As others have said, as long as it doesn't get abused & is stored between uses (in a proper wooden box, which could be a seperate project if it doesn't come wiith one!) It will give you years of trouble free usage. A small bag or two of Silica Gel stored with it will keep the rust off it. A word about storage, if you store it in the 'flat' (widest side parallel with the floor) make sure it is supported in at least four points along it's length, If you store it on it's edge then it only needs supporting at two points along it's length. These points are called "Airy" points (if my memory from training years ago is still good) and are exactly 2/9ths in from each end, they could be considered 'nodes' and at these two points the straight edge supports itself keeping the edge perfectly straight.
Useless piece of info for you there
but may come in handy if you intend keeping an expensive piece of equipment in good condition.