Investing in equipment can be a lot of research and comparisons. Often it’s hard to know whether you are getting a good deal or not until you know the market’s details. CNC lathes and mills are no exception to this rule, largely because of the differences in performance and price point from one brand to the next. Understanding when a brand is well-priced and how it compares to those that are near its price point can help you choose not only the best deal for you bottom line buying machines, but the one that’s most likely to hold value over time as well. That makes it easy to sell your used CNC lathes when the time comes to upgrade, even if you bought used.
Picking a Brand When Buying Used
The first thing to understand when assessing the market, especially the market for used CNC lathe machines, is that the top brands dominate for a reason. That means they tend to be worth the price when they are new. So how do you know whether they are priced well as used machines? Look at the age of the device and its estimated useful life, and then at the discount you get over buying that same machine new. Once you know about how long you can use the machine, figuring out its cost per month will tell you whether a new or used CNC is the best purchase. It’s also a good way to compare used models. You have to know what to expect from a brand before you can estimate these things though.
Mazak has been in the industry for almost the same stretch of time as Okuma, and like Okuma, they have nearly a century of experience providing machines and innovating on their designs. Used Mazak machines tend to be among the more expensive brands because they are known for high-end production and a price tag that fits the quality. They’re also known as a good investment because Mazak machines hold their value. The other thing they’re known for is being very easy to operate. As a result, they are a favorite for makers new to CNC machining.
This Japanese manufacturer has a truly global presence, with facilities on every continent except Antarctica. Mori machines are known as great long-term investments and hold their value even when they are not necessarily the most durable model in the niche. That’s due largely to the company’s serious approach to customer service. Not only is there a convenient 24/7 line for help with DMG Mori products, they also supply replacement parts with 24 hour delivery and a 2 year warranty on any parts sold. Even when a used Mori machine needs a couple repairs, this convenience makes rehabilitation easy. As a result they hold a lot of value, even as fixer-upper investments.
If you are looking for a CNC machine with a legacy, Okuma is a good place to start. The company has been building manufacturing equipment for over 100 years, and it is currently the CNC manufacturer with the largest North American distribution network. Used Okuma lathes have a variety of options that are hard to find in competitor products, but some of these options are newer than others. If you want state of the industry technology without early adopter prices, buying lathes a year or two out of model production is a great way to save. Features include an app store and absolute position encoding to make it easier to restart after a power loss.
Formerly Daewoo Machine Tools, Doosan has been dominating the Korean market for a long time. The company is also the top brand best known for its durability and long lasting functionality. As one of the top six equipment manufacturers in the industry, their machines are well known in most countries whether or not they dominate the market share. Used Doosan machines are quite likely to hold onto their value longer when compared to many other brands, so it should be no surprise if they eventually hold more value than same-year models of brands that were more expensive when both CNC lathes were new.
Find Your Next Used CNC Machine Today
If you are looking to find great deals on used equipment, it’s worth keeping in touch. Premier Equipment buys inventory daily, including full shop setups, so even if the machine you want is not in stock, it probably will be sooner or later. When you are ready to upgrade, it’s easy to get a quote on your old equipment while shopping for deals on previously owned upgrades. Check out the current selection to see more or contact us for more information.
