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80 SMT Magazine • October 2016 "as-is," because you have no idea how much work (and dollars) it will take to get it in good working order and registered by the manufac- turer. There are hundreds of surplus electronic manufacturing and test equipment re-sellers in the market, and they sell through different channels like eBay or SMTNet. Currently, SMT- Net has over 393 used SMT equipment dealers listed. Some have a good reputation for trying to help the customer with as much information as they can, while others may be only look- ing to make a fast buck on a bargain that they themselves found at a flea market. The best situation, if you can find it, is to buy a factory reconditioned machine from a re- spectable manufacturer. Here's the distinction I make between "factory reconditioned" and "re- furbished": A refurbished machine is one that may have been damaged and repaired, while a factory reconditioned unit has had all its worn parts replaced, outdated components updated with new, everything tested to be in good work- ing order, and a factory warranty applied by the manufacturer. There are quite a few resellers who say they recondition used machines, but it's always a risk. Here's why: Most SMT assembly equip- ment is initially licensed and registered with the OEM, similar to a title on a car. So, to get instructions, support and access to spare parts, you'll need to register your used machine with the OEM, and that can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the manufacturer. Not doing so would be taking a big financial and implementation risk, and if you bought from someone other than the manufacturer you could be paying for support they might not be able to deliver. Original manufacturers will often take in older equipment in trade, or buy back machines that their customers have outgrown. They will also seek to purchase back their own brands from companies going out of business. This means you have a pretty good chance of finding a pick and place machine, reflow oven, wave soldering or other system that meets your needs direct from the manufacturer's reconditioned inventory. They won't always offer these machines on their websites, so you just need to remember to ask. HOW TO EVALUATE A USED MACHINE Figure 1: Here are some things to look for in a reconditioned machine, using this reflow oven as an example.