Spotted a used 3D printer for sale, and keen to buy it? Read our guide to the benefits and potential pitfalls of buying a used 3D printer.

Buying a printer is a considerable investment that requires a fair bit of research. They can be pretty expensive. If you’re in the market for one, it’s totally reasonable that you’d be scouring the internet for a special offer or discounted price-tag.

But should you buy used 3D printer? There are quite a few used 3D printers available, and as a cost-effective alternative, it’s miiiiighty tempting. You just need to scroll through eBay, Gumtree or Craigslist to find some absolute bargains…

STOP! Before prising open your wallet for a used 3D printer, there are a few things you should know first:

• Buying a used 3D printer is not like buying a used car. You won’t be able to dig out a record of previous owners or comprehensive service history, for one thing. You won’t know how intensively it’s been used, or for what purpose, or by how many people.
• There may be “after-market” upgrades. An eager owner may have added things like dual extruders or heated print-beds, or new hot-ends, which has an impact on the performance of the used 3D printer (and void the manufacturer warranty, if there is one).
• How close is the used 3D printer to the end of the product cycle? Will there be long-term support in terms of firmware upgrades? Has the current generation been plagued with faulty parts? What happens if you need to source spare parts?

As you can see, a used 3D printer for sale is deceptively complicated!

Used 3D Printer for Sale: A Refurbished 3D Printer is the Best Option

So, if after reading all the above about used 3D printers, you might be thinking that buying a used 3D printer is not such a good idea after all. Think again! There is a third alternative: try looking for a refurbished 3D printer for sale.

Buying a certified, refurbished 3D printer from the manufacturer provides added peace of mind because the machines have been tested, inspected and repaired by qualified technicians.

The reason for these used 3D printers being refurbished can vary, whether they were demo units, or faulty, or returned by dissatisfied customers. Regardless, their loss is your gain, and you easily save a couple of hundred bucks off the list price.

Used 3D Printer for Sale: Inspection Notes

Finally, some inspection notes for used 3D printers. If you have the opportunity to inspect and test a used 3D printer before handing over your hard-earned cash, remember to look for the following:

Step 1: With the power turned off, check if the print head can be easily moved by hand.

Step 2: Check if the frame is still sturdy and hasn’t sustained any damage.

Step 3: Print off a quick test object like 3DBenchy. Using a pair of calipers, verify if the size and quality of the printed object are correct.

Step 4: When running a test print, use a fast speed setting (as opposed to slow) so that mechanical problems of the used 3D printer will become more apparent.

Step 5: Try changing the filament, and keep an eye out for problems like stripped filament.

Step 6: In all likelihood, you’re going to have the change the print head of the used 3D printer, since that sustains the most wear and tear. But take a closer look, in any case, see if any unexpected gunge is being extruded.

Step 7: Check the temperature of the heated bed, and whether the heat is evenly distributed.

Step 8: Probe the seller about the history of the used 3D printer, and maintenance or upgrades that have been made (if any). Can they offer any troubleshooting support once the sale is concluded?

And that’s the end of our used 3D printer buyer’s guide. Somewhere out there, there’s a perfectly functional second-hand machine that seeks a loving new home. Good luck in your quest!