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There are many plasma cutters made for people who just do light welding jobs, one of them is the Lotos LT5000D. This sturdy plasma cutter is said to work even in harsh environments. Like its more expensive brothers, it’s a dual voltage machine, which easily sends it into the class of versatile metal cutters. With it, you get the IGB technology, which allows you to cut materials easily. It’s essentially an inexpensive plasma cutter less than $500, but it’s not without the features of its expensive counterparts. For instance, its advanced cooling system gives it the endurance it needs.
Portable plasma cutters are designed for small or minor metal cutting tasks, but manufacturers claim that these machines can handle some industrial operations. As long as you stay within the cutting limitations of these devices, you’re good. This 50-amp unit doesn’t come with an air compressor, so you will have to buy one for it to work. Nonetheless, it’s a high frequency DC plasma cutter, so it should be able to cut thick metals more easily than standard DC plasma cutters.
The LT5000D has a maximum severance thickness of 3/4 inch, and as expected it struggled to slice through a 3/4-inch steel. The maximum cut thickness is 1/2 inch, but while it was supposed to cut half an inch of steel cleanly, it left slag that required removal. In our tests, it’s best used for 1/4″ thick steel or anything thinner, especially if you’re running on 110V.
One noticeable thing is the torch that can be set for thumb or finger positions. It’s designed for ease of use even in tight spaces, making the whole machine convenient.
But before you buy this unit, make sure to read through this review to know its strengths and weaknesses.
Lotos LT5000D 50A Plasma Cutter & Specifications
Lotos LT5000D 50A Plasma Cutter
Features
High-Speed Cutting. The high speed cutting mechanism is coupled with precision. It’s suitable for cutting mild steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, aluminum, and copper. One letdown is probably the lack of a pilot arc, which you’ll find on its more expensive brother, the LTP5000D. The torch trigger may be enough for those who can do without the pilot arc and want to save about a hundred dollars or so.
HF Inverter Technology. The internal inverter enables the machine to cut fast and continuously. High-frequency DC plasma cutters can cut thicker metals more efficiently than standard DC plasma cutters. Inverter-based machines, like this one, are lighter than traditional machines. Hence, you’re more likely to take them to remote worksites.
Pulse Width Modulation Technology. PWM and inverter technology generates uniform DC power with rapid modulation. What that means is your LT5000D allows you a consistent cutting process. In addition, PWM technology makes the inverter approximately 30 percent more efficient.
PAPST Advanced German Cooling System. Plasma cutters can overheat quickly without an effective cooling system. Fortunately, the LT5000D is equipped with an advanced cooling system that prevents heat from building up inside. A reliable cooling system keeps the machine running longer, and longer operational duration also increases productivity.
Dual Voltage and Dual Frequency. Portable plasma cutters are built to be more user-friendly, and one user-friendly feature is the dual voltage capability, which is already a common feature among these machines. That means you can use this machine with 110V or 220V. The dual frequency capability also allows the machine to operate at 50 Hz or 60 Hz. One criticism against dual voltage machines is their lackluster performance at 110V. In the case of the LT5000D, it can run on 110V, but its maximum severance capacity drops from 3/4” to 2/5”. Thus, you might want to keep the input voltage at 220. Plasma cutters in this class do have surge protection, and this tool is no exception. So sudden spikes or dips in voltage shouldn’t affect the unit’s cutting performance.
Ease of Use
Eventually, how easy it is to use a machine becomes the deal breaker. Thankfully, the unit includes 6 air hose connections, a ground clamp, a cable, and the torch — basically, all the necessary accessories that make it operable.
Portability is another important factor that contributes to how easy it is to use a plasma cutter. This unit is 15”x16”x12” and is only 22.5 lbs, light enough for you to carry it around.
Should you buy it?
If you want an affordable but powerful plasma cutter, the Lotos LT5000D is more than a good choice. For home hobbyists doing occasional metal cutting for small projects, it’s an excellent choice. It’s worth mentioning that the user-friendly features of this model cater to beginners. Nonetheless, even professional metal fabricators may find this machine useful for a number of tasks. Those who do metal art will find the LT5000D’s precision quite appealing.
Conclusion
Some of the good things about the Lotos LT5000D is its compact design and good build quality despite its price. Currently at around $275, it packs several features, such as automatic voltage detection, HF inverter technology, MOSFET transistors, PWM technology, and PAPST cooling system. It’s hard not to recommend this machine, especially at this price point.
Nonetheless, the LT5000D isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have an MVP plug. It’s noisier than other plasma cutters. Also, it produces some slag even when cutting 1/4” steel, so might want to do some cleanup and polishing afterwards. If, however, you want cleaner cuts, you might want to spend more for the LTP5000D.
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Lotos LT5000D 50A Plasma Cutter
