This past week I got a copy of the FWW tool techniques, and on the first page was a advertisement for Mini Max. I am in the process of building a dedicated shop so getting newer tools is always on my mind. (Especially table saw and a larger bandsaw). I have read post on here praising euro style sliders so I gave Mini Max’s web site a quick peek. I liked what i saw and sent for more info on their products.
I have done this numerous times for dozens of different things and always forget about the products by the time the info gets to me. This time however ( to my surprise) there was a message on my answering machine the next day from Mini Max USA. TO make along story short I called them back inquiring about their machines and spent a little over an hour on the phone with the salesman not only talking about thier product but exchanging tips on this and that.
I must say I was impressed with them thoroughly.
Anyway I’m sure some of ya’ll in this forum probably own some sort of Mini Max product and I was wondering what your thoughts were on them.
I’m really interested in there CU300smart and the MM16.
Thanks,
John
Replies
Hi John,
They're high to middle end European Machines.
I'm a trade cabinetmaker and use a MiniMax LAB300 at home (hobbyist machine as opposed to the CU300 which is light use trade quality, a step up from mine) as well as a MiniMax saw at work
I've no issues at all with the machine - they're a well-built unit that I'd recommend in a heartbeat - they come with the standard European blade/riving knife setup that is a better deal than the US setup, in my opinion. As well, the fence is adjustable for depth. If you set the fence so that it ends in line with the teeth of the blade, and use the slider, the risk of kickback is virtually eliminated.
Just go for a minimum 5Hp on the saw - they scrimped and bought a cheapie for work, and speed of cut is slow. The saw at home is a lot harder to bog down than the one at work, and home runs a 3Hp motor ( I can't be bothered opening the cabinet of the saw at work, so I can't tell you how big the motor isn't.)
Cheers,
eddie
Edited 4/11/2005 1:16 am ET by eddie (aust)
Nice equipment, and if your really a Texas John from Texas, you have the advantage of their showroom being in Austin. An acquaintance of mine owns the CU300 smart and likes it a great deal. While it is not in-expensive equipment, it is the least expensive of the Euro-gender, but a very good tradeoff in quality versus cost. Eric who kinda runs the Austin showroom is a nice guy, look him up. Are you looking at the combination units or separates?
John
There's a users forum at the MiniMax USA web site. The guys there will always be happy to provide user details. I have a stand-alone slider (an SC2W saw) and an under and over jointer/thicknesser (FS300 Smart - in the new form factor) and can unreservedly recommend them both.
Do yourself a favour - if you can stretch to this grade of machinery, and everyone who uses a slider will never be happy with fixed-table saw - buy MiniMax (or Felder or any of the other mid to upper machines)
Malcolm
My best friend has an MM16. Not only is it a great BS, but his experiences with the company have been absolutely first class. They refused to make any derogatory remarks about their competition during the decision making process, they were extremely patient with his questions and not the least bit pushy, they've followed up periodically to see how he's making out, and any CS needs have been handled as quickly as possible.
dear tj,
MiniMax is a subsidiary of SCM(Italy) and there is a lot of overlap in the design of many machines. The parent SCM line is more industrial oriented, but the MiniMax doesn't seem to be inferior quality, just smaller machines.
I don't own the MM16 but I know it is an excellent saw. Don't think you can go wrong with it. Almost all the machinery in my shop is SCM but about a year ago bought the MiniMax sliding carriage shaper, which has turned out to be terrific. Good machines, reliable company.
DR
Hey John,
I have a MM CU300Smart, and an MM16, both are top notch machines in my experience. Even more impressive than their machines, is the level of customer service that MM provides. You just got a taste of that when they called you. As an example, I bought my machines over a year ago, and my sales rep. Michael Kahn, called me a week ago just to make sure everything was running well, and that I had no problems.
Now, this guy knows that I've spent all the money I have, and I'm not buying anything more than the occasional tersa blade for a long, long time to come, and yet their level of commitment to customer service is such that they feel responsible for service after the sale. Uncommon today, but not at MiniMax. And it appears that they offer the same level of service for all their machines, not just the most expensive ones.
My 2¢
Tom
"And it appears that they offer the same level of service for all their machines, not just the most expensive ones." Ditto. Bought their least expensive bandsaw last year ............ had many many questions and was treated if I was buying a whole shop full of machines. No BS and no unrealistic expections. Contacted after the sale to see how things were going. They're good folks to deal with.
I have had the FS30 Smart for a year now. My experience with the machine and the customer service echoes earlier statements. You can not go wrong with this company.
Todd
I have the MM20 bandsaw and the MM T124 copy lathe. Both machines are outstanding. I bought the two machines at once, and they are always willing to make package deals and throw in some extras, if you can catch them at a show there will also be show specials. The two machines where a lot of money, but not compared to what people are spending on combo machines and they still never stop with the customer service. You will be hard pressed to ever hear a MM owner complain about their equipment or service.
