LOTOS has always been an esteemed brand amongst the community of metal fabricators who look for a machine that doesn’t deprive them of the modern technologies and convenience in plasma cutting just because the budget is limited.
The manufacturer brings a variety of plasma cutters, multi-process welders, and similar other units, most of them having something in common like the inverter technology, MOSFETs, PAPST cooling system, and pilot arc.
However, each unit has some specialties alongside these common features, and we’ll reveal the truth in a separate Lotos plasma cutter review for all of the eight units.
Lotos Plasma Cutter Review: 8 Models Explained
While you’ll see the manufacturer sells over a dozen plasma cutters, welders, and multi-process machines, we’ve picked up these eight models for they’re known to be affordable and versatile with great usability.
1. Lotos CT520D Plasma Cutter, TIG And Stick Welder Combo
This plasma cum welding machine features rated cut thickness up to 1/2 inch and severance up to 3/4 inch with a duty cycle up to 60% @ 50A and 100% @ 40A. The same can be received using 200A and 150A for welding.
While it packs a lot of things in its housing, and the price isn’t so high, you can’t bring it for heavy-duty performance, especially when plasma cutting is concerned.
Pros
- An affordable lightweight combo machine for both welding and plasma cutting
- HF arc start for cutting and welding with precision
- A TIG welder with sound mechanism for welding thin and thick metals
- A reliable Stick/MMA welder for detailing metals
- Essential tools included for quick setup and connection to the air compressor
Cons
- Short ground cable
- No 220 V – 110 V Converter Pigtail
>>Lotos CT520D Review<<<
2. Lotos LT5000D Air Inverter Plasma Cutter
Rated cut thickness is 3/8 inch and it goes up to 5/8 inch for mild steel with a slight decrease for aluminum and stainless steel (up to 1/2 inch). Its duty cycle is rated at 60% at 50 amps.
The pilot arc works as it should except for some compromise on the performance when cutting aluminum and expanded metals is involved. Special features include LED indicators for helping the user with troubleshooting.
Pros
- A budget plasma cutter built for helping individuals with affordability and usability in mind
- Inverter technology for a lightweight build and improved functions with digital read-out for accurate display of the operating data
- MOSFET transistors for ensuring precise current output
- Good duty cycle to reduce idle time during plasma cutting sessions
- Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) system for efficiency in the control of the current flow
- PAPST Cooling System for fast yet efficient cooling
Cons
- Susceptible to a considerably shorter duty life unless usage rules are strictly followed
>>>Lotos LT5000D Review<<<
3. Lotos LTP5000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
The unit allows you to cut through 1/2-inch an aluminum, copper, or stainless-steel plate. You can go thicker with mild steel (up to 5/8 inch). The rated duty cycle is 60% which is enough for small plasma cutting jobs.
Its inverter technology, MOSFET transistors, and Pulse-Width Modulation ensure that you’re getting a lightweight machine that provides consistent power and reliable usability in your day-to-day plasma cutting endeavors.
Pros
- Standard cut and severance thickness for 1/2-inch copper and aluminum, 5/8-inch mild steel, and 1/2-inch stainless steel
- Digital air pressure monitoring system with useful safety features
- Essential accessories and components for helping users save on separate purchases
- Easy setup (mostly preassembled) with easy-to-read documentation
- Built-in carry handle and four legs for quick portability with stability around the jobsite
Cons
- Loud operation (noise level up to 100 dB)
- Slow cutting speed (around 20 IPM or less depending on the circumstances)
>>>Lotos LTP5000D Review<<<
4. Lotos LTPDC2000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter Tig Welder and Stick Welder 3 in 1 Combo
Rated cut thickness is 1/2 inch and severance is 3/4 inch for all common metals with electrical conductivity. Welding is recommended as long as you’re doing it on ferrous metals, moly, stainless steel, etc.
Nothing extraordinary can be told about its duty cycle which is 60% at the maximum amperage. You’ll have the same pilot arc functions and cooling system as those in the LTP5000D and a few other models.
Pros
- A multi-process unit within budget
- Pilot arc and HF start for precise, improved cuts and consumable life
- Adjustable striking arc current for reliable arc starting
- Pre-installed air filter regulator, NPT, and type D plug (industry standard) for easy setup and connection to an external air compressor
- Lightweight design with carry handle for portability
Cons
- Not compatible with most air compressors on the market (difficulty involved in finding the right one)
>>>Lotos LTPDC2000D Review<<<
5. Lotos LT3500 35Amp Air Plasma Cutter
As a basic plasma cutter, it won’t help you get very far. But its cutting abilities aren’t exaggerated, meaning that you can expect clean cuts through 2/5-inch metal and severance cuts through 3/5-inch workpieces without much roughness and a lot of dross.
It uses the typical inverter system. Its duty cycle isn’t high enough (only 35%) if you want to have the cutting actions ongoing for much longer than 2-3 minutes. Considering the price, these factors won’t hurt you at all.
