Metal fabrication isn’t all about making welds and joining two pieces of metal together. There may be situations where you have to make cuts as part of your project. Either to correct mistakes or to cut pieces of metal to your specifications, you need a reliable and high-performance plasma cutter to do the job. Many fabricators would argue that a plasma cutter is as essential as a welder.
So what is plasma cutting anyway? As the name of the process implies, plasma cutting involves the fourth state of matter to make clean cuts into metal materials. When you start a plasma arc, what actually happens is that ionized air gets heated up into plasma which is so hot that it slices through steel and metal like a hot knife on butter.
So are you excited to meet your first plasma cutter? We did all the research and came up with the best starter 110V plasma cutter for you. Keep reading to find out more!
What Is the Best 110V Plasma Cutter For Your Needs?
Lotos Technology offers a dual-voltage plasma cutter as part of its ever-growing product portfolio. The LOTOS LTP5000D is available on Amazon for $399.00 and has already received thousands of positive reviews on the platform. This plasma cutter provides you with a well-rounded list of specifications. As a plus, it comes with a three-year warranty too!
If you are eager to know more about this 110V/220V plasma cutter, keep reading!
Specs at a Glance
- Available on Amazon for as low as $399.00
- Capable of non-touch pilot arc plasma cutting
- Has a maximum severance cut of ¾-inch thick at 220-240V
- Evenly and cleanly cuts metal with ½-inch thickness
- Can be used to work with all sorts of metal and steel materials
- Compatible with PCS22 and PCS33 spec consumables
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
- Can be set up quickly using the pre-installed quick-connect regulator
- Capable of being used with 110V/120V and 220V/240V sockets
Non-touch Pilot Arc
Being the most efficient and quickest way to slice through most kinds of metal and steel materials, plasma cutting takes advantage of the inherent qualities of plasma. Its incredibly high temperatures instantly melt through the material, resulting in a clean cut. However, due to this very reason, parts of the plasma torch need to be replaced frequently.
Thanks to the non-touch pilot arc feature of the LOTOS LTP5000D, you have to spend less on buying consumables. Instead of touching the tip of the torch with your workpiece, you can start a plasma arc without even making contact with the base metal. This helps the consumable tip degrade more slowly than it would otherwise.
Cut Through Thick Metals
If you see yourself working with various kinds of metal, you need a plasma cutter that can easily cut through any of them in an instant. Such a powerful cutter must keep up with your workflow and be able to do fine work on your metal workpieces. That’s why you have to check for the maximum severance thickness that any plasma cutter can work with before you take it home.
The LOTOS LTP5000D has a maximum severance thickness of ¾ inches. What this means is that it can slice through metals with ¾-inch thicknesses to the extent that they break off into two separate pieces. However, it won’t be pretty. If you want a clean-cut, you have a maximum thickness of ½” to work with. For most metal fabricators, this is enough leeway for most welding projects.
Power Source Flexibility
As mentioned above, plasma cutters are very powerful pieces of equipment. They take advantage of the fourth state of matter, plasma, to make clean cuts in very strong materials. So when operating such a powerful device, you have to keep it properly juiced up with electricity. However, you may encounter incompatible power outlets at work and at home.
Designed as dual voltage equipment, the LOTOS LTP5000D can be used with most outlets in the country. Whether you have a 110V at home or a 220V at your workplace, this capable and flexible plasma cutting machine can work with both. You no longer have to always be anxious about plugging the cutter into the wrong power outlet!
Portable Plasma Cutter
Working on a big project can be an equally big challenge for fabricators. In addition to finding a workspace large enough to fit the project, you also have to move around from one side of the space to the other. If you have to remain mobile as you work, you need either long cables and hoses or a machine that can easily be carried by hand from one spot to the next.
Weighing at 26 lbs. or 11.8 kg, the LOTOS LTP5000D can be lifted up with one hand by the average metal fabricator. This makes it the most suitable companion as you work with exceptionally large welding projects. This relatively lightweight design was achieved by using Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) technology to reduce the weight of the built-in transformer.
