Are you willing to buy a CNC router to support your CNC machining work or woodworking hobby? If yes, do you prefer a used CNC router or a new one? In most cases, it’s hard to decide whether to buy a second-hand machine or a new machine. Both of the two choices have advantages, but it’s better to do an overall analysis before you make the final decision. Generally speaking, a used CNC router is cheaper, but its subsequent processing performance, remaining service life and maintenance cost are uncertain. A new CNC router is more reliable, powerful and has longer service life, while its price may break your limited budget.
In this article, I have listed some crucial factors that you need to consider when you buy CNC router. These factors can help you to make a smartest choice and get an ideal CNC machine.
New vs. Used CNC Router
Many small business owners or CNC beginners think that a second-hand CNC router is enough to satisfy their needs. This is because a new machine is expensive and difficult for them to afford while a second-hand CNC router is more cost-effective. However, the truth is that the used CNC router machine have a lot of potential risks. Those risks are invisible for now, but they may cause you a lot of troubles and costs in the future. I suggest you to evaluate the pros and cons of the new and used CNC routers from eight aspects as follows.
Manufacturer
Used CNC router: Does the manufacturer of a CNC machine matter? Of course! Manufacturer represents the quality of a machine even if it’s second-hand. You need to ask the seller which company is the manufacturer of the machine. There are a variety of brands on the trading market of used CNC machines. Some machines are made from qualified suppliers while some machines are not. So you need to check the manufacturer of the machine and make a wise judgment. A used CNC router is worth your purchase only if it is produced from a qualified manufacturer. To check if a manufacturer is reliable or not, you can browse its official website and check if it has necessary certificates (e.g. CE, BV, TUV, SGS, etc.) In addition, you can search on Google to know people’s feedback on the machines produced by this supplier.
New CNC router: When you buy CNC router from a qualified manufacturer, you can communicate with the salesperson and engineers directly. And you can go to the factory to inspect the performance of the machine and the scale of the manufacturer. There are many reputable CNC router manufacturers you can choose from. Also, a professional salesperson can help you understand the machine configuration and functions when you purchase the machine. In this respect, buying a new machine saves your time and efforts than buying a used one.
Seller
Used CNC router: The seller of a used CNC machine is usually its original owner or professional agency. If the original owner is an expert specializing in CNC machining, you can consider the machine. However, if the owner is an amateur who is inexperienced in CNC, I suggest you not to buy it. Firstly, the owner cannot explain the configuration details, which prevents you from fully understanding the value of the machine. Secondly, if the owner didn’t properly maintain the machine and update its parts in time, the machine will cost you a lot of repair and maintenance costs in the future use.
New CNC router: The concerns of buying a used CNC router will disappear when you buy a new machine. The seller of new CNC machines is usually a professional manufacturer or agency. They can provide you with all the details of the machine, including technical parameters, operating instructions and other documents. And the machine’s quality and service can be ensured.
Price
Used CNC router: CNC router price is one of the main factors that people pay attention to when buying a CNC machine. A used CNC router costs $1,000-$50,000 approximately. The price of a used CNC router is affected by its original price, configuration, kits, machining hours and so on. If you only care about the CNC router price and buy a cheap machine, then many potential problems will come out sooner or later. A cheap machine that is prone to malfunctions will eventually become a piece of scrap iron.
New CNC router: As we all know, the price of a new CNC router is higher than a used one with the same configuration. This is because the machine has depreciation due to its old parts and short service life. However, in terms of operation and maintenance cost, a new CNC machine is more money-saving. If you have enough budget and want to get profit from your machining business as soon as possible, buying a new machine is a better choice.
Service Life
Used CNC router: For second-hand machines, the service life depends on the manufacture date, machining hours and parts’ quality. Although an older machine can save a fortune for you, its service life is shorter and not worth your purchase. A machine that you really need should have long service life to support your business. Therefore, it is necessary to check the service life of a used CNC router. This will help you evaluate the machine more comprehensively.
New CNC router: A new CNC router definitely has a longer service life than a second-hand one. A new CNC machine is usually customized and newly manufactured according to the user’s requirements. The guide rail, axis, ball screw and other parts have no wear or tear. Taking Blue Elephant CNC router as an example, according to our customer feedback, a new CNC router can be used for many years and performs well.
Function
Used CNC router: The value of a CNC router mainly lies in its processing function. When buying a used CNC router, you need to be very cautious on the configuration and check if the machine has the functions you need. For example, if you want to engage in complex processing, you need to check if the kits and control system have the capacity for upgrading. It’s lucky to get a machine that has low price and good functions. But this is not a perfect world. You have to admit that it’s difficult to find a good machine whose functions exactly meet your needs. Buying a CNC router is a big project. If you’re not confident enough, I suggest you to appoint a professional CNC router inspector to help you.
New CNC router: Different users have different requirements for machine configuration, such as working size, cutting speed, processing precision, etc. There are many new CNC routers on the market and it is easy to find the right one. What’s more, many reliable CNC router manufacturers can customize the machine according to your processing requirements. Users do not need to worry that they can’t get the machine they want. The only thing you need to do is to inform the salesperson of all processing requirements, and they will recommend the most suitable machines to you.
Machining History
Used CNC router: The machining history of a used CNC router determines its future performance and remaining service life. If the machine is just a hobby for its previous owner, this kind of machine is lightly used and can be a great choice. If the previous owner used the machine to make a living and did many processing work, the machine is strenuously used and has a lot of wear and tear. When buying a used CNC router, you need to ask the seller two questions to avoid getting a short-lived machine: What work did you do with the machine? How many hours a day did it work?
