I have a LOTOS and have had excellent use with it.
Blazes right through 1/2 steel!
As do I.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052OX876?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
For 200 bucks, you can’t go wrong.
It is a “game changer” in regard to metal working.
The Lotus is cheap, effective, and for basically 350 bucks (including tax, some consumables, welding gloves…blah blah blah) you’re cutting metal fast and easy. I love mine, and highly recommend it for the money.
Just yesterday, I used it to quickly and easily trim off some corners for a project I am working on.
HOWEVER since you “mentioned cnc” here is my “sad story”………….
I have a Langmuir Crossfire Pro in the basement. (love it BTW
)
I went with the Razorweld Plasma machine though, instead of the HyperTherm (due to budget constraints)
Here are some of my “rambling’s” about it though.
Getting a Langmuir setup, is a little more involved. You have to decide which way to set it up first.
1. With a “dedicated machine” torch, that would be uncomfortable to use by hand. (this is what I have, because I have the Lotus “hand machine” upstairs)
or
2. With a “hand” torch, so that you can disconnect it to cut things by hand, which is necessary sometimes. (I did not like the look of that as dumb as that sounds.)
The Langmuir setup is going to require you to also get a CAD program and a some other miscellaneous software to be able to program it.
Although that sounds “straight forward” my journey down that rabbit hole went something like this.
1. I Decided to use Fusion 360’s “free” version. Well I was in for quite a "learning event”. I had a terrible time trying to figure it out, and to top it off, it’s “cloud based” so you have to have internet to use it (for the most part).
So I tried Alibre’s “free version” , and by that time, I had some of the basics down, and since it is "not Cloud Based” it was a better choice for me. I then purchased the “Hobby Version” for 200 bucks.
2. Then I found that the “computer requirements” for basically ANY of the CAD programs required me to upgrade my machine.
3. Then I used the “Hobby version” for about 2 months and was frustrated with it because it was so “stripped down” that it was very cumbersome……SO I bought the “Pro Version”…..I like it.
So now lets add this up
Langmuir + Razorweld+ consumables= $5,000
New Computer = $1,500
Alibre Pro =$1,000
Piping + dryers/filters = $ 600
My advice for a “new guy” is, just get the Lotus and have fun with it.
When it sh1ts the bed, and you have seen how useful they are, pull out your check book, and get a HyperTherm (or a Langmuir with a HyperTherm
)
Good luck!
