CUT50 plasma cutters are made in China and rebranded and sold under many different brands such as S7, BestArc, ARCCAPTAIN, LOTOS, YESWELDER, PRIMEWELD, HeroCut, TOOLIOM and many more. Despite all the brands looking slightly different, they all share very similar hardware and performance. These plasma cutters are very popular because they only cost around $300 and have the capacity to cut up to 1/2 inch mild steel.
Cutting Performance
I purchased and tested the LOTOS LTP5000D (Amazon.com), which is based on the CUT-50D platform. I had the machine running on 220V 50 amps (maxed out). During my cutting tests the machine easily cut 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch mild steel. Both of the cuts looked pretty good, but they had dross (metal slag) on the backside. I had to take some time to clean up the cuts to get them ready for welding. Not a huge deal, but worth mentioning.
You can expect any of the CUT50 machines branded by other companies to produce very similar results, as they are basically the same machine with a different name.
Cutting Test
You can checkout my review and cutting test in my YouTube video below:
Build Quality And Durability
These plasma cutters are made on the cheaper side. They are not built to withstand heavy professional work environments as some of the components are somewhat fragile. That being said, they will work just fine in a normal garage where they are used once or twice a month.
In terms of longevity, I’ve heard multiple accounts of people owning and using these machines for 5+ years. I’ve also heard of users getting machines that are broken out of the box and need to be replaced under warranty right away. There is no way to know exactly how long it will last. I recommend using your plasma cutter as much as possible when you first get it in order to reveal any potential issues. If anything does happen, return it to Amazon right away and get a new one.
Pilot Arc
If you plan to purchase a CUT50 machine, be sure to get one with pilot arc. Pilot arc makes starting a cut a lot easier as it preheats the metal with the pilot arc before initiating the main cutting arc. This will help create a precise clean cut and increase the life of your torch consumables.
Consumables
Consumables for these machines can be purchased pretty easily on Amazon. You can buy a bulk set for less than $50. Be sure to read your manual and find out which cutting torch is included with your machine. Different models come with different torches. I recommend stocking up on consumables right away so you have them ready to go.
Customer Support
These cheaper CUT50 plasma cutters come with very limited customer support from the manufacture. This is one of the downsides of buying a cheap plasma cutter. They will honor warranty claims, but usually you are stuck with paying shipping and dealing with the whole process. I always recommend returning the machine directly back to Amazon if you’re within your 30 day return window. Amazon will take the return no questions asked and the shipping is usually free.
Once you’re out of the warranty period, it’s usually easier and cheaper to buy a brand new machine rather than send it in for repairs.
Price And Value
Most plasma cutters built on the CUT50 platform will cost around $300. There are no other plasma cutters out there that can compete with this price. If you purchase a name brand machine from a company like Hobart, Hypertherm, Miller etc. you will spending a minimum of $1200. These CUT50 machines continue to sell like crazy, because most users can’t justify spending four times more for a name brand machine.
Should You Buy One?
If you’re a weekend warrior and only plan to use your plasma cutter 1-2 times a month, then these machines can be a great value. Sure they’re cheaply built, but for the price you can’t beat it. I was happy overall with the LOTOS LTP5000D machine I purchased for testing.
LOTOS LTP5000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
The LTP5000D is dual voltage and has pilot arc. It performed well in my cutting tests on both 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch mild steel. Great plasma cutter for the price.
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Should Professionals Buy One?
If you’re a professional who plans to use this tool for a living, then I would strongly recommend you steer clear of the CUT50 machines. Instead, get a professional grade machine that will hold up to the abuse of a real work environment. I would invest in a Hobart 27i (Amazon.com), which costs $1600. The 27i is durable, has good support from the manufacture and produces very clean cuts.
Hobart 27i Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter
A fantastic name brand plasma cutter that is durable and produces very clean cuts. It’s dual voltage and portable.
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alternatives To Consider
If you’re willing to spend around $800, you can get a Primeweld CUT60 (Amazon.com). This plasma cutter bridges the gap between professional plasma cutters and the cheaper Chinese CUT50 units. It’s dual voltage, has 60 amps of power and can cut 3/4 inch mild steel with no issues. Check out our Primeweld CUT60 Review to see our cutting test.
Final Thoughts
After finishing my CUT50 plasma cutter review and cutting test, I found these plasma cutters to be an incredible value for casual users. Having the ability to cut 1/2 inch steel with a plasma cutter that cost $300 is amazing. Sure, they are built cheaply and not suitable for a professional work environment, but they can still get the job done.