What should I check about a frame shop’s mat cutter and mounting press?
Run both machines yourself. Cut sample mats and look for clean bevels and square corners. Mount a test piece in the press and check for even heat, steady pressure and no bubbles or lifted edges. Ask for service records, and find out how old each machine is and whether spare parts are still available.
For the mat cutter, ask the seller to cut a few boards in different thicknesses while you watch. Check how the blade holds its edge, how the guide rails move and whether cuts match from corner to corner. A computerized cutter adds software and a licence to consider, so ask who holds the files and designs.
For the press, look at the platen, the seals and the controls. Ask how often the heating element, vacuum pump or membrane has been replaced and who does the repairs. A press that works only with constant tinkering can slow production at the worst times.
Ask what a replacement would cost, how long a supplier would take to deliver and whether parts are still made for these models. Find out which jobs depend on these machines and how many a day the shop really runs through them. An equipment appraiser can give you an independent view of condition and remaining life. Also ask about operator skill. A machine in good order still needs someone who can use it well, so find out who trained the staff and whether you could keep them.
Key takeaways
- Watch both machines run on real samples before you trust the seller’s word.
- Ask who services them, how often, and whether parts are still available.
- Tie each machine to the jobs and income that depend on it.
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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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