Unlike most people who bash the Powercraft/Workzone gear I've actually got some, true it's not up to daily pro use, but that's not what I bought it for. I have their wee compressor £60 it's been chugging away for 2 years now and hasn't missed a beat, also got their big SDS drilling machine, again for the 2-3 times s year I need such a tool it's a bargain. As to the rods, I've no intention of doing miles of weld with this arc set, my dad gave it it to me and I thought I'd just have a wee play around with it, yes I could probably buy bulk rods way cheaper but I won't use them, they'll sit around and go fousty, if I was using hte thing day in day out it'd be a different matter.
If I was earning a living with it it'd be a different story, the tools I earn my living with are insured for something in the order of £30,000 and come from the likes of Facom, RS, Wahco etc. My customers rely on me and I must be able to rely on the tools.