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Gee, I've asked that dumb question...that makes at least two of us! This started as a short answer but now looks like a laundry list. What's best for you depends on what you're cutting and how much you're cutting. Half a dozen times I've used my stick welder to cut 12" heavy pipe in a pinch. I didn't have any cutting rods, and just used 6013 rods. It'll do it but it is slower than a torch and the cut isn't very clean. And watch your duty cycle if you're cutting a lot. If you need a clean edge you can dress it with an angle grinder. For small stuff, less than 2 or 3" or so, I often use a 14" abrasive cutoff saw--$50 at Harbor Freight. For that matter, if you're just cutting very small stuff, say 1 or 2" now and then, use an angle grinder with an abrasive cut-off blade. It's fast and clean, cheap, and more accurate than a torch. Stationary band saws are great too, but more limited. If you'll be cutting a lot of small stuff and need something portable, think of a porta-band saw. They're pricey, and overall have less utility than an oxy-acet rig, but they're wonderful. (One thought is that usually when you're cutting something you'll be sticking it back onto something else. The gas or stick welders will do that. Band saws no.) For bigger stuff or if I'll be cutting a lot, I usually use oxy-propane. Sometimes oxy-acetylene if that's what is handy and I'm not cutting much. Oxy-fuel cuts a clean line after some practice. I bought my torches and tanks used here and there. They're less expensive if you're patient. You can avoid buying the acetylene tank if you use propane, but it has other drawbacks--the tips are a bit more costly (well, $8 each via the web)and you should use T-type hose if you're running propane. You can braze steel with oxy-propane but not weld. Good luck.
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