Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 08, 2006 08:37am | #1

   I don't know about a better buy, but given the reports on customer service I've read here, I'd give MiniMax very serious consideration.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 08, 2006 03:03pm | #2

   Thanks for the reply forestgirl, i did check minimax and found them a little out of my price range unless someone knows of buying one for less than $1300?

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 08, 2006 06:40pm | #3

   Oooo, ouch, sorry!  I thought they had a new model that could compete with the Laguna price-wise, but nope.  It's $1900.  I understand the concept of $$ being a finite commodity.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Ronaway | Aug 08, 2006 07:21pm | #4

   I have been very satisfied with the 17" Bridgewood that I purchased from Wilke. It is built very solid and delivers a true 2 hp which makes resawing quite a breeze.

   Ron

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 08, 2006 09:48pm | #5

   We'll, Just got off the phone with the sales rep. By the time i get that saw in my house the final price for the 16lt was $1900 the classic was $2200 and the hd was $2500. Wow i had no idea that you had that much extra stuff to buy when you already spend $1300. This one needs to be approved by the CEO of this house hold. AKA the Old Ball and Chain:)

1. 
   Rennie | Aug 08, 2006 10:39pm | #6

   If she ever reads this thread and sees your reference to the "Old ball and chain" you might have to make do with a bow saw!  ;o)Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 09, 2006 06:08am | #7

   So, tell us what the "extra stuff" is!  Not the motor, I hope <g>.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 09, 2006 02:40pm | #8

   No not the motor:) The footbreak is $100, By the way i live in NJ and the shiping is over $300! That a lot for a guy that has a pretty big pickup and plenty of strong men around me. The moblility kit $135 Ect.........To be honest the $300 for shipping bothers me alot when i could go anywhere in the north east for about $100 in gas and pick it up myself.

1. 
   RickLoDico | Aug 14, 2006 06:18pm | #14

   If you're in Nj you're within a commute to Wilke for Bridgewoods, or Woodcraft for Rikons or Grizzly.

3. 
   DJK | Aug 09, 2006 03:46pm | #9

   Why not a nice old vintage machine. Lots of older machines in the east. Start looking. I have less than $600 invested in my 1940s 20" Cresent with 12" resaw and weight of 900lbs.

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 09, 2006 10:37pm | #10

   Where should i look to find these Vintage Machines?

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 10, 2006 04:50am | #11

   I found a 36" Tannewitz a few weeks ago that went for just over $1100 in an auction. A furniture manufacturer in Ark. went down as they couldn't compete with our Moo-Goo-Ga'i-Pan pals. I would have loved it, but.... it would have cost me more to ship it (over a ton of cast iron) and how do I un-load and move it into position? Once you put it somewhere, it kind of has a tendency to be well... permanent. ha.. ha...

   Try auctions, e-bay, word of mouth and local WW clubs. I am also in the market for a $1200 to $1600 BS. Been beating the bush lately and the IWF show is around the corner here in Atlanta. I have found that maybe a 20" is a better deal than an 18" as it has much larger springs to get that tension on a blade I'm looking for.

   You might call some the the major manufacturers and see if they want to sell their floor model at the Atlanta IWF show other than load them up an take them home. If you are not in a "I have to have it now" situation, you are in the drivers seat as competition is fierce.

   Good luck...

   SARGE..

2. 
   bones | Aug 18, 2006 01:28am | #16

   http://www.irsauctions.com/index.asp

   No, its not the infernal revenues services it's industrial recovery services.  Lot's of factory closings. I'm always looking, but never pulled the trigger on anything.  A lot of 3 phase stuff, but I'm seen some big Bandsaws go cheep.  I myslef have the Griz 17" and plenty happy, but one of those big monsters would be nice. Good luck.

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 19, 2006 04:47am | #17

   Well everybody i finally brought..............

   drum role................................................. Its MM S45N, customer service is great there.  Idid so much research on band saws i dont want to see one more stat. But i'm  fealing good about  MM and the this unit . Sorry Lagunna!!!!

4. 
   dtraversi | Aug 10, 2006 07:42am | #12

   You might give the 18" Rikon a try- See if you can find one on the floor at a local Woodcraft?
   FWW gave it a very respectable review "Top Value" I believe? The Top Tool was a Laguna but at a significantly higher price. The website is a bit weak but customer service is top notch. street prices range between $950-$1100.

   I bought mine for re-saw capability- it is awesome
   I've owned mine for 6 months and am quite pleased.
   Good luck- dave

1. 
   DukeG | Aug 10, 2006 12:33pm | #13

   Thanks Guys for all of your suggestions. By the way i did go and look at the rikon in my area ww shop and it is impressive for the price. I must say i fight with saving money or getting something that i can keep for a life time. So when i look at something for it price i get alittle nervous about it. Spend it now or twice later!!!

1. 
   fthom | Aug 17, 2006 09:30pm | #15

   Wood magazine did a detailed review on these and the Rikon got top awards.  Check their website to download the article and see how the others compare plus the +/- of the models tested