid for itself.
The pilot arc model wasn't out when I bought mine but if it was and it was an extra $50 I would have thought long and hard about it but still have not a single regret about buying this one.
I use the cheap HF framing squares as guides and use them till they're caput, for corners and other cuts I'll make templates out of scrap wood on the band saw or hole saw and use them till they're burnt up. Sure you can free hand but with a guide you'll spend less time on the grinder because the cuts are smooth and clean and require little attention.
I now rarely use the metal chop saw, the sawzall, or the cutoff wheels to cut stuff, I call it a win and now that I have used one wouldn't want to go back to the way I used to cut stuff.
I can cut thru 3/8 if you start on the edge or have a hole, rip thru 10g all day long. I estimate it's saved me about 300 4.5" cut off wheels so it's nearly paid for itself.
The pilot arc model wasn't out when I bought mine but if it was and it was an extra $50 I would have thought long and hard about it but still have not a single regret about buying this one.
I use the cheap HF framing squares as guides and use them till they're caput, for corners and other cuts I'll make templates out of scrap wood on the band saw or hole saw and use them till they're burnt up. Sure you can free hand but with a guide you'll spend less time on the grinder because the cuts are smooth and clean and require little attention.
I now rarely use the metal chop saw, the sawzall, or the cutoff wheels to cut stuff, I call it a win and now that I have used one wouldn't want to go back to the way I used to cut stuff.
Both the base model listed by OP . . . . for $ 249
. . . . AND . . . . the improved model
. . .
Lotos Technology LTP5000D IGBT Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter - 110/220VAC 1/2" Cut
for $ 299
show as Free Shipping
. . .
> > > BUT the deal ENDS . . . . 11/21/2015 Saturday . . . HURRY !!
Wish had funds for this . . but no luck right now.
. . . . AND . . . . the improved model
. . .
Lotos Technology LTP5000D IGBT Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter - 110/220VAC 1/2" Cut
for $ 299
show as Free Shipping
. . .
> > > BUT the deal ENDS . . . . 11/21/2015 Saturday . . . HURRY !!
Wish had funds for this . . but no luck right now.
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the1nonlyjl
Banned
The question is how this unit compared to eastwood speaking of durability and amount of uses out of each one? Which one will you go after?
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Ack!!! You guys got me. Thanks for the honest reviews and for the reminder from CNGsaves. I have a pilot arc version on the way.
Funny thing, I've been putting off cutting down the framing of my old garage doors with an angle grinder. 12'x14' welded square channel grids. I told my wife to log in to her newegg account so I could buy this thing. She looked at the $300 torch in my cart, then at me, and asked (of course),
"what are you going to use THAT for?"
"I'll be able to cut down those old garage doors."
"Oh, OK."
Funny thing, I've been putting off cutting down the framing of my old garage doors with an angle grinder. 12'x14' welded square channel grids. I told my wife to log in to her newegg account so I could buy this thing. She looked at the $300 torch in my cart, then at me, and asked (of course),
"what are you going to use THAT for?"
"I'll be able to cut down those old garage doors."
"Oh, OK."
the1nonlyjl
Banned
Since no answers to my question from any of you here. I just went ahead to place an order..give it a shot. Not a bad price and many good reviews from amazon. Hopefully I will be happy with it
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Youngguns
Well-known member
Do you need any accessories to run these, or are they plug and play?
gabeancounter
Well-known member
Count me in! Pilot version on the way.
kunkernator
Well-known member
Just to clarify, for those of you who are wondering what the difference is between a pilot arc cutter and a regular one (as I was). This is the best description I could find.
"A plasma torch with a pilot arc will fire a low power plasma arc in the air....this is a DC arc that goes from the torch electrode to the torch nozzle...and the force of the air blows the arc out through the nozzle (tip) orifice. The function? The pilot arc is designed to improve the ability of the plasma arc to transfer to the materials that needs to be cut......as the pilot arc approaches the plate, it burns through any surface issues (paint, rust, masking materials) and quickly transfers the arc....which electronically senses that current is now flowing through the work ground cable...and amperage ramps up (you will see the arc get more intense.
