Replies

1. 
   nicobie | Jan 23, 2006 10:09pm | #1

   I WOULD BUY THE MM 16. IN FACT, I DID.

    

1. 
   dannyboy | Jan 24, 2006 12:43am | #4

   THANKS FOR REPLY.MM16 FOR ME. DAN

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 24, 2006 03:23am | #7

   Jumping in here.  What is the resaw capacity of your MM, and how well does it resaw wide (or high) stock over 10" wide.  Thanks.

    

   Jeff

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 24, 2006 04:32pm | #8

   Hi Jeff,

   I am not poster nicobie, but I do own a first generation MM16, thought I would answer your question for you.

   The first generation MM16 would only resaw 13.25" and only had a 3.6hp motor. The second generation MM16's have a 16 inch resaw capacity and a 4.8hp motor. In a word these saws (as are the Laguna machines) are resawing fiends, I have resawn 12 inch wide walnut with no trouble.

   Best of luck 

   Edited 1/24/2006 8:33 am ET by BOBABEUI

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 24, 2006 06:28pm | #9

   I have a 36" Tannewitz now.  It's awesome, and a dream to use.  It also weights 3000 lbs., and takes up a huge amount of floor space in my shop.  I got a great deal on it, and bought it to handle my resawing needs, as my 18" Jet, which I still have, is what I call "resaw challenged".

   I've got a buyer for the Tannewitz at a nice profit, and am thinking about one of those MM's.  After a conversation with a Laguna rep at the local woodworking show last year, I wouldn't do business with them for 1/2 price.  What a jerk>  I felt like I was being sold a car or something.

   Can you get nice, straight parallel resaw cuts with the MM.  I frequently resaw 8/4 stock in half for bookmatching, and like to make my own wide veneer, as I have many slabs with great figure in the woodshed.

   I have done everything I can to the Jet to tune it up.  Still, the best I can do is cuts that are off by 1/8" from one end to another on wide stock.  For thinner stock, under 7"  it was fine.   It's a good bandsaw, just doesn't do "all" that I need it to.

   I'd like to replace both saws I have now with one, and am leaning toward the MM16.

   Thanks for jumping in here.

   Jeff

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 24, 2006 07:14pm | #10

   Jeff,

   Without sounding like a MM salesman, it's a great machine. Actually I think the Laguna is a fine machine too, it's a shame that the sales force was recruited from the local used car lot.

   My only issue with the MM16, is for smaller blades (like 3/16 and 1/4) the euro guides are a really fussy to setup.

   The MM16 can and will perform all tasks you asked without issue, one of the very few machine purchases that I would do again If had to.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 25, 2006 02:22am | #11

   Thanks,  now all I have to do is find a place where I can check them out.  I resaw with a 1/2" blade, but I also need to cut tight radius's.  I wonder if an upgraded set of guides would do the trick.  I'm looking for my "last" bandsaw, and don't mind spending a couple extra bucks (within reason) to get it right.

   Jeff

3. 
   pbcarch | Jan 25, 2006 09:02pm | #14

   Jeff,

   I own many MM machines in my shop, so I am a bit biased here. Back in 2001 I bought an Agazzani B-24 bandsaw over the Laguna (made by ACM) for various reasons. I just this past weekend sold my Agazzani in order to purchase the new MM24. I will be the first to say the MM saws are not the prettiest but than again "pretty' does not cut. I changed to a MM (made by Centauro for MM) because of the extra rigidity and shear mass these saws offer. I was able to measure the steel thickness on these saws and the MM is thicker every where. The cast iron table is also thicker and the guide post and tensioning mechanism is monstrous. This is not very surprising though because of how much they way and how smooth they are when running. When my MM24 shows up it will be 1000lbs+ The other saws are good but what IMHO what makes the MM better is the additonal mass and rigidity plus the great MM service I have recieved

4. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 25, 2006 11:29pm | #15

   Thanks for the info.  The old american cast iron saws like the one I just sold by Tannewitz are proof of what sheer mass can accomplish.  I hated selling it, but I'm trying to free up space in my shop, and it basically took up a 10' X 10' area, not including the space to run work through it.  It weighed about 3000 lbs.   I needed my Bobcat AND my neighbors front end loader to pick the damn thing 2 feet off the ground to put it on a trailer for the guy who bought it this morning. 

   Where do you get these MM saws, is it an internet purchase, or can they be touched and felt somewhere.  I'm not big on buying blind until I've dealt with a company in person before.  Old school, I guess.

   Thanks again.

   Jeff

5. 
   pbcarch | Jan 26, 2006 05:12am | #16

   Jeff,
   I sent you an email with a bit more info but MiniMax USA is in Austin, Texas. They are a direct sales company. Call them and they may have an owner in your area that would not mind if you went by to take a look. My Salesman was Sam Blasco a very knowledgable person, was a pro woodworker. The other option is to wait until they are at a show in your area. Good luck.
   Paul

6. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 26, 2006 09:56am | #17

   Thanks pb, I got your message.  I was afraid you'd say that they were direct.

   Jeff

7. 
   fingerlessHack | Jan 25, 2006 02:37am | #13

   I have owned a Laguna 18" (year 1999 model) and now own a MM16 (year 2005, newer model, resaw capacity of 16"). Both saws are good, but after experience with both, I prefer the MM 16"... not to mention its price is better.

   It was my impression, of the two machines, the MM16 main support column/spine is stronger... more rigid. I was not certain that when Laguna 16" and 18" resaw capacity was increased if support column was beefied up too. My suspicion was it was not.

   The one negative I have about the MM16 is when table is tilted, blade most be loosened and table insert must be cut to accomadate new position of tilted table. Laguna's pivots on axis with blade so blade does not need to be loosened nor does table insert need customizing. However, table tilting adjustment is easier with MM16 compared with Laguna 18" year 1999 model.

   Adjusting smaller blades (like 3/16 and 1/4) requires the same effort for either machine using the euro guides.

   I am curious to hear input on Laguna's new guide tracking system. It was not proven to me, because it was new. I do not always steer away from new thou, am seriously looking into Sawtop tablesaw due to its new technoloy.

2. 
   Knotscott | Jan 23, 2006 10:51pm | #2

   My only experience with those two machines is with the MM16....very, very impressive machine, and matched by their extraordinary customer service. The CS alone would be a strong selling point to me.

1. 
   dannyboy | Jan 24, 2006 12:44am | #5

   THANKS SCOTTY, GOING WITH THE MM16. DAN

3. 
   bwiele | Jan 23, 2006 11:45pm | #3

   I was looking at those 2 bandsaws (and also their combination machines) and I went to a show where I thought both companies would be displaying.  As it turns out, Laguna wasn't there but Mini Max was.  I'm sure I had just misunderstood about Laguna.  In any case, I was able to see and touch the Mini Max machines and coupled with their excellent customer service reputation (which I can absolutely confirm to be the case), I ordered the Mini Max.  I'm just getting started with them, but they are very impressive. 

   Additionally, Mini Max offers a weekend seminar a few times a year to help educate users on their combo machines and bandsaws packages.  I'm definitely going to the next one, I've heard they are really great.

1. 
   dannyboy | Jan 24, 2006 12:45am | #6

   THANKS FOR REPLY. 3 REPLIES ALL FOR MM16, I'M SOLD. DAN

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 25, 2006 02:25am | #12

   LAGUNA if you like to deal with JERKS!

   Mini Mak if you want answers! Just MY opinion!