Due to their high purchase price and excellent longevity, industrial grade CNC wood machines are frequently purchased used, however, not all of them perform as expected. As some woodworkers discover the hard way, used CNC machinery isn’t always cheaper than new machinery. Although new wood machines cost more to buy, used ones can cost more to maintain. For many woodworkers, the central question about CNC machinery is: If a used CNC machine is properly maintained, is buying it more sensible than buying a new one? The answer can be either yes or no, depending on certain scenarios. Below are four reasons describing why or why not it would be the right choice:
Benefit: Preserves Your Equipment Budget
For everyday woodworkers, the benefit of buying a used machine is that it permits the purchase of other machines. If you spend six figures on a new CNC router, and then can’t afford the CNC milling machine you need, the purchase is pointless. If you have a limited equipment budget (and who doesn’t these days), buying well-maintained used equipment is indeed beneficial.
Drawback: No Support from the Manufacturer
Some used equipment is still under warranty, but the vast majority of it is not. This means you begin using a machine after its period of free repairs and maintenance has expired. Furthermore, if the machine fails, you won’t have legal recourse under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. Buying a machine that doesn’t have a warranty can be scary, however, if the machinery is industrial grade, that in itself is a warranty.
Benefit: Easier to Perform a Meaningful Inspection
Most machinery dealers won’t let you test a new machine. It would diminish the machine’s value, and the assumption is that it doesn’t have performance issues. That may be true, but actually seeing and hearing a machine in action lets you envision the impact it would have on your work environment and work processes. Some sellers of used CNC wood machines let you test a machine before you buy it.
Drawback: High Repair Cost
Old CNC machines can be expensive to repair for two reasons: their parts are often “specialty parts,” and technicians who aren’t familiar with their design can prolong the repair process, which increases labor cost. Many technicians today aren’t familiar with CNC machinery from the 1970s and early1980s. Regardless of how well a machine is maintained, repairs are eventually necessary, which is reason enough not to buy antique CNC equipment, regardless of its price.
Conclusion
A key to buying used machinery that becomes a benefit and not a burden is finding the right seller. For many woodworkers, RT Machine is that seller. Unlike some sellers, we recondition the appearance and mechanics of our machinery, and price it based on its realistic woodworking value.
For over ten years, RT Machine has sold new and used woodworking machinery to professional woodworkers around the globe. If we don’t have the machine you need in our inventory, we can locate it in another inventory and have it shipped to your location. If you need to buy used woodworking machinery, but you can’t sacrifice on quality, call us today.