Older technology plasmas, and todays industrial mechanized plasma systems....use a pilot arc that is started with a high voltage, high frequency discharge between the nozzle and electrode to get the cutting air ionized. Newer technology air plasma systems use a "blowback start" ( a moving, spring loaded electrode in the torch) to ionize air, and are able to start a pilot arc without the use of high frequency.
Non Pilot arc torches have to allow electrical contact with the plate to be cut....by physically touching the plate (like scratch starting a TIG). These plasma torches use a high voltage, high frequency discharge that arcs between the torch nozzle (tip) and the plate that ionizes the air in this area, and gets the main arc transferred to the plate.
Pros and Cons?
Blowback style (non high frequency start) torches will transfer an arc to the plate from a fair distance (my Hypertherm Powermax45 will transfer from 1/4" away from the plate). This long transfer distance allows for best plate piercing capability in a mechanized application...by allowing the torch to stay back at a good pierce height which allows the pierce spatter from hitting the torch nozzle orifice....which cause nozzle wear and poor cut quality. The pilot arc also allows for rapid starts on rusty, scaly, or painted materials. Firing the pilot arc in the air will cause nozzle orifice erosion....and should not be done often. I once vivited a user of Hypertherm hand held torches that was doing some cutting inside large storage tanks....it was dark in there and he was using the torch pilot arc as a flashlight. His complaint...short consumable life......we solved his problem by buying him a flashlight.
Non pilot arc torches work well on clean metals, although having to touch start a torch is extremely tough on the torch nozzle (tip), as the arc starts with the nozzle in contact with the plate...and molten metal has no where to go except right back on the nozzle orifice. Once the orifice is no longer perfectly round...cut speeds slow down and cut edge angularity gets worse. Generally....a non pilot torch will not work on a cnc machine...as it is difficult to get the torch to scratch the surface to get the arc started....and, many cnc machines will be adversely affected by the high frequency required to start the torch. It is less expensive to manufacture a non pilot arc plasma system.....and that is the primary reason they are available."
"A plasma torch with a pilot arc will fire a low power plasma arc in the air....this is a DC arc that goes from the torch electrode to the torch nozzle...and the force of the air blows the arc out through the nozzle (tip) orifice. The function? The pilot arc is designed to improve the ability of the plasma arc to transfer to the materials that needs to be cut......as the pilot arc approaches the plate, it burns through any surface issues (paint, rust, masking materials) and quickly transfers the arc....which electronically senses that current is now flowing through the work ground cable...and amperage ramps up (you will see the arc get more intense.
Older technology plasmas, and todays industrial mechanized plasma systems....use a pilot arc that is started with a high voltage, high frequency discharge between the nozzle and electrode to get the cutting air ionized. Newer technology air plasma systems use a "blowback start" ( a moving, spring loaded electrode in the torch) to ionize air, and are able to start a pilot arc without the use of high frequency.
Non Pilot arc torches have to allow electrical contact with the plate to be cut....by physically touching the plate (like scratch starting a TIG). These plasma torches use a high voltage, high frequency discharge that arcs between the torch nozzle (tip) and the plate that ionizes the air in this area, and gets the main arc transferred to the plate.
Pros and Cons?
Blowback style (non high frequency start) torches will transfer an arc to the plate from a fair distance (my Hypertherm Powermax45 will transfer from 1/4" away from the plate). This long transfer distance allows for best plate piercing capability in a mechanized application...by allowing the torch to stay back at a good pierce height which allows the pierce spatter from hitting the torch nozzle orifice....which cause nozzle wear and poor cut quality. The pilot arc also allows for rapid starts on rusty, scaly, or painted materials. Firing the pilot arc in the air will cause nozzle orifice erosion....and should not be done often. I once vivited a user of Hypertherm hand held torches that was doing some cutting inside large storage tanks....it was dark in there and he was using the torch pilot arc as a flashlight. His complaint...short consumable life......we solved his problem by buying him a flashlight.
