How do I judge a cabinet shop’s CNC router and edgebander condition?
Ask for the service records, then watch each machine run a real job. Listen for noise, look at edge and cut quality, and ask what has been replaced. Have a technician inspect both machines, and find out whether parts and support are still available for the models in the shop.
Request every service invoice, along with the log of breakdowns and who fixed them. A machine that has been maintained on a schedule is a different purchase from one repaired only when it stops. Ask how much production time was lost to the last failures.
Ask to see a full job from file to finished part. Check cut accuracy, tear-out, glue lines and edge finish. Ask the operators what they work around. They usually know which machine is the weak point.
Find out whether the software, controller and spare parts are still supported. An older machine that runs well can still be a problem if parts take weeks to arrive. Bring in an independent technician for a proper inspection, and get an equipment appraisal if the machines matter to the deal. Ask your lender whether the equipment can secure financing, and check that the machines are owned outright rather than leased. Finally, think about the cost of being wrong. If the router fails after closing, how long would the shop be down, and could work be sent out in the meantime? Ask the owner whether there is a backup arrangement with another shop, and whether the shop carries spare parts for the parts that fail most often. The answers help you decide how much to budget for repairs in the first year.
Key takeaways
- Request service records and a log of breakdowns and repairs.
- Watch each machine run a real job and ask operators about quirks.
- Hire an independent technician and confirm parts are still available.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
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