My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not grow
with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible option,
Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
Minimax MM16 1895.00
These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I have
read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
TIA
Lawrence A. Ramsey <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Mon, you are way too high. I found a NEW Mini-Max 18: saw for around
> $1200. Maybe $1300. I had one and am in the process of getting it
> back. I love it!!
>
The MiniMax S45, 18" bandsaw is actually made by MiniMax and it's a
lot lighter duty than the smaller MM16 and larger MM20, MM24, etc.
which are made for MiniMax by Centaro.
Going through the same problem. Was going to order the Laguna 14 and
then saw the 14SE, then for $200 more I could get the 16LT, then for
$400........ Keith
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
I recently bought and LT16HD after comparing it with the LT16 some of
the features make nicer, in particualar it weights about 150lbs more,
I really like the rack & pinon table as it's heavy and would be a pain
to hold and tighten down with out it. The HD also has a larger
motor.
I haven't any problems with the motor, I think it's a marathon motor
on my machine i'd have to check (As they painted the case to match the
machine) I resawed a 10" piece of oak without much problems the motor
seemed to handle it just fine. I haven't even noticed it getting
warm, I'll check next time I use it but it certainly isn't hot or
anything.
At the recent woodworking show I looked a minmax just for curiosity
and it looks almost identical to my lagauna, I have no experiance with
them so take with a grain of salt. But overall they looked very much
the same just few minor differnces. If your comparing the MM16 to the
LT16 then the minmax is much better built, but I think with LT16HD
it's a toss up. They both look like very solid tools.
I liked the laguna guides the are great once they wear the blade down
a little it's very smooth with little to no vibration produces great
cuts with minimal drift (compared to my 14" jet)
My only grip about the laguna is the dust collection port is a strange
size, it's like between 4" and 5" so nothing really fits it well. (but
I can replace it)
I've also had good experiance with thier tech support, my fence came
with a large ding in it, so they sent me a new one.
I chose the laguna because they cut me a deal, a free set of blades
and a discount on the "mobility kit" (actually a set of wheels and a
metal handle). And because I knew the name better and there other
import products get good reviews as well.
At the woodworking show recently they were offering the LT16HD with
the mobility kit and a resaw king blade for like $2100 or something,
not a bad deal considering.
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
I recently faced a similar dilemma, and ended up buying the 16 inch Laguna
(LT16). I bought it primarily for resawing and have been delighted at its
performance. I have also found that a bandsaw is a wonderfully versitile
tool, and much more generally useful than I had expected.
The LT6HD is beefier and has more deluxe features than my saw, like a bigger
table and a rack-pinion device for adjusting the upper guide height, but the
LT16HD costs $600 more than the LT16. You can check out the differences in
the models at www.lagunatools.com . Don't forget the cost of a mobility kit,
about $175 (which I consider essential as my saw weighs 352 lb), and the
cost of shipping, also about $175. When I added in these costs I was looking
at well over $2K for the Minimax or the LT16HD, so I started looking harder
at alternatives .
The LT16 is worth considering if cost is a major factor. Any Laguna or
Minimax will a significant step up from a 14" Delta or Jet if you intend to
a lot of resawing.
Jay
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not
grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible
option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I
have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
>
>
I own a Mini-Max and LOVE it!!!!
On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 09:47:17 GMT, "BadgerDog"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I agree with your assessment that the Mini-Max is the best built. I haven't
>seen the Bridgewood up close, but I think both it and the LT16HD are made by
>ACM (and I've read claims that Laguna sets some of the specs higher, but I
>cannot verify this). I went through a similar decision process between
>Laguna and Mini-Max about a year and a half ago I went to a woodworking show
>with my sights set on the LT18HD. Based on numerous reviews, positive
>comments online and a couple of earlier shows I was familiar with the LT18HD
>and had decided it was time to go get one. Before going to the Laguna
>booth, I checked out the Mini-Max booth. At the time I did not know much
>about Mini-Max other than a few small ads I had seen but not paid much
>attention to. The salesman spent quite a bit of time with me going over the
>MM16. He pointed out many of the features and throughly explained how many
>of the aspects of the MM16 are designed for superior performance for the
>long term. Granted, at the time I took much of this with a grain of salt
>but he explained that he was trying to show me the features that set the
>MM16 apart from the competition, and he encouraged me to check out the other
>vendor's saws at the show. I looked at all the makes of bandsaws at the
>show and the Mini-Max and Laguna saws looked to be the best built. There
>were a few other brands that had the same European style, but you could tell
>they had skimped more on the specs (e.g. lighter weight wheels, smaller
>bearings, etc.).
