When shopping for machine tools for personal use, one of the first decisions you usually have to make is whether to buy used. Whether to buy new or used depends on what you need and what you’re buying the equipment for, among other things. Here’s a quick, general guide to who should buy used and who should buy new.
Used machine tools are ideal for the new woodworker or metalworker who hasn’t been into the craft for very long. You’ll save a considerable amount of money over new equipment if you buy used, so if you change your mind later, you won’t have invested as much in the hobby. Reselling used equipment will likely get you a price similar to what you paid. Also, newer equipment may have more features and options, but people new to the craft will probably not be working on projects that will require more advanced machinery.
If you need the power that used dust collectors tools provide, but don’t have as much to spend, then used is also better. If you want to upgrade from the machinery you already have, but don’t have a lot of money to spend, buying newer, used models is a good choice. It’s also a good way to get the extra equipment you might need to turn your hobby into a business on a budget.
New can be the right choice for those who aren’t concerned about cost and those who are already professionals or semi-professionals. You’ll certainly have more options available to you, both in terms of manufacturers and models. With a new machine, you can expect better energy efficiency, better efficiency in general, and a lot more options and features. With new machines, you also have less to worry about, in terms of whether the CNC fabrication machines will work as advertised and the peace of mind that a warranty brings is often enough reason to skip straight to buying new. If you’re concerned about warranties, new is your better bet.
Of course, the new and used dichotomy isn’t as straightforward as most people think. Whom you buy from also matters. Direct sales and auctions don’t usually come with guarantees and you never know what you’re actually getting. If you’re going to buy used, buying from a vendor or retailer is safer.
There is also the option to buy refurbished used machinery, which is in a different class entirely. Refurbished metal working tools has been repaired so that it is functionally like new, though it still has seen some use from previous owners. This makes it more in line with buying a new version of the same model than buying a straight used product in terms of what you get, but will still cost less than buying new, in most cases.
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