Resources for Machine Parts

What is it with machine parts? They seem to break down constantly. The only thing that costs more than the parts is the service fee. Constantly removing your wallet from your rear pocket to pay the charges is a pain in the tush. What can you do about it? For starters, if you find machine parts and learn to replace them yourself you will save a bundle.

Sometimes you pay many more times more in labor than the cost of the machine parts. The owner of a print shop in Utah, for example, paid a press repairman to come in from out of state to fix the problem. The bill came to over $3,000 for the repair, including travel time and expenses. What's more, the press still didn't work right. The repairman said he would charge again to return. The print shop owner opened the press, found the broken part that the repairman had overlooked, and fixed it himself for less than $100. The print shop owner has done all his own repairs ever since.

1. Locate a dependable machine parts provider near you for quick delivery.

2. Keep extra parts on hand--just to be safe.

3. Purchase used parts to save money.

Order machine parts somewhere nearby for fastest delivery

Machine parts are generally delivered more quickly if you order them from a business near you. If the business is in the same state, some parcel delivery companies will have the parts delivered the next day even when you don't pay extra for next-day service. However, if you are on the East Coast and the company you order parts from is on the West Coast, it might take a week or more for the shipment to arrive.

Buy extra machine parts such as belts and hoses that break down often

Some machines just don't hold up like others. Broken machine parts waste valuable production hours. When the machine doesn't work, nobody can. Keep several belts, hoses and other easily breakable items on hand.

Get used machine parts for extra savings

Don't waste money on new machine parts when used ones will do, especially those parts not apt to break again any time soon.

• Buy a used machine just like the one you use at work. It doesn't have to function, just keep it around so you can cannibalize machine parts from it. Use those parts to repair your working machine when you need to. It can save you a lot of money over time, especially if the machinery is no longer in production.