Thread: Minimax 300's

Hi Brenton,

I've checked out the specs on www.minimax-usa.com, the only diffence I can see is the slider , the smart has an 8.5ft slider which is great to have if you have the room and use sheetgoods.

The other things you should check is whether the morticer and wheel kit come standard with the smart/classic or if they are options.

In the states the wheel kit and the morticer come standard with the smart. This would help explain the additional cost of the smart over the classic.

Hope this helps , let me know if you have any questions.

Joe

Brenton,
can't help you with those particular machines as I'm not in the market for a combination machine. I am however looking at buying a panel saw and looked at quite a few yesterday, including two from minimax. There's lots of little things that add up to a lower specced and priced machine and you need to work out which ones you're prepared to live with. On the base model minimax the scriber blade is driven off the main motor with a belt, which I can live with, but it's adjusted via screws accessed through holes in the table top which I can't live with (unlike the next model up which has seperate handwheels, and repeatable settings). I would really reccomend that besides checking out all the specs on the web (www.minimax.sm and www.scmgroup.com) you go and look at the machines and have a play with the adjustments etc. This will probably answer a few questions and throw up a lot more that you can throw at the salesman. Also with euro combo jointer thicknerssers check out the blades. Some of them have throw away indexed knives. these are cost effective in a commercial set up but can be rather expensive for the hobbyist. Hope this is a little help.

Mick

Brenton

Visit Gabbett's at Regency Park if you haven't already done so. They are attending the Working with Wood show, but I'd recommend you visit the sales room to get a one-on-one with them rather than fight the crowds for attention.

I visited them last week and the rep (Darryl?) was very helpful. He knew his machines and was prepared to discuss the various differences between each model. He also said that they run group demonstrations throughout the year, which I hope to attend at least once before I make my purchase in about 12 months.

Echoing what Mick said, you need to think carefully about what you are prepared to go without. The various MM models have a wide range of optional/standard fittings and the price increments between models can be in the $'000s.

I have a Minimax ST4 elite which is not normally brought into Australia. Its a panel saw, spindle moulder combo. To be honest, I couldn't imagine spending that sort of money without the ability to slice up 1200 x 2400 sheets. Youre bound to work with sheet material and I use the full capacity of the slider all the time. I even had the standard 2.4m table upgraded to the 2.8m table just to make it easier and safer as the board finishes past the blade.

Also have a look at the Hammer machines, theyre pretty good value as well and their new colours are looking good. The other one that looks like really good value and well rated is the czech made machines Holz Profi. If you have the space I would seriously consider seperating the jointer/thickesser and panel saw/spindle moulder and buying seperate combo machines.

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

I am however looking at buying a panel saw and looked at quite a few yesterday, including two from minimax.

Mick

I thought your budget meant you could only buy an Altendorf.....how dare you consider anything else..

Seriously though Mick, I've attended a few auctions lately and there seem to be more and more, but the panel saws have only been going for $4,000 or less. From what I saw they were good machines.

I saw a pretty badly treated Robland Z320 go for $2500. But nothing a little attention would not have fixed.

Every time I see them go I wonder why I didn't buy second hand. At least I did with the edgebander which is some consolation I guess.

Boban,
much as I'd like to pick up a decent 2nd hand machine they rarely, if ever come up for auction in Cairns. It's just not worth the time, hassle and expense of flying down to attend an auction in the hope of being the winning bidder on a machine. I have spent a bit of time while i've been on the Gold Coast looking at machines in Brisbane to get a feel of what's available and what I might buy when the time comes. I have gotten pretty fortunate and picked up a 2nd hand Casadei V 15-10 edgebander for $5K Who knows, by the time I'm ready (read cashed up) to buy a full size saw, I may be on holidays again and find one at auction or 2nd hand .

Mick

After viewing both machines, it appears the only differences are the lenght of carrige way stroke and the extra fence for the buzzer. Aside from this, it appears the machine has been aimed at the market between the lab & smart.

Mick,

I saw the Casadei and missed out on one. I figured you would spend about that much for a decent machine.

It must be a relief when you face a crapload of edging.

Sometimes I forget that not everyone lives in Sydney, lucky for them I guess.

Boban,
a few questions about the ST4 Elite as in all probability the only way I'll end up with a tilting arbour spindle moulder with a tennoning table is to buy it as part of a combo.
1 Tilt arbour?
2 multiple speeds, how many and RPMs?
3 optional high speed spindle for router bits?
4 Tilts backwards or forwards?
5 scriber on saw?
6 with seperate motor or driven off main?
7 conical blade or pair of blades with shims?
8 adjusted through holes in table top or by hand wheels from operator's position?
9 do you lose your settings if you drop the scriber down?
10 Hp of motors?
11 max size of main blade?
12 magnified cursors on flipstops and ripfence?
and most importantly, are you happy with it?

sorry for all the questions, but your saw cambo is one of the options I'm looking at.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Boban,
a few questions about the ST4 Elite as in all probability the only way I'll end up with a tilting arbour spindle moulder with a tennoning table is to buy it as part of a combo.
1 Tilt arbour?
2 multiple speeds, how many and RPMs?
3 optional high speed spindle for router bits?
4 Tilts backwards or forwards?
5 scriber on saw?
6 with seperate motor or driven off main?
7 conical blade or pair of blades with shims?
8 adjusted through holes in table top or by hand wheels from operator's position?
9 do you lose your settings if you drop the scriber down?
10 Hp of motors?
11 max size of main blade?
12 magnified cursors on flipstops and ripfence?
and most importantly, are you happy with it?

sorry for all the questions, but your saw cambo is one of the options I'm looking at.

