Hobby Plasma Cutter Choice Question?

[garagemark]

Yea, the war wagon has relented! Finally time to add a plasma cutter to the shop. As a weekend warrior I cannot justify a Hypertherm or Hobart class machine. As far as I can foresee I will need nothing more than a Chinese 'Cut 50' platform; I'm in the 1/4" and less camp 99% of the time. And most of the metal I cut is clean. So, a stop off at most of the "best of" review sites reveals a recurring pattern of two highly rated weekender models in the under $500 US range. They are:

https://www.amazon.com/PRIMEWELD-Pre...seaslugteam-20
and
https://www.amazon.com/Lotos-LTP5000...seaslugteam-20

Both advertise 1/2" max cut, more than enough for my tinkering. The question then becomes: do I need or want pilot arc technology? The Primeweld is a contact start and the Lotos is a no-touch model. The 90 bucks difference is not a show stopper but there’s no need to spend it if I don’t need it. Will life be easier with pilot arc? Is there a third unit I have overlooked (keeping in mind I will not be spending more than 5C notes on this purchase)?

All opinions accepted and appreciated

Mark

[Dan Dubeau]

I bought this one back last year and so far it's been awesome. No complaints. Dual voltage, blowback start, Ipt-60 torch. CNC port (for a planned future cnc table)

https://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Non-.../dp/B076FDQC2P

I went through all the same research etc that you probably have, and decided to take a gamble. So far it has paid off, and been a very valuable addition to my home shop capabilities.

[Dedave]

I have a Lotos 3 in 1 plasma, tig, stick, with pilot arc. Works great. I did cut 1" mild steel and 1/2 aluminum with it, not the prettiest but it did cut it. Works much better on smaller stuff. Tips and such are cheap and readily available.

[Black Forest]

Get the pilot arc start. Absolutely! You will save the extra money in consumables in no time at all.

[garagemark]

Thank you all for your opinions. I sent the link to the Lotos home so I could look it over again this weekend, and I found out just this morning that the War Wagon ordered it! May have to keep her now.

Indeed just after I wrote the OP I decided that it'd be stupid not to get a pilot arc start machine. What could be the down side? Nothing. So I'm glad I sent the link home that I did. It's on the way.

Thanks again,
Mark

[Planeman41]

I have been thinking about getting one of these. However I already have oxyacetelyne with a cutting torch and can't see spending the money as it would be just for hobby use. Is there any real advantage of a plasma cutter over a oxyacetelyne cutting torch?

[jbacc]

I have been thinking about getting one of these. However I already have oxyacetelyne with a cutting torch and can't see spending the money as it would be just for hobby use. Is there any real advantage of a plasma cutter over a oxyacetelyne cutting torch?

You can cut aluminum with a plasma cutter....

[Dedave]

I have been thinking about getting one of these. However I already have oxyacetelyne with a cutting torch and can't see spending the money as it would be just for hobby use. Is there any real advantage of a plasma cutter over a oxyacetelyne cutting torch?

Many advantages. Cost of operation is one, safety if you set it down between cuts, able to cut stainless, brass, aluminum non ferrous metals.

Safety is a real consideration. If you get an acetylene leak, you have danger of deadly explosion. When doing multiple cuts and having to reposition or set the torch down, the plasma is OFF, won't burn you, won't fall and start a fire, is faster to resume work especially if you had to shut the torch off.

The gas axe has it's value being versatile and able to preheat items, or heat nuts and bolts for removal. You can weld about anything with a gas torch. But for cutting, the plasma wins hands down on convenience efficiency and cost.

[Sparky_NY]

I have been thinking about getting one of these. However I already have oxyacetelyne with a cutting torch and can't see spending the money as it would be just for hobby use. Is there any real advantage of a plasma cutter over a oxyacetelyne cutting torch?

In addition to what DeDave posted.... I got a plasma a few years back, a harbor freight unit that was nearly new, for $150. The low price is what made me make the jump. I have had oxyacetylene for many many years and it has always served my needs well, so although plasma was always tempting I never justified the plasma. WELL... now that I have had it for a few years, it falls into the category of one of those tools you wonder how you ever lived without it before.

The qualities I appreciate are the ability to make VERY neat cuts, very little heat induced into the piece being cut and cutting very thin materials. I recently cut some painted sheet metal being repurposed, it only burned the paint about 1/16 of a inch each side ! The cut edges are so prefect they almost look machined (assuming you use a straight edge).

Just wait, you will become very spoiled with the new toy !

[BobinOK]

Talked me into it, been thinking about buying one of the home shop cutters for a while you helped with the decision. Ordered the LTP5000D and with my free Prime trial should be here tomorrow.

Something that is a little confusing is the package of consumables that Amazon suggests. One of the questions asks if it will work on the new brown version of the 5000D and the answer is no! In another question the answer is yes! I went ahead and ordered it thinking I could always return it if the NO answer was accurate.
https://www.amazon.com/Plasma-LTP500...548225-4417704

[Dan Dubeau]

One thing often not mentioned when talking about plasma vs oxy/fuel, is that you also need a decent compressor to supply the plasma with large volumes of dry air. So far my little 80gal oiless CH screamer has been adequate (barely) but an upgrade is in the future. Not trying to sway you, or anyone away from plasma as it's an awesome addition to any fab shop, but it might be an expensive surprise when you find out your current compressor won't keep up, or your air's not dry enough so cut quality and consumable life is terrible. Just something to think about.

[Planeman41]

I think I will pass on buying a plasma torch. My use is a sometimes thing and I have bandsaws, shears, and other methods of cutting bass and aluminum.

[BobinOK]

Hoping my 5 horse 80 gal compressor is enough. it will keep up with my blasting cabinet. One of the Youtube videos I watched the guy was using what couldn't have been more than a couple horse 20 gal. He did say he needed a larger compressor but he was cutting. Probably spent allot of time waiting for the compressor to catch up.

[Dan Dubeau]

You should be fine with that unless you're running a CNC table constantly cutting. My little compressor keeps up with my hand cutting, but I don't push the issue with it...... A bigger compressor is on my upgrade list, but not at the top yet.

[Willy]

Dan raises a good point, the importance of lots of clean dry air can not be over-stated.

But yes, it being able to cut any electrically conductive metal is definitely a big bonus. The fact that it is much more user-friendly because of the lack of a constant flame associated to a cutting torch also helps big time since you don't have to constantly monitor where that flame is, either during a cut or before and after while keeping that flame away from doing damage to the unintended.

I did a large metal building and roof fabrication job last year and the plasma cutter saved me lots of time, amazing how handy it was for that job. I literally couldn't think of doing that job the old way using mechanical cutters, so fast!
Cutting metal around the shop in years past has always seen me use a cutting torch. I have used one for many decades both at home and at work and was actually quite proud of the surgical precision I could achieve with it.

However between zip wheels, Sawzalls, and plasma cutters I hardly use the cutting torch at all. The O/A setup still comes in handy though for heating and brazing.