German-Designed Cooling System
Due to how energy-intensive plasma cutters are, it’s inevitable that they overheat. Overheating can damage the delicate and sensitive internal components of your plasma cutting machine. That’s why such machines come with a duty cycle rating. For the LOTOS LTP5000D, it’s set at 60% at 50 amps. However, there can be instances where overheating cannot be avoided.
Equipped with a PAPST cooling system, the LOTOS LTP5000D can keep itself cool for longer periods of time. You need not worry about overheating issues as the advanced German-designed cooling system can maintain stable temperatures during operation. If you work in a demanding environment, you can rely on this plasma cutter to hold itself together.
Drawbacks
One of the advantages of this plasma cutter is its dual voltage capability. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with the needed pigtail to make it work with 110V sockets. It has to be purchased separately. This can be a huge disappointment for fabricators who are looking forward to using this plasma cutting machine with 110V sockets from the get-go.
Another shortcoming that seasoned fabricators might encounter is the limited warranty it comes with. Three years is too short compared to those offered by more established brands. Aside from the short warranty coverage, the availability of parts and components might also be an issue since the machine is made by a relatively small company.
Lastly, there are cheaper alternatives that can perform well enough for your basic cutting needs.
What Is the Best 110V Plasma Cutter for Sale?
Did the LOTOS LTP5000D fall short of your expectations? If so, you should take a look at other plasma cutters offered on the market. They, too, have their fair share of shortcomings but with their own set of features and list of specifications, any of them might be your next plasma cutter. Below are the top five alternatives for the LTP5000D!
YESWELDER CUT-55DS
Like the LOTOS LTP5000D, the YESWELDER CUT-55DS plasma cutter also comes with non-touch pilot arc features. As mentioned above, this feature allows your consumables to be used for longer than they would normally, saving you money in the long run. Speaking of money-saving, the plasma cutter itself costs only $379.99 which makes it a great option for the budget-conscious.
Lincoln Electric 20
From one of the industry-leading brands, the Lincoln Electric 20 has a steep upfront cost. To be specific, It costs $1,459.64 online. However, you do get to enjoy what you pay for. This plasma cutting machine has an exceptionally great build quality and an incredibly reliable performance. Unlike the LOTOS and YESWELDER cutting machines, this cutter doesn’t have a dual voltage option.
Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP
Favored by many seasoned fabricators, the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP is specifically designed for professional and manufacturing environments. It also has a small lightweight design, making it a portable plasma cutter. Making it even more flexible, it comes equipped with a dual voltage feature. Unfortunately, the machine is also at the most expensive end of the spectrum.
PrimeWeld CT-520D
Capable of both welding and cutting options, the PrimeWeld CT-520D stands out among the alternatives included in this list thus far. If you can afford the $892.28 price tag, you can settle with this all-in-one equipment for your metal fabrication needs. It has a rating of 50 amps for its plasma cutting function, and 200 amps for TIG and stick welding.
Miller Electric Spectrum 375
Another crowd favorite, the Miller Electric brand is well-known for its ever-reliable welders and plasma cutters. The Miller Electric Spectrum 375 plasma cutting machine can cut up to ⅜-inch steel and comes with a dual voltage configuration. While the power seems lacking, its portability makes up for it as it only weighs 19 lbs., perfect for mild steel, minor repairs, and light jobs.
If you’re up for another option from Miller Electric, check out the Miller Spectrum Thunder 110V plasma cutter.
Final Thoughts
If your welding machine is your right hand, then the plasma cutter would be your left. Metal fabrication demands that you master both your metaphorical left and right hands. That’s why it’s essential that you purchase the best plasma cutting machine for your money. The LOTOS LTP5000D fits the bill and ticks all the boxes for your first plasma cutter. Can’t get enough metal fabrication content? Subscribe to our newsletter on our website!
July 18, 2022