Mick

Mick ya bastard, I had to go and get the manual and do some reading. I also got this link for you http://www.scmgroup.com/private/bin/...ubcategoria=18

I went the combo for the same reason. OK from the top

1. Arbour on main saw is 30mm. On the spindle you have options, 30, 35,40,50mm.
2. Four speeds, 1400, 3500, 6000 and 8000 at 50Hz higher for 60Hz
3. No router bits but I mounted my Makita 3612 in the outfeed table and used the table to dado for shelving. Works a treat.
4. Only tilts forwards. I think the Hammer and Felder do it both ways.
5,6 and 7 Scriber off main motor with a conical blade. The blade I will be changing for one with shims.
8. Through the top with an allen key but I always leave it up
9. Yes but no if you get a blade with shims. Conical blades are cheaper and thats what they are shipped with.
10. Hp varies. Single phase 2.5Hp, Three phase 4 - 5.5Hp.
11. Blade size 315mm max, 250mm
12. The fences are fantastic Mick, but they are not magnified.

Overall, I am happy. It is well built and a nice machine to use. My criticisms (which can be rectified):

1. I dont like the top extraction hood. I will be building my own to take a 4in pipe on top. The 2in hole is too small to pick up all the dust. This seems to be common to saws in this price range.

2. The conical scriber blade.

3. No electronic panel to set the fence or Altendorf badge

Generally the scriber blade adjustment does not concern me as I leave it up. Out of interest why do you want to put it down regularly. It works on solid timber just as well so I not sure why except to keep it sharp for a longer period of time.

On the research side of things, it was either the Minimax or Hammer. At the time, Hammer weren't set up in Sydney. Gabbetts was so I figured service in the future was important. They have been good to me, even when I moved they went out of their way to help.

Mick if you can wait until AWISA which is next year. A bit like the WWW show on steroids.

Boban,
thanks for answering all my questions. It sounds like it's the base models saw with a spindle attchment. I like to drop the scriber to keep it sharp longer, but also when driven off the main motor it robs at least 1/2 a Hp when you're ripping. You need all the power you can when ripping 80mm or more deep in hardwood. Bit dissapointing about the tilt of the spindle. I had hoped to look at Felder/Hammer stuff while I was on the coast (the distributor is in the hinterland about 1/2 hr away) and had planned to go today. Unfortunately they had a decent bit of rain today (the sort of showers we get at home during the wet season) and the undersized drainage system they have hereabouts couldn't cope. I might get a chance tommorrow, going home on Sunday.

Mick

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Joe, Mick & Boban - for the websites, other 'brands' and comments.

Andrew - the group "demo's" sounds very interesting and something I would like to do - I will visit Gabbets, probably after the WWW Show in late July and have a chat to 'Rep Daryl'.

The cost of the these combo machines are very imposing and I find it hard to justify to myself, let alone anyone else, but I think I would rather wait another 12 months and save, than buy cheaper but (adequate) machinery - then say in a couple of years - I wished I had bought better quality, but then again?

Then there is the vexed question of - 'stand alone' verses 'combination' etc - just another bloody headache, as I change my opinion after every log-in to this forum.

I do appreciate all your opinions and sage advice.

Regards Brenton .

I forgot to thank Wally Woodman - how useful would an extra fence be?

Regards
Brenton

Originally Posted by bjn

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Joe, Mick & Boban - for the websites, other 'brands' and comments.

Andrew - the group "demo's" sounds very interesting and something I would like to do - I will visit Gabbets, probably after the WWW Show in late July and have a chat to 'Rep Daryl'.

The cost of the these combo machines are very imposing and I find it hard to justify to myself, let alone anyone else, but I think I would rather wait another 12 months and save, than buy cheaper but (adequate) machinery - then say in a couple of years - I wished I had bought better quality, but then again?

Then there is the vexed question of - 'stand alone' verses 'combination' etc - just another bloody headache, as I change my opinion after every log-in to this forum.

I do appreciate all your opinions and sage advice.

Regards Brenton .

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Joe, Mick & Boban - for the websites, other 'brands' and comments.

Andrew - the group "demo's" sounds very interesting and something I would like to do - I will visit Gabbets, probably after the WWW Show in late July and have a chat to 'Rep Daryl'.

The cost of the these combo machines are very imposing and I find it hard to justify to myself, let alone anyone else, but I think I would rather wait another 12 months and save, than buy cheaper but (adequate) machinery - then say in a couple of years - I wished I had bought better quality, but then again?

Then there is the vexed question of - 'stand alone' verses 'combination' etc - just another bloody headache, as I change my opinion after every log-in to this forum.

I do appreciate all your opinions and sage advice.

Regards Brenton .