Spent $150 on a used edgebander from Craigslist and it was a nightmare

Saw a listing for a Brandt edgebander for $150. Guy said it just needed a new glue pot. Figured I could fix it up for a weekend project. Got it home and the whole heating element was fried. Not just the pot, the whole wiring harness was melted. Spent another $200 on parts and three weekends tracing wires. Still doesn't run right. Glue blobs everywhere, skips spots. Bought a new one last week from a dealer for $1800. Shoulda done that first. Anyone else get burned buying used equipment off marketplace?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_nguyen2424d ago

That $1800 new edgebander seems like a lot, but I've seen people sink way more than that into a beater car and still end up with a headache. My buddy spent $400 on a used table saw and after three months and $600 in parts, it still wouldn't cut straight. Your mileage may vary, but sometimes a new machine is just cheaper in the long run even if it hurts at first.

theaward25d ago

Yeah, I used to think you could save a ton buying used if you had some basic mechanical chops. But one time I grabbed a planer off Facebook for cheap, got it home and the bearings were so shot the cutterhead wobbled. Spent more time and money fixing it than the thing was worth. This edgebander story though, that's a whole different level of nightmare. Makes me wonder if some of these sellers just wait for a sucker who doesn't know what a melted harness even looks like.

mason_foster6825d ago

Three out of four used edgebanders I've bought (stupid, I know) turned out fine after cleaning and a few minor tweaks. Your bad luck sounds more like the seller knew the wiring was toast and dumped it, not a general Craigslist problem. I'd say you just didn't get a good look under the hood before handing over cash, which is on you.