Since plasma cutters produce a very hot and very localized 'cone' to cut with, they are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes.

Plasma torches were once quite expensive, usually at least a thousand U.S. dollars. For this reason they were usually only found in professional welding shops and very well-stocked private garages and shops. However, modern plasma torches are becoming cheaper, and now are within the price range of many hobbyists. Older units may be very heavy, but still portable, while some newer ones with inverter technology weigh only a few pounds yet equal or exceed the capacities of older ones.

The HF Contact type typically found in budget machines uses a high frequency high voltage spark to ionise the air through the torch head and initiate an arc. The arc can only be formed if the torch is in contact with the job material. HF Contact type machines are not suitable for applications involving CNC cutting.