Lotos LTP8000 80 A Plasma Cutter with Pilot ARC Metal Cutter, 1 inch Clean Cut, Brown

Could not be more pleased with this plasma cutter. I sincerely hope this review helps. This was the first time I’ve ever touched plasma cutter. Here on the farm, a cutting torch has always been my go to tool and I’m pretty good at accurate clean cuts.That being said, I began a project building a rake for a bulldozer. This meant cutting 1” flat iron. My torch could do it, but it was asking a lot and hours of grinding would be required.After researching, they said this rig will cut 1” think metal. I can most definitely confirm, it cuts it and cuts it well! Absolutely no practice. I just started cutting. Gouging was a little tricky but I may not know how to do it properly. Still worked.So far, I’ve cut over 20 foot of 1” iron. I have not had to replace any consumables yet.After reading many helpful reviews, I did rig up an air tank and water trap/filter before I ever began.I could not recommend this unit enough.

Better than expected. Well worth the extra money

A very good unit and the company is very helpful if you need parts for it

I have a lotus 50amp for years. Works awesome. Bought the 85 and love it just as much.

I have owned the LTP500 (1/2” thick clean cut) for about 3 years (roughly 200 hrs of use) and love it, so when I needed to cut 3/4” for a Cat loader project it was a “no brainer” to order the larger machine. Just got done trying it out on a piece of 1” scrap and it does the job! It is NOT a Hypertherm (I use 1 at work), it also isn’t 3X the price and it isn’t a air hog like one either. It doesn’t make as clean of a cut as the more expensive machine but is still way cleaner than using a oxy/propane cutting torch.

This machine cuts great! I had been on the fence for several years about getting a plasma cutter, and finally got this one, and it’s been a huge asset. It has been WELL WORTH THE PRICE! I use it 2 or 3 times a week building and repairing farm equipment, and it’s been great. It “Will” cut up to one inch thick steel, (I’ve actually done it), but, I wouldn’t want to do that all day. It consistently cuts 1/2 inch literally like butter, and it also cuts 3/4 very good. Don’t hesitate to buy this machine if you do metalwork, because for me, it’s been a great investment.

1- Before even receiving the item:(actual review info below)First unit was shipped and damaged in transit and sat on "Delayed in transit for over a week before inquiring about the delay. Come to find out it was damaged(it happens) but they didn't seem to be making any sort of effort to get a new one shipped. Waited a few more days and finally got back in touch with services to get a replacement. Guy was extremely short and then transfered me to a second rep who was even shorter and closed the session before I could even see his final response in the chat.2- The LTP8000:The machine itself is actually large compared to many others I've used, roughly the size of a microwave. It's pretty simple to setup. Plug in and air in. Set your values and start your cuts. No replacement consumables were in the box (only the tops already on the cutting head), which is quite pathetic considering a week after purchasing the tips over doubled in price 2.26$ per to now almost 5$ per. And you can only now buy them in bulk 90pack where before you could get 20&40pack options.All in all the unit may be on sale but the consumables are insanely expensive now. If and when it stops working I will update.

Great performance, cuts as described.Here's something about the Lotos lineup of plasma cutters that may be of importance to you but is never mentioned anywhere: The high-frequency start is just that, non-continuous. It will not make interrupted cuts. If you want to cut, for example, expanded metal, as the arc leaves the work edge the arc turns itself off and a 10 second cool-down cycle with air only starts. The arc will not restart until the 10 second cooling air period is complete. You must release the trigger for the cycle to complete (similar to a semi-auto firearm). You may not think that's any real big deal, but sooner or later you'll have a job where you need to quickly go from piece to piece and a continuous high-frequency unit will do that, but not the Lotos lineup.Some reviewers have problems with poor cut quality from the first cut and are very upset at Lotos. I'll describe my own first cut, perhaps it may help someone else.A visual inspection of the nozzle and the appearance of the electrode showed evidence that the unit had been used. Others have said that the manufacturer tests each unit before packing it for shipment and I agree that it seems likely. I was suspicious of the nozzle because it looked like it had been "touched down" on the work surface, but I used it for the first cut anyway.First cut was a piece of 1/4" hot-rolled steel, amps at 40A with 1/8" standoff. The arc did not penetrate, just dug what I would call a "ditch" in the steel. Part of the arc was blowing out across the top of the steel. My years of plasma cutting experience immediately said, "bad nozzle".I replaced the electrode and nozzle with included spare parts. Second cut, same piece of steel, and the awesome 30,000-degree plasma stream was about the diameter of a pencil lead and went through the steel like a giant razor blade.An air supply that is clean and very dry is critical to the operation of any plasma cutter. A single small drop of moisture in the air supply will cost you a nozzle and electrode. I recommend the very best dryer you can afford. The desiccant-type driers work well. The best type, in my opinion, is the refrigeration-dryer, which cools the compressor discharge air to below the dew point and collects the liquid water for automatic disposal. Works sort of like a home dehumidifier.Without a good air dryer, plasma cutting is an exercise in frustration (and can get to be quite expensive, if you have a water problem).Ed B.