Replies

1. 
   blindau | Feb 24, 2003 03:51pm | #1

   Both my jointer and planer are MiniMax and are excellent machines. When you say MiniMax is a lower end machine, I take it you mean relative to SCMI, and even in that case I don't think they lower quality, just smaller than the SCMI line. For instance, SCMI doesn't make a machine with a single phase motor. The big question is how ocassionaly was the machine used for 12 years. When you are checking it out, feed some hard maple and see if can do what you need it to do. The condition of the slider will tell a lot. How much slop does it have when you wiggle it lateraly? When you lock it staionary, how much play is there?

   Bill Lindau

1. 
   ChipTam | Feb 25, 2003 02:43pm | #2

   Blindau,

   Thank you for your reply to my question.  Yes, "lower end machine" was probably a poor use of the expression on my part.  I just meant that Mini-Max was a less expensive line produced by SCMI.  I went out and took a look at the shaper yesterday.  It seems to be in good shape.  Fence adjustments seemed a bit primative but they worked and some duct tape held on the motor cover plate (I guess the screws had been stripped).  Also, you need to change speeds manually via the motor pullies.  Otherwise, the machine seemed to work fine.  I tried to wiggle the sliding table as you suggested but it didn't seem to have any unusual play.  I'm sure I'll be kicking myself but I may not get it simply because of the size.  The table is larger than many other 3 HP shapers and, when you add in the sliding tabe, the footprint for the machine may be more than my 20x20 shop can handle.

1. 
   sandoval | Feb 26, 2003 12:03am | #3

   I think you will kick yourself for passing up that machine at that price!!! Mini max makes great stuff.

2. 
   JeffKurtz | Feb 27, 2003 07:31pm | #5

   Yes, MiniMax is in the "lower end" of SCMIs offerings, but it's heads above the usual Delta/Jet/Grizzly fare.

   I paid $1100 for my 3hp Jet.  No sliding table (which you can easily remove from the MiniMax) and crude fence/fence adjustments.

   You've stumbled across a great deal - don't pass this one up!

   Jeff

2. 
   clampman2 | Feb 27, 2003 06:36pm | #4

   Chiptam,

   What state is that shaper in?

   If it is anywhere in New England I will buy it sight unseen. Or NY or Pennsylvania.

   Clampman

   
   

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   Edited 2/27/2003 10:40:02 AM ET by clampman

1. 
   ChipTam | Mar 01, 2003 02:51pm | #6

   Clampman and Jeff,

   The machines are located in Michigan.  I suspect that they're all sold by now.  The prices he was asking were very reasonable and there was a good deal of traffic through his shop.  In addtion to the shaper, he had a Bridgewood wide belt sander which sold the same day as the ad appeared (not sure of the price); a Delta-Rockwell lathe (with a lot of good quality lathe tools) for $600: a SCMI jointer (at least 12" but I didn't look very carefully) for $2,000 and a 15" planner (an inexpensive import of some sort) for $400.  He's moving out of state and selling the bigger stuff but keeping most of the smaller tools.

   I may phone him this weekend to see if, by some chance, he still has the shaper.  I hated to pass it up but I look around my shop and can't figure out where I would put it.  I've got most of my machines on moveable bases and still I don't have any wall space left where it would be out of the way when not in use.  I even considered selling an old Powermatic 30-B belt-disk sander which I don't use very often in order to create a bit of wall space.  But, as soon as I sold it, I'm sure I would have a project where I needed it.

1. 
   clampman2 | Mar 01, 2003 11:49pm | #7

   Chip,

   Thanks for the reply. Didn't figure it would be in New England. Wouldn't last more than 5 minutes at that price here probably.

   regards,

   Clampman