I am going to write today about buying used “commercial grade” multi-head embroidery equipment.\u00a0 But before we get started I need to state up front that what I will say is my opinion and my opinion only.\u00a0 Anything I say is to be taken as opinion and not as fact. \u00a0\u00a0Above all else, before you buy used embroidery equipment you should have the equipment thoroughly inspected by a qualified machine mechanic who has experience with the exact machine you are looking to purchase.\u00a0\u00a0 Hiring a mechanic to inspect your prospective purchase is probably the single best thing you can do for yourself.<\/p>\n
With all of that said buying used equipment in the modern era is not like it was when dinosaurs still roamed the planet (1989) when I bought my first used machine.\u00a0 Back then used equipment was skating the line between older mechanical machines and what was to become the modern era of truly computerized commercial embroidery.\u00a0 \u00a0Now-a-days a well maintained five year old machine can be as good as the day it rolled out of the manufacturing facility.\u00a0 The operative phrase to concern yourself with is \u201cwell maintained.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0How to identify when a machine is well maintained is what I will discuss in this blog.<\/p>\n
I am not going to try and tell you how to negotiate price.\u00a0 That is up to you.\u00a0 But if I can convince you of only one thing, you should never purchase a machine at a \u201cdiscount\u201d because it is a fixer upper.<\/p>\n
In no particular order I am going to list a few things to watch out for when considering the purchase of a used embroidery machine.\u00a0 This list is by no means comprehensive but if you find any of the issues below while reviewing a machine I would keep my wallet firmly in my back pocket.\u00a0 There is a great deal of quality used equipment on the market right now.\u00a0 Do not be lured by price alone.\u00a0 Take your time to make a careful purchase decision \u2013 you will probably be living with this decision a long time and you want to have \u201chappy thoughts\u201d every time you turn this machine on.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 All machines should come with their original owner\u2019s manual and parts book.\u00a0 There is simply no way a machine can be properly maintained without the manual.\u00a0 The Owner\u2019s Manual will list when and how to perform all scheduled maintenance.\u00a0 The manual will clearly describe how a machine is to be oiled and lubricated.\u00a0 Anyone who tells you they have taken care of their machine and cannot produce a manual has missed something, somewhere and you won\u2019t know what it is until a very inopportune time.\u00a0 An original parts book is irreplaceable.\u00a0 You might think this is an easy thing to replace\u2026not so.\u00a0 \u00a0It is a big fat pain in the butt to find a new one.\u00a0 Machines have many different versions of the same basic type.\u00a0 Unless you know exactly what you are asking for finding the right parts manual can be very difficult.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 If a head is turned off on a machine (when it shouldn\u2019t be) I would turn around and walk out the door without asking any other questions.\u00a0 A machine that has a head turned off is a problem waiting to happen in your shop.\u00a0 Are there exceptions to this rule?\u00a0 Of course, but you must insist that under no circumstance will you accept delivery of the machine unless all heads are in complete working order.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Is the machine dusty or show obvious signs of indifference?\u00a0 If you find large deposits of dust or even cob webs on a machine then I promise you it has not been properly cared for.\u00a0 People who take care of their machines keep them clean.\u00a0 Closely examine the grills of any cooling fans.\u00a0 Are they clogged with lint and dust?\u00a0 If so, open the control box they are supposed to be cooling.\u00a0 If you smell a hot \u201cplastic\u201d type of odor then your controller boards are running too hot.\u00a0 Controller boards are grossly expensive to replace\u2026they can be thousands of dollars each.\u00a0 If a machine is not cooling properly these boards can fry out.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 There is a small gap between the rotary hook and the bushing where the vertical drive shaft comes out of the base of the machine.\u00a0 Check this gap to see if it is clogged with bobbin thread.\u00a0 If it is then there is a good chance the machine has been indifferently maintained.\u00a0 Remove the hooks and clean out this thread build up and then reinstall the hook.\u00a0 Then, try and move the hook assembly (not the basket it moves freely) left and right (with the machine on) there should be ZERO slack\u2026the hook should not jiggle back and forth.\u00a0 If it does, the helical gears that turn the shafts are either worn or not properly aligned.\u00a0 A bad thin in either case.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Remove any inspection plates covering areas of a machine that require lubrication.\u00a0 Ensure the machine has been lubricated.\u00a0 Grease and Oil are two different things.\u00a0 Make sure you know where each needs to be applied and inspect it has been done.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0 Insist on seeing any maintenance records.\u00a0 What parts have been replaced, when and by who?\u00a0 Has the machine received scheduled maintenance by a qualified tech?<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0 Does the machine have any warranty left on it?\u00a0 If it does, is the warranty transferable to a new owner?\u00a0 Not all are\u2026be very careful about this and be sure to read the original sales contract.\u00a0 Be sure to understand the warranty.\u00a0 Most will only cover parts and labor but will not cover any travel a tech might need to do.\u00a0 If this is the case make sure there is a tech relatively close by.\u00a0 You can get KILLED by paying the travel expenses (airfare, hotel, per diem) to bring a tech in for repairs.\u00a0 When a machine is out of warranty this gets even worse.\u00a0 Most techs charge around $100 an hour or more.<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0 Closely inspect any hat frames and hat drivers.\u00a0 Hat drivers should not have an slop in the left to right movement.\u00a0 Make sure there is no missing hardware.\u00a0 Inspect the hat frames to make certain they are \u201ctrue\u201d and all of the bands and clamping mechanisms function properly.<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0 Inspect the electronic panels.\u00a0 Electronic issues are tough to track down.\u00a0 Bring a flashlight and examine the circuit boards.\u00a0 You are looking for brown spots on the circuit boards.\u00a0 This indicates an area where a\u00a0component \u201cblew out\u201d and was then replaced or a HOT SPOT where a component is about to blow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10.\u00a0 Check to see if any safety devices have been disabled intentionally or otherwise.\u00a0 If they have been insist they be re-installed and work properly.\u00a0 Someone else might want to get sued for negligence but you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Buying used equipment is not always buying someone\u2019s old headache.\u00a0 People need to get out of equipment for all kinds of good reasons and if you do your homework and come to the deal well prepared you can save yourself a pile of money.\u00a0 However, if you don\u2019t you can get stuck with a clunker that is nothing but a really expensive paperweight.\u00a0 I know\u2026I bought a used twelve head once that was the single worst equipment purchase I ever made.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As always \u2013 if you want to comment please do so with the tools provided.\u00a0 If you would like to reach me directly you send me an email to steve.freeman@qdigitizing.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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