Chuck;
You live in a state that does not regulate Electrologists? From what I experienced here in Washington State, which also happens to be unregulated, is that just about anyone will sell to you when they find out the state is not regulated.
The very scary part of this is that anyone can just buy a machine and set up business even without any training. Some just watch someone else for a while and figure they can do that, others work for a while under another electrologist, and then set off on their own. Personally, I did not want to do that, and choose to attend a school in California called the American Institute of Education. I was lucky in that my previous employer picked up the cost of schooling. I do recommend this school to others. The textbook they use, is the book by Hinkle.
What I am saying is that, you can buy any electrolysis machine that you can afford. The state does not regulate. In fact, you could even call yourself an electrologist and start practice, however getting malpractice insurance might be difficult. Graduating from school from a recognized electrology school works wonders in getting insurance. Until you can get insurance, you will be totally liable for your actions. Something very much to consider before practicing on someone else.
But you can present yourself as an electrologist even without training in your state.
I do not know what kind of educational background you may already have, but personally, I am very glad that I took Medical Assisting prior to deciding to take up electrology. Most of the better electrologist in my area, do have a medical background prior to becoming an electrologist.
It sound that the major concern is the cost of getting equipment and supplies for you. It has been very expensive for me to set up business with supplies and everything. Another concern you may have down the road is Sterilization. Autoclaves are also expensive, but Dry Heat is a bit more economical. Forceps aka Tweezers need to be sterilized. Dry Heat requires 320-350 degrees F. But just a normal oven does not keep temps close enough fluctuation wise. However, using an oven is better than nothing in my opinion. But if you have been around here for long, you probably already know much of this.
This is a good forum to get questions answered from.

dfahey,
I just ordered the manual from Clareblend, which will not be shipped until tomorrow by regular mail, so it may take some time to arrive, but at least I know it is coming. It is at least available.

Hi James.

I think if I want to personally sell one of my epilators in the future, I will utilize the AEA website forum for electrologists, first, or offer it back to the manufacturer, but at least your clarification has helped if I ever want to go in another direction. Do you know if a company like Clareblend or the such, does re-sales on their own used equipment for electrologists that may want a back-up?

This is a jewel. I would consider going to my credit union to get a small signiture amount to get this one.

Apilus Senior II. with light use

This is a full-on great machine. Worth every penny. I would pay in the $1,500 ballpark and still be happy to win it. I would say it's too much for the beginner, and it is. But, if a good unit like this comes around, it's worth it to grow into it. I'm thinking it'll close in the $1,700's.

Mantaray

Most companies that have any type of "buy-back" program really only offer what constitutes a type of "Trade-In" on a new machine. Apilus will give you a discount on any of their machines in the amount of the trade-in allowance on what ever make and model electrolysis machine one is parting with when stepping up to their products. Much like used cars, however, one may be able to get more money in the open market selling it one's own and putting actual dollars towards the purchase of the new equipment.

If one just wants to do a simple cash exchange for usable electrolysis equipment, Dr. Myron Heimlich at Texas Electrolysis Supply is the person to talk to, as T.E.S. sells refurbished Electrolysis machines to students, and upgrading professionals the world wide. (He also "Majors" in snapping up the best machines off Ebay, denying our hairtell friends of cheap machines )

I remember a Clareblend travel Miniblend once that I forgot to bid on, I had been following it. Dr. Heimlich got it for something like $120 dollars. I wanted it as a backup/traveller. It was a great little machine.

Mantaray

I think this would be a good machine for me. The mini blend. It says low intensity, so thats why I'm a bit weary. I just want a machine to get rid of hair, and nothing else. Galvanic, Blend, THermolysis, I don't really care. I just want it gone. The low-intensity marketing of the mini-blend screamed to me ineffective, but maybe that is not the case.

Hey Chuck, The MiniBlend probably has more than enough power to suit your needs. Most pro machines are used on the low end of their setting range. My electrologist uses close to the very bottom-end range for me, just enough to do the job for that bodypart. Her machine is quite capable of far more. The electrologist before her used a '2' on a Hinkel Classic. I only use my Silhouet-Tone machine at 60% of it's Flash capability, at about 75% of preprogrammed sequential blend levels. And this is for major hairs. I've tried using it at 70% and 80% and it's plenty powerful, even with the time-of-delivery at minimal lengths. What I'm trying to say is that the upper levels of most of these machines is designed to take hair off elephant hide, you know, bragging rights, like a 454 ci engine, a 32 Volt DeWalt cordless, or a 1300cc Ducati.

What the Miniblend offers is a good comfortable working range. I guess they figure clients that need upper ranges probably wouldn't be in the setting a Miniblend would be used. These are machines that can be taken out for quick face work, underarms and pubic, or touch ups. For someone like you, it could be a mainstay, but to a pro doing day in day out, the manufacturer knows they would opt for more power, for those infrequent cases, and automation, for ease and accuracy. Even if a Miniblend was loaded with power, it would still be not the best machine to be tied to for eight hours, Clareblend knows this, so they focused on portability. But I just love the way it's so compact and portable with it's heavy duty case. What neat little machine!

Mantaray

Chuck,
Here is my take on the advertising for the Mini-blend. By Low Intensity, my take is the the RF levels are probably about 25% of what you would expect on a Thermolysis machine. For Blend, the purpose of the RF is only to warm the lye being produced by the Galvanic action, and so a high level of Radio Frequency Energy is not required. If you are wanting a machine that you hope to eventually use for Flash and Thermolysis, this is not the machine that you would want, but if you do not plan to learn those techniques, then I agree this would meet your needs for doing either Galvanic or Blend. Just do not expect to handle the Thermolysis modalities with this machine.
One of the things I dislike about my apilus when it comes to trying to use blend, is that at least on my unit, the RF level is not adjustable and is set to just about 25% of the units capabilities. This I have verified with my electronic scope. I can very the galvanic current and time, but have no control at all over the RF current other than which leads what.
That is my main reason for wanting a backup machine that could perform Blend as its main means of operation. To give myself some versatility. I am looking forward to receiving my unit and the manual so that I can go through the machine and check it out.

hi, i have been reading this thread for a while, and appreciate all the information on these machines. right now there is a kree on ebay that seems to be going for around $200 (if it stays there), and i'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it. i have been using a silhouettone sb8 for many years, and love it. i thought this one might be a good back up. any ideas?
thanks lots,
naomi