Non pilot arc torches work well on clean metals, although having to touch start a torch is extremely tough on the torch nozzle (tip), as the arc starts with the nozzle in contact with the plate...and molten metal has no where to go except right back on the nozzle orifice. Once the orifice is no longer perfectly round...cut speeds slow down and cut edge angularity gets worse. Generally....a non pilot torch will not work on a cnc machine...as it is difficult to get the torch to scratch the surface to get the arc started....and, many cnc machines will be adversely affected by the high frequency required to start the torch. It is less expensive to manufacture a non pilot arc plasma system.....and that is the primary reason they are available."
rycam
Active member
Got a link for which consumables kit fits the ltp5000d? I'm not finding a confirmed cross reference?
BLACK DEATH
Well-known member
Which one is better to get of the two you guys are talking about?
Here's the link rycam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4DH1EB4375
Here's the link rycam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4DH1EB4375
Ended up helping my dad order one from newegg. Ended up getting the pilot/arc start. You can get these consumables kits sent to your HD and pick them up there and they are on amazon also.
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LumpyMusic
Well-known member
I've got the pilot arc version. It's a blast to use. This week I've been fabbing bumpers and winch mounts. The little thing cuts through 1/2" steel just fine. Knock a little slag off the back side and it's ready to weld.
CONSUMABLES:
Don't buy the expensive ones marketed for the Lotos. Instead buy the less expensive ones marketed for the SG-55 and others -
www.amazon.com/dp/B00WSAIUFM
The machine comes with a water trap/air pressure regulator. Don't set the air pressure too high. Around 60 psi is right for me for everything from sheet metal to half inch plate. Just enough air to make the cut complete. Too much and it makes the cut edges rough and blows out more slag.
Sgt Lumpy
CONSUMABLES:
Don't buy the expensive ones marketed for the Lotos. Instead buy the less expensive ones marketed for the SG-55 and others -
www.amazon.com/dp/B00WSAIUFM
The machine comes with a water trap/air pressure regulator. Don't set the air pressure too high. Around 60 psi is right for me for everything from sheet metal to half inch plate. Just enough air to make the cut complete. Too much and it makes the cut edges rough and blows out more slag.
Sgt Lumpy
TheWhiteMamba
Well-known member
Thanks OP! I'm in for one. Obviously, not as great of a warranty when compared to Eastwood, but a comparable unit at Eastwood was about ~$500 so I hope this works out!
the1nonlyjl
Banned
Mine came today but im still out of town til tomorrow! Cant wait to open it!
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krouchchocolate
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Messages
- 265
I couldn't find the pilot arc version. How much was that selling for?
the1nonlyjl
Banned
Fk! 456!??? I was in limbo of figuring out which to lead toward to Eastwood or Lottos. I knew nothing else beat $299. Had to jump right in!
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BLACK DEATH
Well-known member
I missed out ..... Dam it
LandofRath
Well-known member
Now the best price is 400 at home depot.. mmm Still on fence as to the best brand to pick up for my needs.. When one of you has yours can you tell me what the minimum size air compressor you can run it on?
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LandofRath
Well-known member
Thats lame.. hope you get it sorted out. if It was still on I would have picked one up.
TheWhiteMamba
Well-known member
Man I hope you get that sorted out! I ordered mine and it took a 1.5 days to get a confirmation that my card was charged. Shipped immediately but has been sitting in Oakland for 2 days. I doubt I will be able to get to it this weekend to test it out/review it, but once I do, I'll let you know what I find.
the1nonlyjl
Banned
Same here!!!! Heres a pic of this beauty! Cant wait to play with it in the spring!
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