With the recent trend in company layoffs, more people are becoming interested in starting their own business, and it's easy to see why. Although starting your own company means that you have to generate your own business, it also means that you'll never be called into a boss's office and told that you have to find another way to pay your mortgage. When starting their own company, most people choose an area of business that they have experience in. For example, hobbyist woodworkers and employees of woodworking companies often decide to start their own woodworking business. However, if this describes you, then you probably realize that there's a hurdle to starting your own woodworking company besides drumming up business: the cost of commercial woodworking machinery.
When you start shopping for commercial woodworking machinery, the sticker shock can be severe. For instance, a high capacity CNC router can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, what do you do? Take out a second mortgage based on your business prospectus? You could, but a smarter idea would be to shop for used industrial woodworking machinery. If you're like most woodworkers who decide to start their own company, then you probably want to open your production line with new machinery. But if your machinery will be industrial grade, then you may as well save money and purchase it used.
Unlike domestic grade machinery, commercial grade machinery is designed to stand up to years of commercial level use without needing frequent repairs. As long as the machinery is well maintained and is used according to its purpose, you can expect it to function well past its indicated lifespan. With this in mind, there is still the question of exactly how much a used industrial woodworking machine costs. In many cases, a used industrial woodworking machine can be purchased for around half of its original sticker price. But if you're thinking about purchasing a top level CNC router, that still means that you might pay into the six figures. But you have to ask yourself this: as you start your woodworking business, will you really need a 5-axis CNC router whose size requires a warehouse-like work setting?
Unless you have a commercial sized work floor and a long list of high demand clients in place, starting with woodworking machines whose purchase price doesn't pressure you to build a large clientele in an unreasonably short amount of time is the smartest choice. As your company grows, you can always use your profits to upgrade your machinery to meet demand.
As you shop for used woodworking machines, the key to investing your money wisely is ensuring that a machine has been properly maintained. Companies that care about their machines always maintain a logged service maintenance record for each machine. By asking to see its maintenance record, you can ensure that a used woodworking machine will meet your business and economic needs at the same time.
When you start shopping for commercial woodworking machinery, the sticker shock can be severe. For instance, a high capacity CNC router can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, what do you do? Take out a second mortgage based on your business prospectus? You could, but a smarter idea would be to shop for used industrial woodworking machinery. If you're like most woodworkers who decide to start their own company, then you probably want to open your production line with new machinery. But if your machinery will be industrial grade, then you may as well save money and purchase it used.
Unlike domestic grade machinery, commercial grade machinery is designed to stand up to years of commercial level use without needing frequent repairs. As long as the machinery is well maintained and is used according to its purpose, you can expect it to function well past its indicated lifespan. With this in mind, there is still the question of exactly how much a used industrial woodworking machine costs. In many cases, a used industrial woodworking machine can be purchased for around half of its original sticker price. But if you're thinking about purchasing a top level CNC router, that still means that you might pay into the six figures. But you have to ask yourself this: as you start your woodworking business, will you really need a 5-axis CNC router whose size requires a warehouse-like work setting?
Unless you have a commercial sized work floor and a long list of high demand clients in place, starting with woodworking machines whose purchase price doesn't pressure you to build a large clientele in an unreasonably short amount of time is the smartest choice. As your company grows, you can always use your profits to upgrade your machinery to meet demand.
As you shop for used woodworking machines, the key to investing your money wisely is ensuring that a machine has been properly maintained. Companies that care about their machines always maintain a logged service maintenance record for each machine. By asking to see its maintenance record, you can ensure that a used woodworking machine will meet your business and economic needs at the same time.
