Replies

1. 
   Andrew | May 16, 2003 05:29am | #1

   I've worked in a shop that had a general 15" saw. It was a very nice machine and has held up to a lot of abuse, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The 690 has 12" of resaw, right? I used the 490 which is the same saw with less resaw height. The only complaint I have about the general is that the table is a little small for resawing a big log, but for the majority of cutting it should be fine. Overall it looks like a great saw that will last a lifetime. The thing I have noticed about the General line of tools (made in Canada) is that every single one of their models are extremely well made. If they had a 690 when I was looking for a bandsaw it would probably be in my shop right now.

   Now as for general international, they just aren't in the same league as the canadian made machines. I had a good look at the general international lineup at a recent woodshow, and I wasn't impressed. The quality just didn't seem to be there. Things didn't slide very smoothly and it felt cheap overall. For those that don't expect much from your tools then this saw would be fine. Or if you want to put some work into fine tuning, smoothing out rough edges and modifying things it could be made into a fairly decent saw.

   hope this helps

   andrew

1. 
   Adze | May 17, 2003 12:54am | #6

   Thank you all for your generous advice -- this forum is perfect.

   My budget is in Canadian dollars (don't knock it, the Loonie is screaming as we speak).  All the Euro machine mentioned come in well in excess of C$2k after FX, shipping and Canadian taxes, so I have put them aside for the moment at least.

   Andrew, based on your experience, will the General 15" do a good job on a large resaw (+10")?   My concern is that it can only take a 3/4" blade and has 1.5 hps, whereas the other machines mentioned in the thread, and the General 17, will all take a 1" blade.  Is the frame stiff enough?

1. 
   Hempstalk | May 17, 2003 01:11am | #7

   Adze,

       My brother and another worker of mine just purchased the General 15".  Very nice saw.  Fit and finish is excellent.  The thing about General machinery is they do what the were designed to do and do it well.  If the machine can resaw 12" it will.  I am a little bias though since almost all of my machinery is General.  I have the 20" General saw and use it about 90 percent of the time for resawing.  I use a 3/4" blade most of the time and resaw up to 14" with no problems at all.  I think you will be very happy with this saw.

2. 
   ownersrep | May 16, 2003 04:57pm | #2

   You might want to look at minimax the mm16 meets all your criteria and I haven't heard a bad comment on the machine.  It's on my list for this summer.

   Just my 2 cents,

   Jim

1. 
   JohnCabot | May 17, 2003 06:17am | #9

   I have a Minimax 16, purchased 6 months ago. It is built like a tank and I am sure will outlast me by decades.

   It works beautifully, I could not be any happier with this tool.

   John Cabot

1. 
   ownersrep | May 19, 2003 04:36am | #10

   John,

   Thank You.

   Jim

3. 
   AlanTurner | May 16, 2003 05:57pm | #3

   You might want to take a look at the Agazzani 20", which is right around your budget.  Mine carries a 1" carbide resaw blade.  I think you will find that the steel frame saws have a lower table height, which is nice for resawing.  Easier to handle heavier stock.  I think the 16" machines will handle only a 3/4" carbide blade, and the 1" blade is great.  Teh steel machines have less deflection than the cast.  This is not to knock General, however, as its reputation is beyond reproach.

1. 
   nicobie | May 16, 2003 07:34pm | #5

   Minimax also has machines larger than the 16" in your price range.

   I own a MM 16 and really like it. I feel you get more for your money with the Minimax models.

   However, you really can't go wrong with either Aggazzini or Minimax.The proof is in the puddin'

4. 
   JeffKurtz | May 16, 2003 07:28pm | #4

   Good advice given on the General vs. General International.  The latter are made to compete with the less expensive imports and really can't compare to General.

   From what I've heard, the Agazzani and Mini Max are good machines, although a friend of mine claims he's had the techs look at his Mini Max more than once.  No matter what they try, it just won't track a 1/8" or 1/4" blade.  My only reservation about these is the availability of support.  No local dealer, and you're on your own.

   Jeff

5. 
   JeffKurtz | May 17, 2003 03:58am | #8

   Have you been following the thread on bandsaws in the "general discussion" area.  Very good review/comparisson of Laguna and Mini Max there.  http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-knots&msg=12170.1

   Jeff