That's exactly how it goes with a lot of home fixes people chase the obvious thing when the real problem is hiding underneath. It makes you wonder how many other problems we just mask by chasing the wrong symptom.

Pretty much a slow death sentence with extra pruning bills down the road.

The real hidden cost of those cheap bits isn't just the broken tools, it's the bad habits you build compensating for them. You start cranking feeds too slow or taking tiny passes, and that muscle memory sticks with you even after you upgrade. Took me maybe a dozen wrecked parts and a blown spindle bearing before I figured out a nice 3-flute carbide was cheaper in the long run than any box of mystery steel.

I mean, does it really save money after setup?

Man, I was totally in the fancy gear camp before too. Seeing stuff like this really makes you appreciate the basics.