Plasma Cutter Lotos LT5000D $249

[andgott]

Mine will be delivered tomorrow

Mine too... I've already got the babysitter lined up so I can play with it

Wow- It was actually delivered TODAY, a day early... I'm on my way to the shop to hook things up, I'll report back

 

[andgott]

I officially have a new favorite tool- This thing is cool...

I unpacked it and put it all together. Only took about 15 minutes, counting the time it took me to piece together a pigtail adapter so I could plug it in to my outlet.

It DOES have a NEMA L-6 30 plug on it. It is a screwed- on plug, not molded on to the wire, so you can easily remove it and replace it with whatever you need. I happened to have a short section of cord with the plug I needed on the other end, so I just attached an appropriate plug to the end of that.

I temporarily connected the air regulator, just so I could use it. I'll do a better job of installing it later.

Ok, So how does it cut?

Sorry, I was holding the phone and cutting, so not the best.

I cut some 1/8" up, it cuts like butter! I did some straight cuts, and some freehand 'playing'...

I had a couple of scraps around, so I tried a piece of 3/4 round, that was REALLY rusty-

Did OK, Not pretty but it did the job. You can see some of the 1/8" that I had been playing with in the background, including the smiley face

1/2 coil springs were NO problem-

Cut right through.

I am looking forward to trying it out on some thicker plate- I need to cut a table top out of 1/4", I'll be heading to the scrapyard tomorrow to get a piece.

It comes with some extra consumables, too- I'm not sure how fast it goes through them- But you've got enough in the box to get you going.

 

[06 DIESEL]

After seeing that I bit the bullet on one, I might not use it right away, but I am sure it will come in handy when I restore my '67 International Loadstar.

 

[kxlexus]

I got mine today too. No report though. I need to buy a 50 amp plug to match the receptacles in my shop. This will be a good time to make an extension cord for this and my Hobart Mig welder

 

[Speedbird]

I need to buy a 50 amp plug to match the receptacles in my shop. This will be a good time to make an extension cord for this and my Hobart Mig welder[/QUOTE]
Exactly what I did. Extension cord works for plasma and mig.

 

[kxlexus]

I need to buy a 50 amp plug to match the receptacles in my shop. This will be a good time to make an extension cord for this and my Hobart Mig welder

Exactly what I did. Extension cord works for plasma and mig.[/QUOTE]

That is the approach I am taking too. One extension cord for two jobs.
I am hoping the plasma cutter keeps me from having to buy an O/A torch. Running out of room in my shop.

 

[andgott]

I am hoping the plasma cutter keeps me from having to buy an O/A torch. Running out of room in my shop.

It'll take the place of my OA torch for cutting- but I'll still need it around for Heating things (stubborn bolts, etc).

This thing is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, a very compact portable unit.

 

[ejkuhl]

Mine arrived today. Put it together in a few minutes and used the 110 plug I had on hand. Cut through 1/8 steel like nothing on 110 and my pancake compressor. Waiting for my 220 plug to arrive to really test it out with the big compressor. Going to use my 30 amp generator cord for double duty.

 

[andgott]

Just a quick note, in case some of you young bucks out there haven't figured out how to justify tools like this to the 'boss'...

Make something that THEY need, or that helps them. Grandma and Pop-pop were leaving, so I ran down to the shop and whipped up this quick steel puzzle for my Daughter, to keep her busy-

It kept her occupied, and stopped the crying! I've got to work on my freehand a bit.

I've also got an ornament for the tree on the way, too- I make one every year, and didn't have time to do so yet this year. But, since I've got my NEW toy, well...

Oh- It also helps that I bought HER a new machine too, for the Sewing room...

