Thread: SCM panel saws?

Hi,

I have an older SCM (Minimax) saw. Right now it's giving me grief, and I;m giving far too much money to Gabbetts to get it into as new condition.

Anyhoo, check out the minimax user group over on Yahoo. Ask your questions there.

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

Cheers

Hi monoman

How would you describe your experience with Gabbetts? I guess if i buy one of their machines i would like to know what they are like to deal with once i have parted with my hard earned.

Hi,

Sometimes I feel like a leper when I talk with them. Maybe it's because I have a older machine. Jason is spare parts has been very patient and helpful, so have the guys in the Brisvegas office.

It's strange, but I expect that when I talk to someone like Gabbetts that the staff (at least the sales and technical staff) actually know more about their product than I do. Now days it's becoming less common.

BTW. I've checked out the saw you are thinking of. Wow. I sure looks nice. Have you see the YouTube video on it? [ame="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1466308798732841639"]SCM SI 400EX Sliding Table Saw From Hermance Machine Company[/ame]

How much is something like that worth?

Cheers

Haven't got a price but i feel right now that list price doesnt really mean all that much. I was told that if i bought from Gabbetts rather than an altendorf or felder that i would get very good customer service. You say they have been helpful but still sound unsatisfied. I guess its like most other industries in that once you have parted with your money they do call you every other day to see how things are going. Not that i want someone calling every other day but when you have a problem i think they should make sure you are a happy customer. Unless your problem is one that cant be fixed. Just because its an old machine doesn't mean they shouldn't take care of you as a valued customer because who knows if or when you might upgrade.

Thanks for the video tip

Altendorf F92T
Table saw 3 Phase
Cut 3150 Long
Serviced not long ago
Extra table not included
Cut off bin not included
Duel Bag Dust extractor included
Through cut 1270 to overhead arm
All calibrated and very accurate
Spare blades included
Spare scribe blades included
Angle arm ancillary included
Excellent Condition
$12000 ono

Originally Posted by HTM

Haven't got a price but i feel right now that list price doesnt really mean all that much.

Maybe yes, maybe no. Carbatec's response to the dropping dollar and the global recession was to dramatically raise prices, and as I've heard on this forum, are not that interested in discounting.

Originally Posted by HTM

I was told that if i bought from Gabbetts rather than an altendorf or felder that i would get very good customer service. You say they have been helpful but still sound unsatisfied.

I Just because its an old machine doesn't mean they shouldn't take care of you as a valued customer because who knows if or when you might upgrade.

Okay, they have been very helpful - up to a point. I have an older machine, mid 90's that I bought second hand privately. So I don't expect them to fawn over me since I didn't spend mega bucks on a new machine. There's an idea. Ask them how much fawning over you will get after you have bought the machine.

Spares - which are only in Sydney and will probably suit you, have been very helpful.
The Brisbane office was very helpful with providing me with some history on the saw because they sold it new and had serviced it since. They also helped with info on stripping the saw down and palleting it for transport to Melbourne. There was absolutely nothing in it for them other that good customer relations.

Right now I'm trying to resolve a problem with the support arm on the sliding table - see my post at https://www.woodworkforums.com/f153/sliding-table-swing-arm-support-woes-help-96821 . The sales and technical staff I have spoken with have not been helpful at all. Given the same mechanism is used on some of the small current machines I was somewhat perplexed as to why they had next to no idea what I was talking about.

All in all, pretty typical experience. It is becoming rare to find really good customer service. If you ever spent any time in the US, you'll know what real customer service is. Maybe it's just not in our nature.

Cheers

BTW. Call the Brisbane office and ask about any woodworking show special for this weekend. Also, the Sydney show is next month.