Glass edging machines grind and polish the edges of glass, from a simple arrised edge to a flat polished or pencil edge. A used machine can be a good way into the work, but wear in the spindles, the carriage and the water system is not always obvious. This checklist covers what to check before buying a used straight-line edger, a double edger or a shaped-glass edging machine.
Before you view
- Type. Straight-line edgers work along the length of a sheet, and double edgers do two parallel edges at once. Shape edgers and CNC machines can follow a curved or irregular outline.
- Size and thickness. Check the minimum and maximum glass size and thickness the machine can take, and compare them with the work you do.
- Number of spindles. More spindles allow a finished edge in one pass, but each one has a motor and bearings that wear.
- Edge types. Check that the machine can produce the edges you sell, such as flat polished, pencil, bevel or arrised.
- Power and floor space. Most machines need three-phase power and a water supply and drain, and are heavy. Measure the space and check the floor.
- Make and model. Find out whether spare parts and wheels are still available. Browse the makers listed on the used glass edging machines page.
Spindles, motors and wheels
- Run each spindle and listen for bearing noise. Rumbling, grinding or a change in note when load comes on are warning signs.
- Check each spindle for play by hand, with the machine switched off and isolated.
- Ask when the spindle bearings were last replaced, and how many wheels are included. Diamond wheels are a major running cost, so check how much life they have left.
- Check the wheel mounts and the quick-change fittings for damage and wear.
Carriage, belts and guides
- Check the conveyor belts or pads for wear, and the guides and rollers for flats and play.
- Move glass through the machine. It should travel without slipping or wandering, and the edge quality should be consistent along the whole length.
- Check the pressure rollers or the top belt on the glass. Uneven pressure can lead to chips and taper.
- Look at the machine bed for scoring and wear, since this affects the flatness of the edge.
Water, coolant and filtration
- Check the pumps, pipes, nozzles and the tank for leaks and scale. Blocked nozzles can burn the glass or the wheels.
- Check the coolant system and the filtration, or the slurry handling. Ask how the waste water is collected and disposed of.
- Look for corrosion on the frame and guards, which is a common problem when coolant has been neglected.
Controls, guarding and safety
- Test every button, switch and display, the emergency stops and the door interlocks. Guards must be in place and effective.
- On CNC machines, check that the software and the control unit work, that the manuals are included and that the machine has been backed up. Controls that are no longer supported can be expensive to repair.
- Check that the machine meets the requirements for second-hand equipment. Read our guide to PUWER and second-hand machinery.
- Edging produces glass dust and swarf, and noise. Check that there is suitable extraction and that you have a plan for hearing protection.
Test the edge
Ask the seller to run a piece of glass of the type you work with, and check the edge for chips, waves, burn marks, taper and a consistent finish. Run a second pass at a different thickness if you can. A good edge from a machine that has been set up for it does not prove the machine will hold its settings, so ask how often it needs adjustment.
Paperwork and payment
- Ask for the manual, wiring diagrams, service records and a list of the wheels and spares included.
- Check the serial number against the invoice, and get proof of ownership and written confirmation that no finance is outstanding.
- Pay by bank transfer to an account in the seller’s or business’s name once you have seen the machine.
- Plan the dismantling, the transport and the installation. Read the guide to transporting used machinery.
Summary: buying a used glass edging machine
Check the spindles and wheels, the carriage and belts, the water system, the controls and guards, and test the edge on your own glass. Then browse used glass edging machines for sale, look at all used glass machinery, or read the general guide to what to check when buying used machinery.
Used glass edging machines for sale
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