Are you in the market for a used woodworking machine? If so, then it is important to make the right considerations before you buy one, especially if you cannot return it after you do. Assuming you know which type of equipment you need and how much it will cost, we offer some tips that will help you find reliable, high performance machinery. As you shop for your next piece of equipment, be sure to consider the tips below:
Find out the Identity of a Machine’s Previous Owner
When you know the identity of a machine’s previous owner, you can make a reasonable guess about how its use has affected its wear. For example, a four-year-old machine that was used on a 24-hour production floor may be older than its age indicates, while an eight-year-old machine that was used in a low production woodshop could be younger than its age indicates.
If the seller cannot identify a machine’s previous owner, try presenting the machine’s serial number to the manufacturer. It may have a record of the machine’s sale or registration.
Insist on a Spotless Maintenance Record
Over time, a machine that has a spotty maintenance record often exhibits spotty performance. Because a combination of wood dust and grease can quickly compromise its inner parts, woodworking machinery cannot afford to miss a single maintenance session. Buying a machine that has a spotless maintenance record helps you avoid machines whose repair bills and downtime make them frustrating to own.
Don’t Focus on Warranties
If you plan to use a pre-owned machine for years to come, the state of its warranty is somewhat unimportant. Although a warranty can provide protection against breakdowns in the short-term, being protected against them in the long-term depends on choosing a well-maintained machine that has not received too much use. In the end, it makes more sense to focus on these characteristics than it does to focus on warranties.
Buy a Machine that You Can Use for the near Future
Some woodworkers buy used woodworking equipment with the intention of replacing it with new equipment, which is fine. They should not underestimate how long they might need the former. If you plan to buy new machinery in four years, do not buy a used machine that has four years remaining on its lifespan. Instead, buy one whose remaining lifespan offers you flexibility.
If a Sales Price Seems Extremely Low, Ask Why
As you shop for a good price, remember that the lowest price does not always indicate the highest value. If a machine seems vastly under-priced, there is probably a reason why it is, such as heavy wear, the occurrence of an engine fire or the discontinuation of the product line, which could make it difficult to find parts.
If the seller cannot provide a satisfactory reason for a machine’s extremely low price, it may be best to look for a machine whose low price is in keeping with what is normally considered a low price.
Buy Reconditioned Equipment
Used woodworking equipment that is reconditioned is the closest thing to new equipment you can buy. By replacing the parts in a machine that could alter its performance or make it undependable, the seller reconditions it to the point where it “performs like new,” and offers excellent value.
Call RT Machine for Your Used Machinery Needs
RT Machine sells quality new and used woodworking equipment. We also perform machine location, using our locator service to find machines that are located in equipment inventories around the world. If we do not have the equipment that you need in stock, we can find it and have it shipped to your location. For all your used machinery needs, call us today.
