Is it worth it to buy a used or refurbished welding machine?
The demand for welding machines has grown over the years as more and more people get interested in welding either as a career or as a do it yourself venture. Where to buy a refurbished welding machines and how to choose the correct one is a headache to most people who are in need of a welding machine. Welding machines have become more popular and the manufacturers are also producing a variety of them to cater the needs of different users. Welding machines do not wear out as easily and most people find themselves outgrowing the welding machines they have, but the welding machines are still in good condition. As a result, there are many people out there who have an extra welding machine lying in their garage or workshop looking for someone to buy it so that they can top up the amount and buy a welding machine that will meet their current need. There are traders who specialize in buying used welding machines and refurbishing them and sell them to people who need them at a bargain price.
The question therefore to most people who want to buy a refurbished welding machine is where to buy refurbished welding machines and how to choose the correct one?
There are various ways of checking which machine fits your needs and what is going to serve your current needs or short term needs without having to spend a lot of money on a machine that might even be obsolete in the long term future. All this depends on the need of the user of the welding machine. Below are factors that should be considered while buying a welding machine (they are not in the order of importance as the user knows which factors would be most important to him). These factors are:
Factors to consider when buying a welding machine:
- Make – There are people who normally trust a certain brand and would therefore not buy any other brand in the market. It is good to review other makes as they could also be equally good and even meet your needs better.
- Uses– What one intends to do with the welding machine dictates what he can buy. Some users need it for construction, farm work, general maintenance, home, automobile body repairs among other uses. Also it may be used for heavy duty works such as metal works which may be of different sizes of metal.
- Power input – For single phase welding machine need single phase input power which are normally found in homes and small garages. This will normally require 115volts or 230 volts. Where electrical power is not available, a gas powered or engine driven welding generator can supply the power.
- Price – How much a user wants to spend on a welding machine dictates his capability to buy a certain machine.
- Portability – if a machine will be used in different places, then it is important to consider how it will be moved from time to time without having difficulties. This calls also for safety to the user and to the machine while transporting the machine and also the availability of moving facilities e.g trolleys
- Level of skill of the user – some welding machines require high levels of skills from the user and may not be of user to the person using the welding machine.
- Date of manufacture – it is good to know when the welding machine was manufactured so that one can tell whether the machine is obsolete or not.
Where to buy refurbished welding machines
There are various places where one can buy welding machines buy with online shops in today’s modern world, one can buy virtually from anywhere. There are various websites that specialize with refurbished welding machines. They include:
http://www.weldingmart.com/
http://www.northerntool.com/
www.ebay.com/bhp/refurbished-welders
www.cyberweld.co.uk
www.weldersupply.com/
www.millerwelds.com
www.weldplus.com/welderlist.asp
Photo in this post by beaumontpete