>
>As far as the Laguna versus Mini-Max, I'll first say that I think most
>people would be quite happy with either one because they are both well built
>saws. That said, I think there are several aspects that give the MM series
>the edge ovet the LT-HD series. I'll add the caveat that my comparison is
>based on the saws 1.5 years ago and do not reflect any changes/improvements
>either company has made. Here are a few of the many differences that
>impressed me:
>
>1) Upper blade guide support system is much more substantial on the MM
>series. Larger column for greater stiffness; use of a sprocket & chain
>which should tend to be self-clearing of sawdust compared to the simplier
>rack and pinion mechanism that can tend to pack sawdust into the rack; more
>robust mounting method. On the LT18HD the upper assembly was mounted
>directly to the metal saw frame. If (when) it needs to be adjusted there
>could be problems if the holes in the frame tend to wear or get stripped.
>On the MM saws, there is a mounting plate that is attached to the saw frame
>and the upper guide is attached via this mounting plate. Adjustment of the
>upper guide is easily accessed from outside the cabinet and since this
>set-up doesn't require re-positioning the mounting plate on the saw frame
>there holes in the frame should not wear/strip. If you can compare the two
>saws side by side I think you will see what I mean. The Laguna system may
>hold up for years, but I think that the Mini-Max system is designed to hold
>up even longer. It may be overkill, but it is nice to error on the side of
>robustness, especially for the same price.
>
>2) The MM tires are easily replaced and do not require glue to put on. The
>wheels have a groove machined into them and the tires have a rib that seats
>in the groove. So the tires can be replaced relatively easily. I have not
>need to replace a tire yet, and don't expect to for quite awhile, but if
>(when) the time comes I will appreciate this feature.
>
>3) The lower blade guides can be moved up and down to keep the guides as
>close to the table as possible for better blade support. The only downside
>of raising the lower guides is they will interfere with the table tilt (you
>need to lower them to tilt the table). Of course you can leave them lowered
>(same as the only position available on the LTHD) if you will tilt the table
>often.
>
>4) Motor heating problems? The Mini-Max salesman claims their motor is
>better and doesn't have an overheating problem like the Laguna motor.
>Although I cannot definitely confirm this is the case I do have 3 anecdotal
>pieces of evidence for support. (i) The MM salesman let the saw run ahile
>for me and performed a few tall resaw slices during the process while I felt
>the motor fan exhaust; the air stayed cool during the entire process (I also
>felt the motor which was also relatively cool). In contrast, when I went to
>the Laguna booth the salesman started the saw and made a similar resaw cut.
>By the end of the cut I could move around to where I could feel the motor
>and exhaust, both of which were noticeably warmer than the MM.
>Unfortunately, I didn't feel the motor before he started the saw, so It may
>have recently been run hard an shut off (although I do not think this was
>the case). (ii) I have read a similar account in a review posted on the
>internet where a guy brought his own piece of wood to a show to test the
>resaw capabilities of the different saws. (iii) I ended up buying the
>MM20, and while I just use it ocassionaly as a hobbiest, I have never felt
>the motor/exhaust get nearly as warm as the Laguna I saw at the show. Note,
>if Laguna truely has/had a problem with their motors overheating (ascribed
>to running 50Hz European motors on our 60Hz service), they may have fixed
>this issue by now.
>
>There are some features I like better about the Laguna; most notebly their
>high/low fence. But overall, I think the MM has the supier design in many
>(and more fundamental) aspects. Again, I think either saw would be a fine
>addition to the shop and quite a step up from many saws out there, but I
>agree that the MM series is better built rthan the LTHD series in many (but
>not necessarily all) ways. I encourage you to examine both closely if
>possible, preferably with a guided tour from the salesmen.
>
>BadgerDog
>
>
>
>"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not
>grow
>> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible
>option,
>> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
>> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>>
>> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
>> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
>> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>>
>> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I
>have
>> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>>
>
I agree with your assessment that the Mini-Max is the best built. I haven't
seen the Bridgewood up close, but I think both it and the LT16HD are made by
ACM (and I've read claims that Laguna sets some of the specs higher, but I
cannot verify this). I went through a similar decision process between
Laguna and Mini-Max about a year and a half ago I went to a woodworking show
with my sights set on the LT18HD. Based on numerous reviews, positive
comments online and a couple of earlier shows I was familiar with the LT18HD
and had decided it was time to go get one. Before going to the Laguna
booth, I checked out the Mini-Max booth. At the time I did not know much
about Mini-Max other than a few small ads I had seen but not paid much
attention to. The salesman spent quite a bit of time with me going over the
MM16. He pointed out many of the features and throughly explained how many
of the aspects of the MM16 are designed for superior performance for the
long term. Granted, at the time I took much of this with a grain of salt
but he explained that he was trying to show me the features that set the
MM16 apart from the competition, and he encouraged me to check out the other
vendor's saws at the show. I looked at all the makes of bandsaws at the
show and the Mini-Max and Laguna saws looked to be the best built. There
were a few other brands that had the same European style, but you could tell
they had skimped more on the specs (e.g. lighter weight wheels, smaller
bearings, etc.).
