I have been involved in metalworking for 20+ years, and have used several brand name plasmas (hypertherm, fronius, miller). I bought this on a whim thinking it would probably suck, but maybe be okay for the thin stuff I needed it for. I have been nothing but pleased and surprised, this thing cuts, plain and simple. The pictured cut is through 1/2\" plate which is more than I would realistically ask of any 50a machine, and it did it no problem with a slow feed rate. It has hogged through 100+ feet of cut on 1/4 and 3/16 in the past week in my shop. Will it make the cleanest cuts-no. Will it fly through thick plate- no. Will it crap out with heavy use, maybe? But if you are looking for an entry level plasma, I would have no problem recommending this one. For the price, I just can't imagine a better one.