Replies

1. 
   Pierre42g | Jan 20, 2003 03:17am | #1

   You should go with the Agazzani B-24 if you can afford this, however, you can check this Agazzani 18" article, maybe it will help you in your choice:

   http://www.wwforum.com/faqs_articles/agazzani18.html

   Peter

1. 
   Andesign | Jan 20, 2003 04:08am | #2

   Thanks Peter for the suggestion.  Do you know who sells Agazzani?  I can't recall seeing them advertised anywhere.

   Rick

1. 
   Pierre42g | Jan 20, 2003 05:07am | #3

   http://www.eagle-tools.com

   Good luck Rick!

   Peter

2. 
   nicobie | Jan 20, 2003 09:11pm | #4

   Be sure to check out Minimax too.

   Right now they seem to be the saw to beat.  Excellent quality and probably the best price.

   The proof is in the puddin'

3. 
   john_lab | Jan 21, 2003 02:45am | #5

   Hi Rick,

   I purchused a Mini-Max 20 a few months back and have been very happy with both the saw and the company.  I've had no problems with the saw to report and have been pleasantly surprised with it's ability to handle a 1/4" blade when cutting small radius curves.  My particular choice was driven by the MM resaw capacity (most in it's class) and the manufacturers' reputation.  Jet has a good rep as a machine though I've heard some questionable things about their 18" saw.  I also thought about keeping a machine for a long time and the MM is built like a tank.  If you can, go to a woodworking show to see some of the machines side by side..well, sort of.  I went to an industrialo WW show and was able to see 9 different saws in one place.  That show made my decision easier!  FYI, the others were; Delta, Jet, General International, Powermatic, Sunhill, (all from Taiwan) Agazzanni, Felder, MiniMax, Centauro,(from Italy).  Good luck

1. 
   nicobie | Jan 21, 2003 03:32am | #6

   I was wondering if Centauro/Italy was making Minimax?

   Top of the line stuff.The proof is in the puddin'

1. 
   john_lab | Jan 21, 2003 04:47pm | #7

   I had heard that Centauro made MiniMax bandsaws.  BTW, Agazzanni makes saws for Adwood, Eagle, and a German company called Panhans.  Also the Italian company ACM makes saws for Felder, Bridgewood, Tanniwitz, and I think Laguna as well.  Pretty interesting considering they're all competitors.  THe same type of thing probably exists with the Taiwanese saws.

2. 
   Andesign | Jan 22, 2003 03:19am | #11

   I called Mini-Max after your post yesterday and the person I spoke to confirmed that their saws are made by Centauro in Italy.  Meanwhile I'm waiting for their info to arrive.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anywhere near here (Washington) that one can look at the Mini-Max line.  But from what I have seen on their web site as well as my discussion with them, their saws definitely need to be on my "list".

   Rick

2. 
   b1gcountry | Jan 22, 2003 12:33am | #10

   How much did you pay for your 20". I am currently buying a house to hold one of these, and wanna know how long it'll take to scrimp up the money.

   Tom

1. 
   john_lab | Jan 22, 2003 01:26pm | #12

   I was able to get a "show price" of $2250 (or so).  I picked the saw up at a show in Philadelphia so I saved even more on shipping. 

   Buying a house for the saw?  I refinanced mine for pretty much the same purpose (don't tell my wife!!).  If only I could've snuck in that Felder combo machine...(though the MiniMax looked nice)...and a Oneway lathe...and a few more Lie-Neilsens..etc ;)

1. 
   b1gcountry | Jan 22, 2003 06:03pm | #14

   DROOL!

3. 
   JohnCabot | Jan 22, 2003 02:29pm | #13

   I have recently purchased a MiniMax and I could not be any happier with its performance. It's built by Centauro "like a tank" and should last for two generations, at least. The only regret?: I should have bought it decades ago. At my age (66) I will only use a fraction of its (band saw) life expectancy.

   John Cabot 

4. 
   johnhardy | Jan 21, 2003 10:32pm | #8

   A absolutely love my Laguna 18 inch saw. As far as I'm concerned it's world class.

   John

5. 
   BobbyD10 | Jan 21, 2003 10:54pm | #9

   I recently bought a new bandsaw which I use for resawing;  however, the use is not as important here as the quality and price of the machine.  Jet now owns Powermatic and one of the largest distribution centers is here in Smyrna, TN.  As I understand, Jet has a distribution center in Washington (west coast) and also here in Tennessee.  Due to shipping rates a lot of machinery goes through the Tennessee warehouse.  You might consider, if you are serious about a Jet machine, calling General Industrial Supply in Nashville (1136 Lebanon Road, 37210) at 615 256-2220 and talk with Rick Warren.  They deal with new machinery but are also the "scratch & dent" distributors for Jet and Powermatic.  I bought a 24" Powermatic for about $2650 and it looks and works like new.  I was just in the warehouse last week and noted that they have a large supply of the Jet machines in addition to the Powermatic.

6. 
   user-170380 | Jan 23, 2003 11:13pm | #15

   I just placed an order on the MiniMax MM16 three weeks ago after being in the market for a bandsaw for more than 6 months. The gentldman I spoke to (Erik Delaney 1-866-975-9663) is very helpful and answered all my questions I had. I have seen the saw in person and compared to Laguna 16" (HD). There are so many people want this saw that it is backordered to late February or early March. Aggazzani is nice, but a bit too much ($300-400 more) for me.