As far as the Laguna versus Mini-Max, I'll first say that I think most
people would be quite happy with either one because they are both well built
saws. That said, I think there are several aspects that give the MM series
the edge ovet the LT-HD series. I'll add the caveat that my comparison is
based on the saws 1.5 years ago and do not reflect any changes/improvements
either company has made. Here are a few of the many differences that
impressed me:
1) Upper blade guide support system is much more substantial on the MM
series. Larger column for greater stiffness; use of a sprocket & chain
which should tend to be self-clearing of sawdust compared to the simplier
rack and pinion mechanism that can tend to pack sawdust into the rack; more
robust mounting method. On the LT18HD the upper assembly was mounted
directly to the metal saw frame. If (when) it needs to be adjusted there
could be problems if the holes in the frame tend to wear or get stripped.
On the MM saws, there is a mounting plate that is attached to the saw frame
and the upper guide is attached via this mounting plate. Adjustment of the
upper guide is easily accessed from outside the cabinet and since this
set-up doesn't require re-positioning the mounting plate on the saw frame
there holes in the frame should not wear/strip. If you can compare the two
saws side by side I think you will see what I mean. The Laguna system may
hold up for years, but I think that the Mini-Max system is designed to hold
up even longer. It may be overkill, but it is nice to error on the side of
robustness, especially for the same price.
2) The MM tires are easily replaced and do not require glue to put on. The
wheels have a groove machined into them and the tires have a rib that seats
in the groove. So the tires can be replaced relatively easily. I have not
need to replace a tire yet, and don't expect to for quite awhile, but if
(when) the time comes I will appreciate this feature.
3) The lower blade guides can be moved up and down to keep the guides as
close to the table as possible for better blade support. The only downside
of raising the lower guides is they will interfere with the table tilt (you
need to lower them to tilt the table). Of course you can leave them lowered
(same as the only position available on the LTHD) if you will tilt the table
often.
4) Motor heating problems? The Mini-Max salesman claims their motor is
better and doesn't have an overheating problem like the Laguna motor.
Although I cannot definitely confirm this is the case I do have 3 anecdotal
pieces of evidence for support. (i) The MM salesman let the saw run ahile
for me and performed a few tall resaw slices during the process while I felt
the motor fan exhaust; the air stayed cool during the entire process (I also
felt the motor which was also relatively cool). In contrast, when I went to
the Laguna booth the salesman started the saw and made a similar resaw cut.
By the end of the cut I could move around to where I could feel the motor
and exhaust, both of which were noticeably warmer than the MM.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel the motor before he started the saw, so It may
have recently been run hard an shut off (although I do not think this was
the case). (ii) I have read a similar account in a review posted on the
internet where a guy brought his own piece of wood to a show to test the
resaw capabilities of the different saws. (iii) I ended up buying the
MM20, and while I just use it ocassionaly as a hobbiest, I have never felt
the motor/exhaust get nearly as warm as the Laguna I saw at the show. Note,
if Laguna truely has/had a problem with their motors overheating (ascribed
to running 50Hz European motors on our 60Hz service), they may have fixed
this issue by now.
There are some features I like better about the Laguna; most notebly their
high/low fence. But overall, I think the MM has the supier design in many
(and more fundamental) aspects. Again, I think either saw would be a fine
addition to the shop and quite a step up from many saws out there, but I
agree that the MM series is better built rthan the LTHD series in many (but
not necessarily all) ways. I encourage you to examine both closely if
possible, preferably with a guided tour from the salesmen.
BadgerDog
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not
grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible
option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I
have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
>
>
Check out Aggazani. The best of the 4.
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not
grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible
option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I
have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
>
>
"newspost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not
grow
> with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible
option,
> Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
> thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
> Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
> Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
> Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
> These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I
have
> read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
> TIA
>
>
I own a 18" Laguna, and used a 16" Bridgewood that was built around 1997. I
have no experience with the Minimax, and I have not kept current with the
features of the current models. I am extremely impressed with the Laguna.
It is a heavy duty industrial machine that has performed wonderfully. I use
it mostly for resawing, and always get great results. I can not begin to
figure out how many linear feet I have ran through the saw without any
problems.
Bob McBreen
Mon, you are way too high. I found a NEW Mini-Max 18: saw for around
$1200. Maybe $1300. I had one and am in the process of getting it
back. I love it!!
On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 22:29:42 GMT, "newspost" <[email protected]> wrote:
>My budget has not changed, but money wasted on a machine that will not grow
>with my needs is not money saved. Bridgewood looks like a possible option,
>Laguna or Minimax are equally priced, Minimax seems best built...any
>thoughts...plans are for cabinet and furniture making, resawing necessary.
>
>Bridgewood PBS-440 1595.00
>Laguna LT16HD 1895.00
>Minimax MM16 1895.00
>
>These are 600-900 more than I was planning on spending, but from what I have
>read worth the investment...now to choose between them.
>
>TIA
>