Bear
mini max are very nice machines but if you are going to spend that much money you owe it to yourself to look at the austrian made felder line. I dont think many will disagree that they are superior and you will allready be with in a thousand or so of the price of the felder.
I have their jointer planer 16" and noticed some definate advantages over the MM.
On the saws, I think the difference is even more obvious. I plan to purchase one when i move to a bigger shop.
j
How long has Laguna been around -- 20-25 years?It sounds to me as though MiniMax USA has figured out a way to beat the bejesus out of Laguna in the marketplace. I have no idea how the machines stack up against one another, but the customer service at Laguna has, IMHO, always been abominable. I bought one of their big bandsaws maybe 7-8 years ago. They were nice enough through the sales process (naturally), but as soon as I passed from potential customer to user, customer service took a nose dive. Words like arrogant, snotty, supercilious come to mind. This was even a problem with the personnel (except for the owner, Torben) I tried to get some answers from at WWing shows. With any of these imports, decent customer service is vital. The manuals are usually inadequate, and there is no local service center to help you diagnose problems. But with these characters, I sometimes felt as though I would rather have a root canal than call their customer service people. Anyway, I'm glad to see Minimax is taking a very different route. I wish they had been the presence that they are today when I bought my bandsaw."I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
-- Bertrand Russell
Turnstyler,
I have looked at the Felder web site and they do have nice machines, but like I said I am thoroughly impressed with the Mini Max USA team.
I know these types of machines are geared more toward professional shop, but I think it would make a great article in FWW. I may be kinda bias (since the purchase of one of these types of machines is inevitable) but it would be nice to see some of them put up against each other in an unbiased comparison.
If there has been an issue related to this topic I would like to know the issue #.
To everyone else thanks for the feedback on Mini Max and keep them coming. I recieved an e-mail from the salesman I talked to last week and my info is in the mail.
He also sent me some good pics of the machines I am interested in. I am probably going to Get the Cu300smart and the MM16 they are having a great deal on them right now. I need the band saw more important right now, but the package deal is hard to pass up.
Again Thanks,
John
Hey John,FWW did a review of European combination machines quite awhile back. I don't have the issue #, but MiniMax has a .pdf copy available on their website (look in the lower right of the main page). http://www.minimax-usa.comObviously MM fared well in the review.Tom
Just put your hands on the felder once, you will change your mind..
Yeah Felder's are nice, but they come at a premium. I bought the CU300 Smart 8' Slider and MM16. Very nice machines.
BTW, try and put a full 12" blade and use the scorer on your Felder :). rib ribTom
Are Felders really that much better?
I'm trying to make the decision between MM and the Felder 500 series.
I've looked at both the MM and the Fleders Combo machines. At first glance they look the same, and you'll say the MM is 5,000 cheaper and comes with some extras like a horiaontal slot mortiser. But the Felder has a 16 inch Jointer and a 16 inch Thicknesser. All have digital settings and read outs. The MM had 12 inch jointers and thicknessers, no digital read outs. I know that if you are looking to buy a 16 inch jointer over a 12 jointer there is a hugh price difference. I think the 5,000 difference is well worth it in the long run.Kaleo http://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com
Would you say the quality is comparable?
I've used both the MM and the Felder. I'd be happy, really happy, to have either. For the money the MM is very nice, that said you do get what you pay for with the Felder. Is it worth that much extra money?? Only you can decide. I would say that going with either one is like moving up from a Craftsman 10 inch table saw to a Unisaw or to a Powermatic 66. They are both terrific and both are a pleasure to use, for me.
Having only used MM tools out of the two, I can't really say. But from What I have read and people that I have talk to Felder is suppose to be the "BEE'S Knees" of tools.Kaleohttp://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com
> I know these types of machines are geared more toward professional shop, but I think it would make a great article in FWW <
Actually, what would be really interesting (are you listening, FWW) would be a comparison of a low end/entry level machine and a mid-range to high-end machine.
When you've used a Ryobi POS and migrate up to say a Mini Max, the difference just blows you away!
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking
Hi TexasJohn -
I purchased two different machines from Dain at Minimax. After the sale, Dain not only followed up with me multiple times to make sure I was happy, but suggested meeting up at the next woodworking show in my area. I met Dain at the Baltimore show, where he also introduced me to the owner of the company.
I ended up having dinner with the two of them and was extremely impressed with not only their knowledge and ability to hold a civil conversation, but their table manners weren't too awful bad either!! Just kidding of course, but MMUSA is a good group of folks that are as interested in quality machines and customer service as you and I are.
As for my opinion of their machines, I HIGHLY recommend them. Their machines are the best thing going in my shop. In fact, I liked them enough to recommend them to my father. If you value family relationships as much as I do, that should tell you something!
Great machines, even better service.
All the best,
M
Hi John
I have the MM16. Really nice piece of equipment and the folks at Minimax are great to work with. You'll never reqret getting a Minimax.
Ken
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