 

[ejkuhl]

andgott,

did yours come from amazon? If so, they have 2 different versions. Mine has a red handle with the trigger on the bottom and a wire standoff while yours is black with a trigger on top and a stamped/machined standoff. Interesting. I hope I got the better version

 

[rs4-380]

I ordered the pilot arc version off amazon and got the red handled torch as well. Out of the box it worked fine and cut everything I threw at it(which seems to be not something you can take for granted). The wire standoff lasted about 2 cuts until it broke in half, but that could be attributed to user error. There seems to be a pretty steep learning curve for a first time plasma user. I need to spend some time figuring out pressure/amperage settings for what I'm cutting.
I also ordered the SG-55 consumables and everything fits fine, including the ceramic cups.

 

[andgott]

did yours come from amazon? If so, they have 2 different versions. Mine has a red handle with the trigger on the bottom and a wire standoff while yours is black with a trigger on top and a stamped/machined standoff. Interesting. I hope I got the better version

Yes- It is from Amazon. I noticed that there were two different standoffs... I was expecting the wire but had this one instead. I'm not sure which is 'better', just different. I know that the consumables pack I ordered had one of the wire standoffs in it, so I guess I'll see which is easier to use.

 

[kxlexus]

Mine is the Pilot Arc version, it came from Amazon. My gun looks just like the one in Andgott's picture.

Steve

 

[LumpyMusic]

They're back on sale at NewEgg.com. They went off sale for a while but they're back.

My home made circle cutter, cutting 3/16 mild steel. Settings - About 35A, 65 psi, torch travel speed about 1" per second -

Sgt Lumpy

 

[cwlo]

Pretty slick lumpy.

So how did you move the torch smoothly....one hand on torch, one hand on the end of the arm?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[boomerangg22]

dang i hate you people. lol
just kidding.
not sure how i could convince my wife. guess i got a few days to come up with something.
thanks for sharing your new toys.

 

[andgott]

dang i hate you people. lol
just kidding.
not sure how i could convince my wife. guess i got a few days to come up with something.

Easy- Make her some ornaments!!

 

[LandofRath]

Did anyone on this thread any issues? seeing lots of good, with all the bad mouthing I figured at least one would be bad. Seams like there holding up alright to me.

 

[ShakinLM7]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4DH1E73077&ignorebbr=1

 

[Daedalus]

I finally got around to using mine tonight. Just doodled with it on an old garage door frame I plan to take down. It was late, and it was a bit loud with the air hissing, so I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a complete dud. Seems to work fine. The metal I was cutting is painted, so the cutter had a bit of trouble a few times getting a good arc, but once it caught, it was fine till I let the trigger go. It was thin metal, maybe .090, but it cut through it pretty quick. I moved my hand fast, like I was spray-painting something, and it cut complete through on most of the passes. Will need to spend a lot more time with it. I'll also need an extension cord I think...or at least a long groundwire. The cord to the cutter tip is fairly long, but the groundwire is short. Oh, and the battery in my welding helmet is dead, and it's not a common size of course, so off to Amazon for some new batteries.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Pretty slick lumpy.

So how did you move the torch smoothly....one hand on torch, one hand on the end of the arm?

Thanks,

Chris

Yes, exactly. Start with the jig in the "weirdest", cross handed position so that you can make a complete revolution without having to reposition your hands. Fender washers between the work and a lock nut on the very bottom to keep it from tightening up while you rotate it.

And for a table to cut on -

Recycled shopping cart found in the desert, cellphone display grid found in a WalMart dumpster, Weber BBQ kettle found on neighbor's curb on bulk trash week.

Sgt Lumpy

 

[ezover]

just ordered mine today, Santa needs to take better notes next year.

 

[cwlo]

Lumpy great stuff, and I love your ingenuity in recycling. Its amazing how much metal stuff is available on the curb when you have the eyes to see!

 

[kxlexus]

I finally put a 50Amp plug on mine and tried it out. The fan would run and air came out of the torch, but it wouldn't cut. I ground off my already clean work piece and tried again. This time it tried to cut. Just spit tiny bits of molten metal off the scrap steel. Shut it off and double checked everything and tried again. This time it still wouldn't cut and I saw fire coming out of the side of the plasma cutter! Shut it off and going to contact Amazon about getting a replacement.

