Buying a Used Bag Making Machine: A Checklist

A used bag making machine is an attractive way to enter bag production on a smaller budget or to add capacity quickly. But condition varies enormously on the second-hand market: a machine that ran for years with regular maintenance can sit in the same listing as one that stood idle for ages with parts missing. This guide collects everything you should check, step by step, before buying.

Define your needs first

The most common mistake is to find a cheap machine and then try to fit the product to it. Start by defining bag style, size range, film gauge and target output; our guide on how to choose a bag making machine helps here. A machine that does not fit your needs is expensive, however low the price.

Mechanical checklist

Sealing bar and hot knife

• Inspect the sealing bar for bending, cracks or uneven wear.
• Confirm the heaters warm up evenly along the full length; a cold zone opens one side of the seal.
• Check PTFE tapes and silicone rubbers; they are consumables, but they reveal maintenance habits.
• Test that thermocouples and temperature controllers read correctly.

Bearings, rollers and drive train

• Run the machine empty and listen to the bearings; humming or knocking signals wear.
• Look for cracks, ovality or hardening on the nip roller coatings.
• Check belts, chains and gears for play and wear.
• Inspect the frame for weld repairs, cracks or distortion.

Pneumatics

Check cylinders for leaks, valves for slow response and hoses for hardening. Air leaks raise compressor costs and upset seal timing.

Electrical and control checklist

Servo motors and drives

The servo system is the heart of length accuracy. Check drives for logged faults, motors for overheating, and whether length tolerance holds at different speeds. Always ask about spare parts availability for older drive generations; a discontinued drive can mean a long shutdown when it fails.

PLC, HMI and cabinet

• Ask whether a backup of the PLC program exists and whether access passwords will be handed over.
• Make sure every area of the touchscreen responds.
• Look inside the cabinet for burn marks, improvised wiring or bypassed safety circuits.
• Always test emergency stops and guard door interlocks.

Photocell and sensors

If you print, verify the photocell reads the eye-mark reliably at different speeds. Counting and stacking sensors must also work properly.

The trial run: the most important step

No checklist replaces a trial run with your own film. If possible, bring film in the size and gauge you will produce and run the machine at target speed for at least 20–30 minutes. Watch for:

• Seal strength: pull bags by hand and hang a load on them.
• Length tolerance: measure randomly picked bags.
• Stack quality and counting accuracy.
• Whether performance holds once the machine is warm.
• Scrap rate and changeover time.

Documents and history

• Invoice and ownership documents, plus the machine's history: age and products it ran.
• Electrical diagrams, operating manual and any maintenance records.
• Whether accessories such as dies, spare knives and the punching press are included.
• When the machine was last overhauled, and by whom.

Why a refurbished machine is the safer bet

With an as-is machine, the buyer carries all the risk. A refurbished machine has had worn parts replaced, its electrics and pneumatics checked and its performance confirmed with a trial run. It may cost more upfront, but it greatly reduces breakdowns and downtime in the first months. Factor that in when comparing offers, as discussed in our bag making machine prices guide.

Used bag making machines from Mestaş Makina

Besides building new machines, Mestaş Makina sells second-hand bag making machines. Machines in stock are delivered after refurbishment and a trial run, with installation, operator training, spare parts and technical service. We also provide overhaul and maintenance support for machines you already own. See current stock on our used bag making machines page.

Conclusion

A well-chosen used machine can pay back quickly; a poorly chosen one becomes a permanent cost. Work through the checklist, insist on a trial run and agree on after-sales support upfront. For stock machines or refurbishment services, message us on WhatsApp at +90 537 718 18 34 or reach us via our contact page.