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Completing One's Shop and Woodworking Jigs
Woodworking jigs are among the most vital pieces of equipment for woodworkers and, unfortunately, also among the most expensive. A woodshop is hardly complete without such a device and most complex cuts require that they be employed. While a hand jig-saw may be adequate for those whose woodworking endeavors are restricted to entirely hobby-level affairs, commercial woodworkers will find themselves unable to complete their orders without a commercial-grade piece of equipment that allows craftspeople to do precision cuts at a very rapid rate. Most often, purchasing these devices used is the only feasible option for smaller shops.
A functional woodworking shop requires a significant investment of money on the part of the owner. Oftentimes, the revenue generated by new work will be inadequate to keep the equipment upgraded to a level commensurate with the workload of a growing business. Many businesses that are on their way up rely on used equipment to keep themselves in operation and ahead of their orders without breaking the bank. There is a secondary benefit to this in that many professional woodworkers prefer certain brands and styles of equipment and, sometimes, this equipment is older than what's currently on the market.
Because jigs and other equipment takes a good deal of abuse and because the failure of that equipment can have extremely severe consequences, one must make absolutely certain that any used equipment has been maintained and that its safe operation can be guaranteed. When one is dealing with a sharp blade that oscillates at hundreds of times per second, there is no room for error and, even though the goal when purchasing used equipment is to save money, one must make certain that they are not purchasing equipment that is beyond its useful service life. Inspection is necessary.
Some older jigs and other equipment may not meet current safety standards. OSHA has very specific requirements where guards are concerned and, if equipment does not meet these standards, one must investigate whether or not that equipment can be modified to bring it into compliance or whether it is simply outdated and, thus, constitutes a purchase not worth making. This, of course, not only ensures that one does not run afoul of regulations but that one's employees are given the greatest possible consideration toward their health and safety on the job. Woodworking is a potentially dangerous endeavor when safety is not considered and used equipment will require inspection.