Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 11, 2005 02:50am | #1

   If you don't get a response soon, look for Tom tms  and drop him an email.  He has had one for awhile now, it was the center of attention at the Seattle Knots Fest last summer.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   EricAnderson | Nov 11, 2005 08:03am | #3

   Seems that Kelly Mehler reviewed these combo machines about a year ago in one of the magazines.  I talked to him last year about them and I know he has one now in place of a standard table saw and really likes it.

2. 
   Michael | Nov 11, 2005 07:54am | #2

   Those are 2 mighty fine machines :)

   I would suggest hitting the mini-max forum as well and getting some opinions there.  One thing you'll find is that the discussions are a bit slower, but there is usually very honest and open discussions.  Both machines are well regarded, and some of the owners over there possess both concurrently.

   http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/MiniMax-USA/

   Ask for permission to join, you'll get an invite w/in a day.

   g'luck.

   michael

3. 
   HoustonHeights | Nov 11, 2005 06:12pm | #4

   I purchased a bandsaw from Mini Max a few months ago.  I love the machine and was extremely impressed by their customer service. 

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Nov 11, 2005 07:18pm | #5

   Manny,

   These are two killer machines, hard to believe that you could go far wrong with either machine.

   I personally own the jointer/planer half of the CU 410 Elite (FS 410 Elite), it's a really great machine. From what I know of the Felder vs. Minimax is the Felder's generally offers functionally (motorized table lift's for instance) that Minimax does not offer.  Felder's engineering is slightly more to the anal retentive side,  Minimax engineering philosophy is more pragmatic, but very fine just the same.

   Best of luck

    

1. 
   tms | Nov 12, 2005 04:35am | #6

   Hey Manny,I've owned a MiniMax 300 Smart for about a year and a half, and I'm very pleased with it so far. What I'm even more impressed with is MiniMax's customer service. It is the best I've ever experienced, and I have machines from Grizzley, Delta, and Woodmaster as well.The 410 Elite is just that, the top of the line machine that MM makes. While the CU300 is a top notch machine, the attention to detail on the 410 is even better. MiniMax's closest competition in that area is from Felder, which also has an impressive machine. The Felder machine is maybe a shade closer in it's tolerances, but for most of us, I think that the difference is academic. Wood is an anisotropic material, and to be able to machine it as if it were metal seems, to me, superfluous. Besides, you will pay big bucks for that bit of bragging right, and for any accessories you need later.So, in the end, both are great machines. The big green machine is admittedly nicer, but the folks at MM are the nicest I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with. I don't think you will regret either choice.Tom