I've always wanted one, and now I have some stuff that needs one. What's out there cheap, that's reliable and has easily procured consumables? I can rent a machine for the short haul, but I don't like spending money on gear that doesn't stay mine after the check is written.

Jack can't touch the guy in Marko's neighborhoods Riland prices, but at the same time, I don't think too highly of any of those machines. They're built too much like a lunch box (thin gauge, crap components, etc - designed to be disposable). For $450, I could get a 40A and it would do what I presently need (bunch of sheet metal and 1/4" tubing), but I'd like to get the right size first and be done with it.

Anyone have a line on a good older machine? There was a bigger thermadyne unit at one of the used machinery dealers a few months back for $1250, I think that one was 100A. It's long gone, but I'd be open to something similar.

Just bought a cutmaster 81 for $1900 off ebay. It's about 1% over cost with free shipping. In three hours, the cheapest price going will be $2200 and that's about 10% according to my LWS I almost bought one from. So, I saved about $460 (considering lack of tax as well).