Hello all, first time posting a question. I am interested in getting a bandsaw. I’m relatively new to woodworking but have become very passionate about it. I always try to buy the best tool possible – I have the chance to buy a used Mini Max (3-4yrs), I’ve heard they are one of the better brands (laguna etc) do you guys agree? Is Mini Max a pretty “safe bet”? Thanks for the help.
Mikemd
Replies
Very safe.
" Is Mini Max a pretty "safe bet"?..."
A few weeks ago, I was also looking at purchasing a new bandsaw. I was considering Jet, Grizzly and Mini-Max based on input from folks on the Forum. I'm sure Mini-Max is worth the selling price; it was way more than I wanted to spend so I got the Grizzly and have been very pleased with it.
As far as whether you should purchase the used Mini-Max, it's probably a safe bet. Something you need to consider is why the other person is selling it. Is the other person someone you know? What is the condition of the saw? Is it used or REALLY USED?
Good luck!
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Very safe. I bought a new S14 (their smallest bandsaw) in September. Great saw and excellent customer service and support. If it's an MM16 in good shape at a good price, like metod says run for it. Last bandsaw you'll probrably ever need to buy.
I have the MM 16 and would have no hesitation buying a used MM 16 or anything else MM. These are pro tools and the folks that buy them do not abuse them.
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Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
It's an S45, I'm worried about the size - but you can't touch a Mini Max or laguna for much under 2grand, so 7 to 8 hundred seems like a bargain.
Mike,
I have an S45. This is an 18" bandsaw with about a 10" resaw capability, less than the MM16 which I believe has a capacity of 12". The S45 is a great saw. I've had mine for about 15 years and have never had any trouble with it. The lower guides are undersized and hard to adjust for this machine. I upgraded to Carter guides a couple of years ago, but kept the original roller wheel guides on the top because I think they're better than the upper Carter guide.
The saw is very smooth running and has more than enough power to resaw 10" hard maple.
do you mean 14in, you said 18in, the s45 is a 14in band saw. This one sounds about 3yrs old with little use. One of the original wheels was out of alignment but guy said mini max sent him a new one, worked great and never asked for old one back. So I'd have an extra wheel, though it would need to be aligned.
Hmm, interesting. The S45 I have is definitely an 18", similar to the MM16.
you're freakin' me out dave - no where have I seen the S45 listed as an 18in saw, I;m curious as th where you got this information?
FYI...via Google...
http://www.powertools.com/WdWkMac/Bandsaw/S45.asp?var1=S45
http://www.ovisonline.com/Woodworking_Machinery/Bandsaw/s-45_bandsaw_specs_.htm
http://www.cooperhorton.com/minimax/bandsaws.html
http://home.comcast.net/~jaswensen/machines/bandsaw/bandsaw.html
Also a good bet that the owner of the machine knows something about it...
Regards,Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
this tool is driving me nuts. It seems to have so many differing specs. One web page says its an 18in saw another 14in. one says resaw of 12in another 10in. I'm wondering if there are multiple lines of the s45?
Where did you see it listed as a 14" machine?
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
if you go to http://www.minimax-usa.com the s45n is a 2.5hp 14in bandsaw with 12 in resaw capability. I just don't understand where all the discrepencies in size and cutting capacity are coming from.
PS thanks again to all of you taking the time to discuss this with me. I wish I had half the skill and knowledge you guys possess.
"I just don't understand where all the discrepencies in size and cutting capacity are coming from."
OK -- I took the time to research this.
The Mini-Max web page is confusing -- I've looked at it before also. The sentence that makes it confusing is: "If you wanted a step above the standard 14”, this is the saw for you." I'm sure something gets lost in the translation from Italian, but the intent seems to be to say that a 14" machine is 'standard' for many people and the S45 is a step above that. It doesn't help that there is no specification sheet on the USA site.
Follow this link to the corporate site: http://www.scmgroup.com/ing/minimax/
On the SCM corporate page for Mini-Max, the cutting width for S45 is given as 440mm. Converting millimeters to inches yields about 17-3/8" (actually, 17.322834645669291338582677165354" for those desiring more accuracy). Cutting height is stated as 245mm (9-5/8"); (9.6456692913385826771653543307087").
All of the bandsaw specifications I've seen are a bit misleading, in that the actual cutting width is less than the implied width. For instance, my Grizzly G0513 is called a 17" bandsaw but the actual cutting width is specified as 16-1/4".
Regards,Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I went and looked at it today. It's an S45 with 220v wiring, motor is a 1.9hp, appears to be in pretty good shape. Fence may need some tweaking but overall looks solid. Ran fine, table was heavy cast iron (needs a little cleaning). He suggested $800. With the upper guide raised all the way up it appears to have a resaw height just about 10in (just as you said). Sounds like a fare deal, not a steal but saw appears to be a little more solid overall than an average 14incher. What you guys think?
Since you're the one who viewed the saw, you have to decide if it's what you want. All things considered, it's probably a good purchase.
In my case, I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Grizzly G0513. I got a new machine with one year warranty for the same money you will spend. I get 12" cutting height rather than <10". I've already cut some 11" and 12" mahogany. The G0513 has a blade tension release; I don't see any mention of it on the S45. My nieghbor spent $1200 on a Jet that doesn't have some of the features my Griz has; he's jealous.
Good luck!Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Mikemd,
....that is a steal..
This is really a post to everyone. For those who don't know, last month's issue of American Woodworker tested bandsaws up to $1,000, and this months's goes to $1,500.
Mike,
Here's a picture of my S45 bandsaw...
Mike, If your passion maintains, you will want to upgrade rather soon. My first bandsaw was/is a Delta 14". It took a bite out of the budget but I saved money in the long run not having to end up with two band saws, one of which is never used.
I don't follow, so you are or are not happy with the 14 inch delta? The one I'm interested in is a Mini MAx 14in (s45) probably 700-800 dollars. Too small? Just right? Bigger Lagunas and Minis are 2000+
mikemd ---
So how much are you planing to use your bandsaw? And how big of wood are you going to cut up?
There is no reason to buy a bigger or better mchine than you need.
For reference ...
I have a 14" 1.5hp Delta with 6" riser (a nice little toy)
I make 3 or 4 pieces of furniture a month. For each piece I usually resaw 8/4x12"x36" mahogany for a top and I saw out 4 curved legs from 10/4x10/4 stock. In addition I do all of my ripping on that saw.
I agree, bigger isn't better. I'm not a professional woodworker, I do it because I love it. If a 14in quality machine exceeds my project of the moment lifestyle then so be it. Sounds like most of you guys get by on fairly modest sized machines - no need to have the biggest product out there.
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