Buying a Glovebox: New or Used?
A new glove box is a significant investment that often involves a long lead time. A certified used unit costs a fraction of the price and is usually available quickly. We’ll show you when each option is worth it—and where you can find new or used units.
Whether new or used—from a technical standpoint, there’s little difference between the two options, as long as the system has been professionally refurbished. The core technology—consisting of the stainless steel chamber, gas purification system, and control unit—is built to last. The difference lies in the refurbishment, not in the age of the unit.
Cost and Availability
Depending on the configuration, a new glovebox has a lead time of several months and comes with a correspondingly high price tag. A used, well-refurbished unit is often available on short notice and is significantly less expensive. It’s important to factor in the ongoing costs: A poorly refurbished “bargain” glovebox can end up costing more than a properly refurbished unit due to the expense of new gloves, filter cartridges, gaskets, and downtime.
What Matters Technically
- Reconditioning & Decontamination: Is the glovebox professionally cleaned, or is it sold “as is”? This is the biggest cost factor in the long run. To learn how reconditioning is performed, read the article “Decontaminating a Glovebox.”
- Tightness / Leak Rate: Was a pressure test performed?
- Gas Purification: Are the molecular sieve and copper catalyst present and in good condition? See “Gas Purification” for details.
- Wear Parts: Have the gloves, seals, and valves been replaced?
- Delivery & Commissioning: Is this included—or are you on your own with the system?
When to Choose New, When to Choose Used?
For standard applications using argon or nitrogen, a refurbished used system is usually the most economical choice. For highly specialized configurations, specific purity requirements, or if you need a manufacturer’s warranty and specific equipment, a new system is the right choice.
New Systems: MBraun via KeT
We supply new glovebox systems from the complete MBraun product line—configured to suit your application. We support you from planning through factory acceptance testing at the manufacturer’s site, all the way to delivery, installation, commissioning, and training. You can find details on the Sales: New & Used Systems page.
Buy a Used Glovebox: at ml-resale.com
We have outsourced the sale of inspected, refurbished used gloveboxes to our specialized partner, ml-resale.com. There you’ll regularly find currently available used systems. We handle the technical reconditioning and decontamination of these systems—see “Reconditioning & Decontamination.” This ensures you receive a reliable, cost-effective system from an expert source. If you’d like to sell an existing system, consult our guide “Selling a Glovebox (Purchase).”
New or Used: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used glove box technically inferior to a new one?
Not necessarily. Nuclear technology has a long service life; what matters most is the refurbishment. A professionally refurbished used facility operates reliably and has low ongoing costs.
Where can I find new and used glove boxes?
We supply new equipment from the MBraun product line. You can purchase inspected, refurbished used gloveboxes from our partner ml-resale.com—we handle the refurbishment of this equipment.
Does this include delivery and setup?
For new MBraun systems, we deliver, install, commission, and train your team. For used systems from ml-resale.com, we handle refurbishment and—if ordered—delivery and commissioning.
Looking for a glove compartment?
Tell us about your application—the environment, the number of gloves, and your budget. We’ll advise you on new MBraun systems or refer you to our partner, ml-resale.com, for used systems.
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