New CNC router: Comparing with a used CNC router, a new CNC router is newly made and has passed strict tests. Its parts are new and the software and control system are up to date. A new CNC router shows high efficiency and good precision during the machining.
Router Kits
Used CNC router: It is possible to get a broken machine if you are not familiar with router kits. Therefore, you need to find a CNC engineer to help you check the router kits through below steps. From my point of view, this will cost you a lot of time and efforts. If you really need a used CNC router, you can take below tips as reference.
Push the moving parts to see if there is any abnormal shaking or looseness, and check the wear of spindle, X and Z guide rails, and ball screws.
Check the wiring to avoid leakage.
Check the conditions of control system panel and its internal parts.
Test the operation, check if the machine can achieve your processing requirements.
Check with the seller which parts of the machine have been replaced. Investigate the supply of spare parts on the market, and estimate the future maintenance cost.
New CNC router: The kits of a new CNC machine have no tear or wear, so you don’t need to worry about their performance. Router kits have many types and brands to choose from. If you have limited budget, some kits are worth your purchase for their low price and good quality. You just need to tell the salesperson about your budget plan and they will recommend suitable kits for you. Moreover, if you need to upgrade the router kits after a few years, you can easily obtain replaceable parts from the original manufacturer.
Service and Quality Assurance
Used CNC router: In most cases, the service and machine quality cannot be assured when you buy a used CNC router. Many second-hand CNC machine sellers cannot provide you with training, complete technical brochure and quality assurance service. If you buy a machine whose warranty period has been expired, once there is a malfunction, you will need to pay a lot of money to repair the machine. In addition, technical brochure can help you to know the structure and functions of the machine. If the technical brochure of a used machine is missing, it will be difficult for subsequent machine upgrades.
New CNC router: The CNC router manufacturer has the responsibility to provide you overall service and quality assurance. They can teach the beginners how to assemble the machine and how to operate it. They will also provide useful maintenance tips so that your machine has a longer service life. What’s more, a new CNC router has long quality warranty period. The manufacturer has the obligation to resolve your machine’s problems within the warranty period.
Do You Need a Used CNC Router or a New CNC Router?
Now you have known the differences between used CNC routers and new CNC routers. Buying a used CNC router machine is a gamble, you need to evaluate its dependability and future maintenance cost. Different buyers have different decisions to buy a used machine or a new one. When you need to buy a CNC router, is a second-hand machine or a new machine is more suitable for you? There is no simple answer because it depends on your production needs, your budget plan and your time.
Your Production Needs:
Beginners and Hobbyists: If you just need a CNC router as a hobby, you don’t need an advanced CNC router. A hobby CNC router (also known as mini CNC router) is enough to satisfy your need. The price of a new hobby CNC router is low, so you are free to buy a new machine or a used one. Both of them are cheap and affordable.
Artisans and specialists: Some woodworking artisans or specialists need CNC router to make a living or get some extra money. If you are one of them, it’s better to buy a new machine which is more reliable and cost-effective. A new CNC machine can be customized according to your processing requirement. There are 4 axis, 5 axis and ATC CNC router that can process complex 3D pieces and produce high quality products. Many users of Blue Elephant CNC routers successfully conduct furniture machining, advertising sign making or other businesses with their machines and make a lot of profits.
Large-scale business owners: Large business owners also need a new CNC router to expand their business and improve productivity. A new CNC router is more suitable for mass production and it can meet your processing needs with high efficiency and precision. Also, a new CNC router has little to no malfunction during the processing, and it greatly reduces your maintenance cost. I do not recommend you to buy a second-hand CNC router because it usually takes a lot of time to maintain or repair.
Your Budget Plan
For limited budget: Some users have a limited budget and think that a new CNC router is difficult for them to afford. Their choices are not always right. The price of a CNC router is determined by its parts. Some parts are imported from famous manufacturers abroad and the price of the whole machine is high. There are alternative parts that have good performance and affordable price. If you need to make a living with CNC router, buying a new CNC router is also feasible. In general, when you have limited budget, buying a used CNC router or a new one is both ok, but if you care about the future maintenance cost, buying a new CNC router is better.
For enough budget: If you have enough budget, a new CNC router will be a great choice. With a new CNC router, you can avoid many maintenance problems in the future processing. And a new CNC router usually has the quality warranty period, so you don’t need to worry about the machine’s quality.
Your Time
For limited time: If you are in a hurry and need a CNC router as soon as possible, do not buy a second-hand machine. A lot of time and efforts are needed to check a second-hand machine’s functions and quality unless you’re very professional on this. Buying a new CNC router is more reliable and time-saving. The manufacturer can provide you with thoughtful service and satisfy your need.
For enough time: If you have enough time to buy a CNC machine, then you can choose a new CNC router or a used CNC router. Don’t forget that if you want to buy a used CNC router, carefully check the configuration of the machine.
Conclusion
In this article, I led you to know the differences between a used CNC router and a new CNC router in eight aspects, and whether to buy a used CNC router or a new one according to your production needs, budget and your time. From my point of view, buying a new CNC router is more reliable. The machine’s quality and processing performance can be assured. Buying a used CNC router has more risks and more time and efforts are needed. No matter if your final choice is a new CNC router or a used one, please always remember that buying a CNC router is a significant project. Seeking help from experts and proactively checking the machine’s quality are always the top things you need to do.
