Finding pre-owned, top quality woodworking machines is a common goal for woodworkers who need to save money on equipment without decreasing production capacity, but assessing the condition of used commercial woodworking machinery requires more than a cursory inspection. You also have to consider how the equipment was previously used, the status of its maintenance record, and whether it has been professionally reconditioned.
Previous Use
How a machine’s previous owner operated it can affect its performance and reliability. For instance, a CNC router that was operated for a decade in a woodworking factory likely has less life remaining than comparable equipment that a trade school used for the same amount of time. Presenting its serial number to the manufacturer is an easy way to discover the original owner of a machine. In many cases, how equipment was operated can be inferred from the owner’s identity.
Maintenance Record
Woodworking equipment is well maintained or poorly maintained, there is no in-between. If equipment misses a single scheduled maintenance session, a lack of lubrication could cause gears to wear prematurely, the buildup of wood dust inside housings could damage parts, and cutting mechanisms that need recalibration could wear prematurely. If you want top quality woodworking machines, target used commercial woodworking machinery that has a spotless maintenance record.
Reconditioning
Reconditioning (a.k.a. refurbishment) restores pre-owned equipment in three ways: worn and problematic parts are replaced, the interior and exterior of the hardware is cleaned, and the exterior receives touch ups to make the equipment look newer. Reconditioned equipment typically performs as if it were many years younger than it is, and often has a longer lifespan than comparable equipment of the same age that has not been reconditioned.
How RT Machine Can Help
Several scenarios affect the condition of pre-owned woodworking equipment, particularly: how the equipment was previously used, how it has been maintained, and whether it is reconditioned. At RT Machine, we consider these factors when purchasing used hardware to resell. Unlike some companies, our owned inventory is only comprised of top quality woodworking machines. If you need used working equipment that performs like new, call us today.
