Used Welding Machines

Everyone likes to get a bargain, and when monetary circumstances are constrained, finding a good bargain on something that is needed may be the only alternative to not buying it at all. In the case of mechanical objects, a bargain is usually to be had by finding a used device that is old enough so that its cost is considerably lower than a new machine, but that is still in good enough repair to last the purchaser quite a while after it comes into their possession. Used cars are the example which spring most readily to mind in this regard – finding an affordable car that still has several years of driving in it is the goal of everyone who visits a local used car lot.

However, the enterprising or thrifty welder can often save quite a bit of money by buying a used welding machine as well. Buying a used welding machine may be the way for an individual user to get a welding machine they could not otherwise afford, or for a garage or other shop that works frequently with metal to expand the amount of repair and construction work they can do without the expense of buying a brand-new welding machine in addition to those they already have.

The best used welding machines are those which have been reconditioned and carry a guarantee. The potential buyer of used welding machines should educate themselves at least somewhat on the reconditioning process, so that they can judge whether or not the seller of the machine has reconditioned it properly, using a few well-chosen questions to draw them out.

What the reconditioning process involves

Since a welding machine is quite a bit smaller and simpler than a car, reconditioning of the welder can be far more comprehensive than a mechanic fixing up a used car for sale.  A properly reconditioned used welding machine should have undergone at least most of the steps outlined below.

Reconditioning usually starts with a complete disassembly of the welding machine. The frame is cleaned, either with solvents or sandblasting, and repaired if necessary – which, ironically, may involve welding new pieces of metal into place to fill any holes that the welding machine has acquired during its previous service. The machine should also be repainted at this stage, generally with rust-resistant paint.

All working parts of the machine should be cleaned and restored, while worn-out or damaged parts should be outright replaced. Electrical contacts throughout the welding machine should be cleaned and, if necessary, mechanically ground to make sure all currents travel through the device properly. The air system is cleaned and tested during a reconditioning, and directional air valves should be replaced at a minimum. Pneumatic components may also need replacement.

The electrical system is intensively examined during reconditioning, with every part of the system tested separately with circuit testers and inspected for corrosion, damage, and wear. Any potentially problematic areas of wiring should be entirely removed and replaced with new wiring that meets official guidelines for this type of welding machine. On the mechanical side, bearings and other wearing parts should automatically be replaced, while all other mechanical components should be inspected and any damaged or worn pieces replaced as well.

Once all of these steps have been carried out, the machine should be reassembled carefully, and another used welding machine should be ready to provide years more service to a thrifty welder.

Guarantees as a sign of reconditioning quality

As with nearly any other piece of used machinery, the guarantee that is offered with a used welding machine is a good guide to how well the seller believes they have restored the welding machine to working order. A guarantee of three years (36 months) after reconditioning is exceptional, but a guarantee of even a year or two – or even six months – demonstrates the reconditioning firm’s confidence in their own professionalism, and is a guide to how much work can be expected out of the welding machine. Choosing carefully, it is possible to make the most of a good bargain and obtain a used welding machine that will last for several years at a very affordable price.