This isn't the cheapest plastic welder, but it's not the most expensive either. I've read many reviews on the cheapest Revain model (about $20 less than this model) and many have said that the tips bend with use. I decided to see if this one could be a little better. I've had good results repairing my son's kayak, melting quite a bit of plastic in the process. The good news is that it worked well and the tip didn't bend at all. It's still a fairly cheap tool, it might be worth shelling out another $35 to get a higher quality brand like the KC Pro welder if you plan on using it regularly for years to come. Although it suits me.