What are the key motivators for determining which machine to buy and from whom?
Obviously a number of factors are involved and the more sophisticated/costly the equipment in question, the more that there is to ponder.
In any equation, price is a factor, but obviously not the only one. What you really want to strive for is value. This means evaluating equipment based on the features you need today and imagine you might need in the near future. If you are buying a big-ticket item like a CNC router, you want to consider training, service and parts availability. In this case, you will want to find someone with a proven track record.
To make a better determination, plan on attending IWF in Atlanta this August or, if your foretunate enough to have one, a regional woodworking trade show.
In any regard, draw up a list of questions and don't be shy to repeat one or more of them if you are not happy with the answer.
I've seen Henry Ford being quoted as having said; "To need a piece of machinery and not buy it is to pay for it, but not own it."
The factors you are looking for are many, but not the sort of thing you can evaluate here. When I'm working with clients to help them specify machinery, we look very carefully at their entire existing operation, how they do things now, how they wish to do things in the future, their workforce, how the equipment will match with their existing equipment, etc, etc.
In my mind, while the brand of equipment is crucial, the service and support behind it is just as crucial. And tooling is no less important.
Maybe you can supply us with a bit more information and we can be of more help to you.
Ralph Bagnall
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