Thread: MiniMax c30 genius

I can't comment on the specific machine but in general Minimax quality is up there with Hammer. I have heard some disturbing reports of MM after sales service problems and there is a thread around here somewhere asking a similar question to yours recently. I have a MM band saw that has been very good and two Hammer machines as well, both equally good. I think you could do a bit of horse trading with both suppliers if they thought there was a bit of competition in the deal.

Thanks Chris, the problem is there are no Felder showrooms here in Adelaide. However scm has a showroom here locally. I have looked at it and looks quiet good given I spend a few more $$ on upgrade. But my experience with quality machines are very limited. And honestly I'm sick of spending on sub par machines and ending up throwing it away. I want this to be my last major investment in table saw and planer.

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Originally Posted by scrap_wood

And honestly I'm sick of spending on sub par machines and ending up throwing it away. I want this to be my last major investment in table saw and planer.

There's really nothing else on the market that offers the combination of quality and capability for the money as the C26/C30. Hammer have nothing directly comparable, the C3-31 is up against the bigger Minimax CU300. If it's what your budget can afford you won't regret it. Always buy the best you can afford.

In that case you would have to have a hard look at the MM. Ask them if they have a customer in Adelaide who has one or a similar machine and if they would be prepare to show theirs and have a chat at the same time. I did that with Felder because they did not have a Hammer machine to demo and I sure as hell wasn't going to buy one without seeing a demo. There was another thread here recently possibly in the dust extraction forum concerning the problems his machine had with DE but all sliders seem to have at least a bit of an issue.

Chris, as new machines have to comply with current ECE laws, they don’t have the dust collection issues of the older machines. It’s one of the reasons to consider European machines like these, Robland or Felder/Hammer. The current model CU300 easily passes the required dust levels, SCM give test results up to 20 times better than the statutory limit. I don’t think you can judge the new ones by machines built 10-12 years ago. The saw group on the C30 puts a 120mm duct right where it should be.

Originally Posted by richmond68

Chris, as new machines have to comply with current ECE laws, they don’t have the dust collection issues of the older machines. It’s one of the reasons to consider European machines like these, Robland or Felder/Hammer. The current model CU300 easily passes the required dust levels, SCM give test results up to 20 times better than the statutory limit. I don’t think you can judge the new ones by machines built 10-12 years ago. The saw group on the C30 puts a 120mm duct right where it should be.

So do Hammer put a 125mm port where it should be. Hammer then on the inlet side have a 90mm flex (approximately as I haven't measured it) leading from the under blade shroud to the port. The shroud has nowhere near the inlet area it need which also helps restrict the whole thing. The port is not the problem at all it is what it hooks up that is questionable.

From memory, the Genius is similar to the Lab 300 shroud:
image.jpeg
That is 120mm Flexi on the shroud. Access for blade changes is more difficult on the Genius iirc.

since Gabbett became SCM Group in 2016, the range of available machines has expanded to cover basically everything SCM make. This means the Lab 300 is also an option, but I don't know how it fits price wise between the C30 and CU300. It's more of an all rounder having a 12" main blade and a scriber, and 1.6m stroke on the slider and 3hp motors for single phase on all functions. Otherwise it has similar capabilities to the C30 for spindle moulder and planer/thicknesser. If I were looking for a "last table saw I'll ever buy" purchase, I'd be inclined to hold off until I could afford to step up to this. But that depends on price.

I Have been using MiniMax panel saws for the last 10 years and have been very happy with the quality and accuracy. My fist unit was the CU300 classic which is a combo machine but I mainly used the panel saw,jointer and spindle moulder functions. Two years back on downsizing to a new smaller 7.2x6m workshop I bought a MiniMax SC-2 panel saw that I use daily for both panel work and slab work. I quite often rip down 50-70mm thick slabs and the machine has ample power to handle that. Again no issues and very good accuracy and it does not take up a lot of floor space. If space is and issue it is easy to detach the squaring frame when not in use and then reattach when needed . I have been able to do this often without the need to adjust the settings. With the slider the workpiece is clamped to the squaring frame and passed by the blade whilst you are at the side well away from the blade. I find using a slider is the best and safest and now find it very difficult using a table saw.
Cheers,
Paintman

I was interested in a Minimax C30 G as well. Did you get any further with your purchase ?

I have a CU300. i did look at the Genius line but I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on a demo CU300 with four foot slider.

If you are new to this and you mainly work in solid wood, it will be quite some time before you outgrow this machine.

I had some teething problems at the beginning but Gabbetts were extremely helpful in getting over these issues.

Originally Posted by markharrison

I have a CU300. i did look at the Genius line but I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on a demo CU300 with four foot slider.

If you are new to this and you mainly work in solid wood, it will be quite some time before you outgrow this machine.

I had some teething problems at the beginning but Gabbetts were extremely helpful in getting over these issues.

Thanks for the reply. CU300 is a bit beyond my budget and I suspect way beyond my workshop space.

I am considering a new workshop currently but it would only be 5x4 meters internally.

I work in a 1.8 car garage, that still has one car in it most of the time

I have the CU300 on a pallet jack (hot tip, don't buy the Minimax wheel kits, they're junk) and move stuff around as I need to.

Originally Posted by markharrison

I work in a 1.8 car garage, that still has one car in it most of the time

I have the CU300 on a pallet jack (hot tip, don't buy the Minimax wheel kits, they're junk) and move stuff around as I need to.

Old thread I know, but if you’re still out there, could you post some pics of pallet jack setup? Has it worked well?
Mat

Originally Posted by scrap_wood

Thanks Chris, the problem is there are no Felder showrooms here in Adelaide. However scm has a showroom here locally. I have looked at it and looks quiet good given I spend a few more $$ on upgrade. But my experience with quality machines are very limited. And honestly I'm sick of spending on sub par machines and ending up throwing it away. I want this to be my last major investment in table saw and planer.

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Contact Dave Eckert at Henry Eckert Toolworks – Fine Woodwork Tools & Studio

Regards from Perth

Derek