Replies

1. 
   Bear | Apr 03, 2005 12:40am | #1

   Chris, I also have a MM20. The solution to your problem is to remove the lower guide. Between the lower guide and the saw back is a large, thick black washer. Remove the washer, it serves no purpose, and you will gain enough clearence for your blades to run in the guides in the correct position.

   Bear

1. 
   chrisindiana | Apr 03, 2005 06:21am | #2

   Bear,

   The washer behind the bracket on my saw is only 1/16". I need at least 3/16" just to be able to safely use the 3/4" blade. To be able to use the 1/4" blade that came with the saw, the guide needs to move back at least 1/2". That is setting the 1/4" blade in the center of the wheel as the manual states. I am attaching 2 pictures of the guides. Thanks

    

   
1. 
   macalex | Apr 03, 2005 01:19pm | #3

   Go to the MiniMax discussion group at

   http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/MiniMax-USA/

   You'll get the definitive answer there, probably direct from Minimax USA

   MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking

1. 
   chrisindiana | Apr 03, 2005 04:25pm | #5

   Malcolm,

   I tried that. That group is moderated by Mini Max. They must approve all members & posts. It took several days for me to be approved as a member. I tried to post this question there early saturday. It must not have meet with there approval as it was never posted. Although there are several posts from people bashing Felder. Some were posted after I asked my question. I no longer see any value in that site & am no longer a member. 

1. 
   jc21 | Apr 03, 2005 05:14pm | #6

   Shame you gave up on the MM user's group. I joined last fall and think it's a good group. The procedures at sign up are meant to keep out spammers. No censoring that I'm aware of; if you go back through their archives you'll several posts and threads that hold MM's feet to the fire including one rant that's particularly hard on the machine I own, the S14. If you go to the file section of the group, there's an online bandsaw manual (.pdf format) that might be of help. I seriously doubt your question was censored.

   Edited 4/3/2005 10:22 am ET by jc

2. 
   billsams | Apr 03, 2005 02:12pm | #4

   In your second pic of the lower guides, something looks weird with the vertical adjusting bar that the guide housing is bumping against. Can that vertical bar be repositioned (reversed?) in some fashion to allow the clearance you need. I have an mm16 but have not run into this issue.
   Bill

3. 
   Bear | Apr 03, 2005 11:14pm | #8

   I know my washer was thicker, but they change things alot. The wheels on the MM 20 are not crowned like smaller bandsaw, so it does not matter if the blade runs in the middle or more towards the front. The larger blades run with the teeth off the wheel,as you know, because they have more set and will chew up your tires. Try running the blade more toward the front and see if you can get enough ajustment on the guides.Bear

1. 
   chrisindiana | Apr 04, 2005 07:58am | #9

   I got the problem taken care of. It is amazing what you can do with 2 hours, a hack saw & a file. The bottom guide now moves back as far as the upper.

2. 
   Lee5150 | Apr 03, 2005 05:39pm | #7

   The MM16/20 Manual has been a great help to me