The machine your looking at is only 40% duty-cycl, 3/16" steel, severance to 5/16"

That machine will fail cutting aluminum which requires way more amperage. IMHO the seller was trying to impress you by cutting 1/4" steel plate.

I would bet the farm the cut he made was a short one, then he spoke with you to distract you while the machine was cooling down for the next demonstration cut.



How readily available are the consumables, torch replacement and $$$.

Century has not made welding equipment for sometime now, I know this as I have one of their High Frequency TIG units, fortunately it uses the Air Liquid torch.