When it comes to buying woodwork machinery, there are a range of different options available and knowing exactly what to buy can be difficult. Whether you are looking to invest in brand new machinery or you would prefer to consider a refurbished option, the things that you should be considering about each individual machine are, on the whole, the same. If you are looking at refurbished woodworking machinery, then you should look for a trusted company in the field like Calderbrook Woodworking Machinery.
The things that you should be considering when you’re buying woodwork machinery are:
· Performance
· Value
· Quality and durability
· Support
And in the case of refurbished woodworking machinery:
· The availability of spare parts (and also how easy they are to get)
With that in mind, here is our ultimate guide to buying woodworking machinery.
Consider performance
Whether you are a professional craftsman or simply a hobbyist, there is a good chance you will be planning on using your woodworking machinery on a regular basis. With this in mind, it is really important to consider the performance of the machine you are looking at.
A machine that performs well will make your job much easier at every stage, but has the potential to minimise the amount of waste material that you produce and as a result, will ultimately help you to keep your costs down.
Consider quality
The purchase of any piece of woodworking machinery represents a big investment. This means that you should really be looking for something that is reliable, durable and built to last. You want to ensure that it will adhere to the appropriate safety guidelines.
Look for somewhere that stocks a range of the top brands. This will give you the best selection of quality machinery to choose from and should ensure that there is something to suit your needs.
Look for value
Woodworking machinery is expensive; however you don’t need to buy the most expensive machinery in order to get something that is good quality and will perform well. Having said that, you also shouldn’t buy the cheapest machinery in order to save money – as the saying goes, “buy cheap, buy twice!”. Buying a cheaper machine might end up costing you more money in the long run and may well leave you in a position where you find you want to purchase an upgrade later.
Set yourself a budget and consider all the features that you need from the machine you are looking at. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to help you decide on which machine is the best one for your budget.
Consider the future
Whilst you may be starting out small, and expansion isn’t something you think will be in your future, you never really know what might change. It never hurts to be prepared.
This doesn’t mean that you need to use all your budget to buy the top of the range machinery believing that you may need it at some point in the future. Rather, you should look at things like the volume of work the machine you are considering will be able to cope with. It needs to be able to deal with the amount you have now as well as any possible increased production volumes in the future should your business go well, and you might find yourself in a position where you wish to expand.
Research your supplier
One final point to consider, and possibly the most important, is to research the supplier you are looking at. This is true whether you are considering a brand new machine or something that is refurbished.
You will want to consider whether they have a good reputation, if they are competitively priced, their knowledge and what kind of after sales service they offer. All of these are just as important as the decision on which machine you would want to buy.
