CNC Machinery Blog

I’ve never been impressed by status. Growing up in Indiana there was no room for prestige or titles in farm country. You were known by your actions and your integrity. There were plenty of bragging rights, like – who could run down the back lane the fastest or solve the Rubik’s cube or take the trash out to the burn...

Considering a last-minute purchase for the year? Please read on -All too often a customer will receive a call from their financial officer in the final weeks of December with an urgent directive to “spend money now – or pay taxes later!” Sometimes this is for simple tax planning, sometimes specifically to take advan...

Are you looking to upgrade and need to trade-in your current CNC machine for a newer model? We have a trusted process in place to handle your trade-in with your new dealer of choice AND help you get the best value for your machine. If you are planning to buy a new machine at IMTS, now is the time to act. IMTS is ra...

Navigating the Price LandscapeThe cost of entry-level CNC machines varies widely, influenced by brand, capabilities, and the level of technology. Small, entry-level CNC machines can start at under $5000 and go all the way up to over $500,000 depending on several main factors including size, speed, complexity, and qu...

Haas VF-2SS vs VM-2: An Interview with Haas Veteran Herb Sheppard  We recently spoke with retired Haas machine dealer Herb Sheppard to ask him about the difference between the Haas VF-2SS and Haas VM-2. We did so having heard from a shop owner who was deciding between these two machines and needed help, so we reache...

We realize that buying a CNC machine for your shop is a big investment, and many customers wonder how long a CNC machine will last. Typically, a well-maintained CNC machine can serve your manufacturing needs for anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on usage intensity, maintenance routines, and the machine's origi...

Whether you're upgrading to a newer model or reducing your inventory, selling your CNC Vertical Machining Center can be a daunting task. Finding a reliable and experienced dealer can be the difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a prolonged, stressful process. Enter Clark Machinery Sales—your go-to when it...

CNC machines are known for their precision, efficiency, and accuracy. Due to its versatility, the CNC milling machine (also referred to as a CNC machining center) is the most commonly used across industries. Known for its ability to create complex parts with high precision, CNC machining centers can be found in both...

Doosan (now DN Solutions) has been selling turning centers in the US market for over 30 years and are well known for their precision and reliability. Along with a variety of more complex turning options, they offer two main lines of horizontal CNC lathes - the Doosan Puma and the Doosan Lynx. Both lines offer a vari...

Questions and Answers with Bob Connor Q: How did you join Clark Machinery Sales?A: Growing up, my family owned a warehousing and logistics company called Connor Trading Company, which eventually became Locust Industries. I went to work for them as a truck dispatcher after college, and eventually moved from operation...

Have you decided to purchase your first CNC machining center (also called milling machine) and don't know where to begin? With so many reputable brands and machine models, it can be an overwhelming process. Selecting the right starter mill is pivotal for both learning and production success, and we are here to help ...

CNC machinery represents a significant investment due to its sophisticated technology and the comprehensive capabilities it offers. From precision engineering to versatile machining, the cost factors into the design, software, and components that make these machines indispensable in modern manufacturing. At Clark Ma...

I’m usually all about marketing, branding, “top of mind” – and I don’t fault companies for using each holiday as a reason to reach back out to customers under the guise of holiday-celebration. But sometimes I balk at this, even though we do it as well. Somehow, I’m more sentimental this year. Maybe it’s my oldest ch...

One of the first questions you might have when starting the appraisal process is what the timeline will be. There are several factors that play into the determination of this.Is the appraisal inspected or uninspected – when we are required to coordinate a time, travel to your facility, and document all the informati...

Having been a machine tool dealer for over 20 years and an appraiser for much of that time, one of the most common questions I receive is, “what type of appraisal should I get?” After a series of questions from my side, we generally learn that the customer’s needs are like most manufacturer’s needs – they need a cu...

Appraisals are like a well-stocked toolbox, you don’t know which one you’ll need, but it’s good to be ready with the right tool. This blog will help you determine when to hire an appraiser and what to expect.Clark Machinery Sales is a longstanding member of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) and the ...

When diving into the world of CNC machining, one of the first questions that emerges is: Which CNC brand is best? The answer isn't straightforward, as it heavily depends on your specific needs, including the materials you plan to work with, the complexity of the parts you intend to produce, and, of course, your budg...

Questions and Answers with Pete Zaleski Q: How did you join Clark Machinery Sales?A: While catching up with Troy and Helen for lunch one fateful day, I mentioned that I was having a hard time finding the right job for me- one that put me in a position to give back to my customers, co-workers, and community. Firefigh...

Often, I receive the following question: “Do you have control of this machine deal? Why do I see it on other dealer’s websites? How am I supposed to know who to work with?”Here’s the anatomy of how it happens:Let’s say we find a Haas ST-30Y, only a few years old, super clean. Our first step in promoting it is to pu...

A friend of mine made a bucket-list purchase of an antique, forest green, Jaguar coupe. I can assure you he took every care to ensure it showed up at his door as spotless as the pictures he received from the showroom seven states away. When you purchase a machine, you are spending on average two to three times as ...

We often get asked the question "Which brand of CNC machines are the best?"  Three of the most well-respected manufacturers of CNC machines are Haas, Doosan (now DN Solutions), and Okuma, each known for specific strengths that cater to various manufacturing needs. Haas is known for its versatile, American-made machi...

I love the movies. The last movie I saw in the theaters was “Free Guy”, Ryan Reynolds latest blockbuster. It’s all about an NPC (Non-Playable Character) in an online game realizing his freedom and capitalizing on it. Everyone likes freedom. Americans celebrate it daily (or try). But most machine shops buying us...

Questions & Answers with Dan PurcellTroy: Congratulations on securing your USPAP appraiser certification! How do you see the value of this?Dan: Thank you. On one level this certification helps expand my services professionally. On another level, the fact that we now have three Certified Equipment Appraisers on staf...

Full disclosure, I sell used machine tools for a living, so I know I’m biased when discussing the reasons you should buy a used machine. Despite that, in selling machines for over 10 years, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits that buying used offers to our customers.This is in no way an argument against buying a new m...

Questions & Answers with Don AroTroy: Congratulations on securing the highest level of AMEA certification, your Certified Equipment Appraiser (CEA) status, and passing your USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) training course! How do you see the value of this?Don: Thank you! Becoming a certif...

Here are 5 suggestions that I always make when I am presented with machinery a customer wants me to broker for them. My conviction is that the five suggestions below enable most situations to be win-win for both seller and buyer.1. Clean the machine. I just sold an Okuma Cadet LNC-8. Great machine. Low use, and cutt...

In our past two articles we have shared two of the three primary mistakes buyers of new machinery sometimes make. These observations are from our vantage point when assessing value and potential resale desirability. Not the sole focus when buying new, but certainly worthy to consider as we have seen it bring heartac...

Our previous blog referenced 3 basic mistakes we have seen our customers make when purchasing new machines from their OEM dealer of choice. The first article addressed what we have seen when lathes are purchased. Our recommendation, while not dramatic, was – when possible always include a tailstock (not to mention l...

Ever wish you knew more? I do. I always wish I knew more because when I don’t know enough is when I experience disappointment. And the more I grow in my professional life, the more I realize my limitations. But I keep growing. I used to be a college kid, now I’ve got two kids of my own. I used to be a salesman, now ...

Last fall a great customer shot me an email, “Troy, if you can find me another Haas ST30SSY , just like the other one you sold me, I’d have interest.” Say no more! When one of your best customers asks anything of you – you jump to it!This customer is very special to me. I have been to his plant, met his team and sol...