MOST plasma cutters last for a VERY LONG TIME!!!!!!
its like a welder for the most part . the tips are expendable though.
the problem with a cheap plasma is the expendable tips can be VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
even though they are more money to begin with ,a name brand one would be the way
i would go. my grandfather started with some cheap off brand german p.o.s
he had to put a fan under it as it would cut it's own power due to a thermal
cut off would shut it down ,trying to cut like 1/8th in .then the tips were five times as
much as name brand tips. my dad has a thermal dynamics, its a very good machine!!!
only rated to cut 3/8 in though .my grand dad has a miller that will cut more like 7/8.
it was waaaaaaay more money though .tips are cheap for both.
the other problem you may run into is your going to need a fairly good compressor to
run it as well.a p.o.s compressor will run it guts out trying to keep up with you.