John
I own 9 plazma machines, needless to say I own a steel fabricating business. I have 6 rated at 3/8'' 1 at 3/4 and 2 -1'' machines that are run by CNC. As far as easy to use, yes , squeeze the trigger. you need either 120/230 volt electric,and compressed air. On 14 gauge and thinner you can cut pretty smooth with a straight edge by hand. With a smaller machine 1/8''-1/4'' will cut pretty slow with a little rougher cut. Cutting 1/8'' angle iron to make lets say a bridge will give you good results. If you want to take 16 gauge and try to make a building, cutting by hand, can be done, a little tough and will be a little rough. I have made several buildings with the CNC plazma, with outstanding results, can even make great window and doors with it. The CNC machines offer the ability to maintain a constant speed, holds the same distance from the material, and the most important is the ability to drive the motions, either straight lines or circles, or angles, makes no different to the machine what it is cutting. With the cnc there is very minimal clean up of slag on the back side of the cut material. The one thing that was not mentioned was the smokey exhaust air it produces. Either do it out side or with good ventelation.
And there is no comparison between a plazma by hand and a torch by hand,
You might want to rent one for a day ,before you buy. it might save you some money or convince you this is what you want. Good Luck Dennis