Used woodworking machines: seven things to check

The best or worst purchase you may make

A used woodworking machine can put serious equipment in your workshop for much less than the price of a new one. It can also leave you with somebody else's expensive problem. What matters is what you check while you are standing in front of it.

The trap of a clean machine

You arrive to find a machine that is spotless, freshly painted and shining. It is tempting to think that the owner must have cared for it.

Sometimes that is true. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint hides rust and old marks. Paint tells you nothing about the motor or its bearings.

Seven things to check

1. The motor

Have the machine started and listen. The motor should come up to speed smoothly, without strained sounds or a bearing rumble. Check for the distinctive smell of burnt insulation, which tends to linger. A motor or bearing fault can be one of the most expensive surprises after a purchase.

2. Cracks in castings

Inspect the table, base and other cast parts carefully for cracks. Repairing a crack in cast iron takes specialist work, costs money and may leave the machine out of alignment. A crack in a load-bearing casting is a strong reason to walk away.

3. Surface and flatness

Light surface rust can often be removed. A warped table is another matter. Take a reliable straightedge and check the table in two or three directions. If you can see a substantial gap beneath it over a long distance, your workpiece may never sit properly.

4. Missing safety parts

On a used saw, look for the blade guard, riving knife and safety switch. Missing parts are not minor details. Replacements can cost more than expected and may be hard to find for an older model. Without them, the machine may be unsafe to use. Add the cost of the missing parts before judging the discount.

5. Guides, sliding carriage and play

This is where cutting accuracy shows. Check the sliding carriage for play and move it through its travel. Move each fence along its range: does it lock firmly and stay parallel? A machine that will not hold its setting will cause trouble on every job.

6. Spare parts and service

Before paying, ask who will repair the machine if something fails. Are parts for this exact model available in Greece? A cheap machine without practical support can become unusable after its first breakdown.

7. Electrical supply

Is the machine single-phase or three-phase? Many apparent bargains require three-phase power. If your workshop does not have it, include the cost of an electrician and any necessary upgrade or suitable inverter before you commit.

The five-minute demonstration

Do not judge a machine only by hearing its motor run without a load. Ask to see the machine working on a piece of wood, with a competent operator and the required guards in place. Vibration, play and a motor that struggles under load may only become apparent during actual work.

If the seller will not demonstrate it, take that seriously.

Where a used machine can make sense

• Often worth considering: sturdy, simpler machines with sound castings and readily available replacement parts.
• Take extra care: machines with extensive electronics or rare processing units, where a repair could cost as much as the machine.

If you would rather inspect a machine with us, browse the used woodworking machines we have available. We check and test machines before offering them for sale; ask what was checked on the specific listing. If you have found one elsewhere and want a second opinion, send us its photos and details.

Three points to remember

1. Motor and bearings: listen, check for smells and see the machine work under load.
2. A crack in a load-bearing casting: take it as a serious warning.
3. Missing safety parts: their replacement cost can exceed the apparent saving.

Tell us

What was your best—or worst—used-machine purchase? Share what you learned so other woodworkers know what to check.