The prospect of buying something used causes most of us to question whether we’ll still view its price as a good deal once we use it, when its used condition could present problems. Unless a used product is still under the manufacturer’s original warranty, any problems it experiences are its purchaser’s tough luck. But there are some reliable tips for determining whether used woodworking equipment is a good investment. Below, we list three tips for buying quality woodworking equipment used.
Assessing the Grade of Woodworking Machinery You Need
The first tip is to determine what grade of equipment you need to purchase: domestic, light commercial, or industrial, each of which offers different lifespan lengths and production capacities.
Domestic Machinery
Domestic grade machinery has the shortest lifespan and the lowest production capacity, meaning it is best purchased new and only by those who perform hobbyist woodwork that doesn’t require professional tools. However, if you experience an infrequent need for a certain woodworking application in your commercial woodshop, a domestic grade machine might be a wisest purchase in terms of price.
Light Commercial Machinery
Light commercial grade machines have a longer lifespan and a higher production capacity than domestic grade machinery, making it valuable to buy used. However, it shouldn’t be purchased for situations whose production rates necessitate industrial grade machines. Light commercial machines are popular for small woodshops and for business that require certain woodworking machines to carry out other practices, such as carpentry and interior design.
Industrial Machinery
Industrial grade machines have a lifespan of decades and are built for the highest production capacities, making them the best type of equipment to purchase used in terms of longevity. In many cases, woodworkers purchase industrial equipment used and sell it for a handsome price years later due its extensive lifespan and good maintenance record.
Evaluating Woodworking Equipment Used During the Buying Process
One you decide what type of machine you need, it’s time to implement four time-tested measures for ensuring the quality of your machine as you go about shopping for it. Valuable for assessing the quality of various types of woodworking machines, this four-part process consists of: (1) only buying from professional used woodworking machinery sellers, (2) investigating a sellers’ reputation at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), (3) requesting a copy of a machine’s maintenance record, and (4) conducting a firsthand inspection of the machine, or having an expert third party conduct the inspection for you. After assessing the type of woodworking machine you need to buy, following these measures should lead you to a machine that offers new machine quality at a used machine price.