 

[TerryH]

Says "sold out" on the latest link.

 

[kxlexus]

I received my replacement today. It works fine. There are minor differences in the two units.

 

[boomerangg22]

looks like it's back in stock
sale ends 12/31

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4DH1E73077&ignorebbr=1

still wish I could get one

 

[LandofRath]

I received my replacement today. It works fine. There are minor differences in the two units.

maybe slightly older model or something.. Seams like finding this sale is not ever going to be much of an issue.

Think I am opting for a different one though

 

[TMC]

What were the differences kxlexus I'm curious?

I better fire mine up and make sure it works.

 

[LumpyMusic]

I finally put a 50Amp plug on mine and tried it out. The fan would run and air came out of the torch, but it wouldn't cut. I ground off my already clean work piece and tried again. This time it tried to cut. Just spit tiny bits of molten metal off the scrap steel. Shut it off and double checked everything and tried again. This time it still wouldn't cut and I saw fire coming out of the side of the plasma cutter! Shut it off and going to contact Amazon about getting a replacement.

Sounds like your inner tip is loose. Unscrew the pink ceramic thing. Unscrew the nickel/chrome dome looking thing. Check the inner "*****" thing. If it's not screwed in tight, the torch will behave as you describe. Also make sure the end of the "*****" is flat or nearly flat. If it's dished out (as it gets with wear) it will also behave as you describe.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[kxlexus]

What were the differences kxlexus I'm curious?

I better fire mine up and make sure it works.

On this one, the torch was different. The trigger is on the bottom and the previous was on top. The torch standoff is different. This torch came in a reusable zippered bag. Biggest difference is this one works!

 

[kxlexus]

Sounds like your inner tip is loose. Unscrew the pink ceramic thing. Unscrew the nickel/chrome dome looking thing. Check the inner "*****" thing. If it's not screwed in tight, the torch will behave as you describe. Also make sure the end of the "*****" is flat or nearly flat. If it's dished out (as it gets with wear) it will also behave as you describe.


Sgt Lumpy

Thank you. That is nice to know. Wish I would have know earlier, probably didn't need to go back. I will remember this and know what to do in the future.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[TMC]

Thanks kxlexus...Mine has the zippered bag and bottom trigger as well.
Glad it worked out for you!

 

[Thedave1164]

Mine is sitting at the local UPS shed, arrived with plenty of time to be delivered yesterday, but because brown said it to be delivered Monday they didn't process it.

Sometimes I really hate UPS.

 

[andgott]

Mine is sitting at the local UPS shed, arrived with plenty of time to be delivered yesterday, but because brown said it to be delivered Monday they didn't process it.

Sometimes I really hate UPS.

I hate that. So close you can taste it.

 

[rs4-380]

used mine again last night. Still working

 

[kxlexus]

Put mine to a test yesterday. Cut some hardened steel that was 1/2" thick.
It cut it very good! I know it is supposed to cut 1/2" steel but I was surprised it did so well.

Steve

 

[andgott]

I've already used mine quite a bit and I'm happy with it! I have used it to make some cuts that would have been a real pain to do with any other tool. I wish I would have had it when I cut the old floors out of my 66 ford!

 

[krouchchocolate]

Finally tested my unit after sitting in my room for a month. Definitely can't really cut 1/8" thickness without tripping my 15 amp breaker (I think that is what my garage 110v is rated for). Tried at different amperage from 25-40 amps. Kept tripping it. Now I need to try to use this machine on a 220v outlet to see how it does!

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Finally tested my unit after sitting in my room for a month. Definitely can't really cut 1/8" thickness without tripping my 15 amp breaker (I think that is what my garage 110v is rated for). Tried at different amperage from 25-40 amps. Kept tripping it. Now I need to try to use this machine on a 220v outlet to see how it does!

Try to run the machine on 220 volts and it will be "happy"...... Higher the voltage (220 volts) means lower amps so the machine will run cooler and perform better.