Pros
- More affordable than most other plasma units from the manufacturer
- Suitable for cutting most of the electrically conductive metals like aluminum, copper, steel, etc.
- Pilot arc combined with an excellent HF start function for precise cuts
- Lightweight and mostly preassembled with only a few steps for making it ready
- An efficient cooling system that does its job fast
Cons
- No dual voltage system
>>>Lotos LT3500 Review<<<
6. Lotos CUT60D Review
One of the key specialties of the CUT60D plasma cutter is the different pilot arc functions which allow the user to switch the plasma functions among continuous, non-continuous, and gouging mode. These varieties of arc actions help you achieve the precision and flexibility you need while working on steel, aluminum, copper, alloy, expanded, other metals.
Using a Trafimet ERGOCUT S65 torch that incorporates the blowback method to start the arc, the CNC ready unit poses no risks for your CNC setup and other electric appliances. The automatic dual voltage/frequency system is a huge plus.
At 20-30 A DC, rated clean-cut thickness is 1/3 inch and maximum severance thickness is 1/2 inches. At 20-60 A DC, rated clean-cut thickness is 4/5 inch and maximum severance thickness is 1 1/4 inches. You might experience some alterations to these numbers. However, you can expect consistency by up to 80% under most circumstances.
Pros
- An affordable CNC ready plasma machine with multiple plasma arc functions for helping individuals involved in household tasks, auto body restoration, etc.
- A lightweight model with carry handle and other accessories for easy setup
- Blow-back start facilitates the electrode to energize plasma stream for powerful arc and efficient operation
- Post-flow control for helping increase consumable life and cooling the torch
- 2T/4T Functions for easy control over the trigger while doing the cutting
Cons
- Slow cutting speed for stainless steel plate
7. Lotos LTP6000 Review
Here, we’ve got another HF inverter plasma system that uses V-MOSFETs and Pulse Width Modulation (PMW) for ensuring the delivery of concentrated and consistent current to your cutting surface for precise cuts through 3/4-inch metals and sever cuts through 1-inch metal.
The CP132 torch features HF contact start to allow for drag cutting and piercing through aluminum, steel, and copper maintaining up to a rated 60% duty cycle at the maximum amperage. The package includes a consumable set containing nozzles, electrodes, shield cups, and stand guard.
Pros
- A budget-friendly model with adequate power output and duty cycle
- Efficient when used for drag cutting and piercing
- Suitable for fabrication, factory maintenance, auto body repairs, and restoration
- High frequency start for cutting metals like aluminum and copper with consistency
- Easy setup requiring no additional tools except an external air compressor
Cons
- Not suitable for carrying by one hand (two carry handles on two sides)
- Not very efficient when it comes to keeping the amount of dross low
8. Lotos LTP 7000 Review
Both LTP 7000 and LTP6000 are very close to each other in terms of features and price except for the torch, cut thickness, dimensions, and weight. In fact, it’ll hardly be an exaggeration if you take it as more powerful than others reviewed here.
The CB172 torch features a 2-prong connection and has a 17-foot cable for allowing extended reach. Drag cutting, piercing, and cutting edge are all the tasks the unit has been designed for. Its piercing abilities are a little overrated, and one can find it out if the workpieces aren’t well prepared for the job.
Rated clean-cut thickness is 7/8 inch, and the severance thickness is rated at 1.25 inches at the maximum amperage through aluminum, brass, steel, and other metals including expanded and rusty pieces. The pilot arc system uses HF start for giving the user an edge in any plasma cutting job.
Pros
- An affordable plasma system with high amperage output and cut thickness for satisfying diverse needs
- Inverter technology along with Pulse-Width Modulation and V-MOSFETs to ensure the current provided remains precise and stable
- High-quality torch with pilot arc and HF start for allowing the operator to enjoy great efficiency while dealing with a variety of metals
- Excellent duty cycle with the PAPST cooling system keep up that cycle consistently
- A functional post-flow system to enhance the life of the components and help maintain their efficiency
Cons
- Not suitable for carrying by one hand (two carry handles mounted)
- No consumables included
Final Verdict
Choosing a plasma machine that is specifically able to meet your preferences can still be tricky since multiple models may look like the ‘ONE’ for your job. Well, you can use these quick insights.
Choose the LTP 7000 if you dislike compromises on cut thickness for hard and expanded metals. The LTP6000 isn’t a bad choice either only when you aren’t afraid of dealing with the quantity of dross.
The CT520D works wonder for those who need a combo machine at the fraction of the cost of models from other brands. However, the LT3500 is your best bet if price is the only thing you want to care about.
If you intend to carry out CNC applications, the CUT60D is there to help. Another worthy pick can be the LTPDC2000D, but you have to be diligent enough to find the right air compressor.
Both LT5000D and LTP5000D are built to serve almost the same purposes. So, the ‘usability’ factor doesn’t vary much between them.
Now that you’re aware of the key points about each unit separately, you should be able to decide more comfortably and wisely. Still got questions? Well, write to us anytime!
