Bandsaw Fence For MiniMax 16

[Steve Costa]

I am investigating the Driftmaster from Laguna Tools.

Has anyone had experience mounting a Driftmaster to a MiniMax 16?

I am also looking at the Magfence from Carter, which does not require drilling any holes. Does anyone have experience with this fence?

I would appreciate any or all comments on these fences.

Steve

[Chris Padilla]

Steve,

Search a bit on the subject for the Driftmaster...there was a thread that answers your question exactly. I hadn't heard of the Magfence from Carter. I have a Kreg fence on my MM20.

[Steve Costa]

Chris,

Thanks for the pointer. I read a few of the posts and I will be reading the rest of them this weekend. Initial impression is installation of the Driftmaster is at best difficult and the instructions leave a great deal left unsaid. However, once accomplished it seems most are happy with it when the installation is done.

Thanks for the suggestion re: the Kreg fence.

The Carter Magfence is an extruded aluminum fence with a series of magnets on its base used to hold the fence to a metal surface.

Steve

[Gary Max]

Heck I wish my Laguna had a good fence on it. It's a HD-16 and I have to C-clamp it down or it drifts.

[Van Huskey]

I think the fact your rarely see anyone complain about the Laguna DM once it is on and setup speaks volumes. I have used one on several occasions and WILL have one for my MM20 when I get the shop finished.

[Scot Ferraro]

I am a very happy Laguna DM fence owner -- I used to have problems with the original fence and could never get it set exactly right. Since installing the DM fence, I have had zero issues. I was able to rip several hard maple strips 1 1/2 inches wide and the edges were parallel to within .001 - .002 inches to my dial calipers -- accurate enough for me :). It can be frustrating to install initially, but once you get it dialed in it is a dream set-up. My only real complaint is that I have to tilt the table a little to open the doors since there is not quite enough clearance top open the door fully. Not a deal breaker and I would rather have that problem and a fence that adjusts so easily compared to a fence that does not adjust. Other installs might not have this problem and I have a 9 year old LT18. There is a new fence coming out in a few weeks that is something like 8 inches wide (same length) to aid in resawing thicker timbers for veneer. I think it will cost a little more than the current fence. I have been happy with original width fence so far, but it is nice to have options. I think that the DM fence might be on sale this month too.

Scot

[Gary Max]

I only have the fence that came on the saw not the DM-----Heck I would of thought they came with a good fence for the money they cost.

[Doug Shepard]

If I ain't mistaken, one of the Dreiftmaster videos on the Laguna site shows it being installed on a Minimax. I think a MM16 but it might have been one the larger saws. I thought about going with a DM but I haven't had any issues using the factory MM16 fence with taller backer boards attached. Plus I don't like 2 aspects of the DM - you can't remove the fence (without dis-assembly) and you can't put it on the opposite side of the blade for tilited table cuts.

[Steve Costa]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll look at the Laguna videos, especially if there is one that addresses the MM16.

In my search I found these two links:

First one is how to install on a Minimax MM20. Great "how to" description of the process.
http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resoh894/lagunadriftmasterfenceinstallonminimaxmm20bandsawr eplacingtheoriginalfence/ (http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resoh894/lagunadriftmasterfenceinstallonminimaxmm20bandsawr eplacingtheoriginalfence/)

The second is a Laguna video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciUN0ouezrw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciUN0ouezrw)

Prior to purchasing I'll ask Laguna about the new fence height and see if can be retro fitted to the DM.

I have not had much luck with the stock MM fence. Each time I tighten it I get a significant amount of deflection. Operator problem --- most likely:eek:!!!!.

Steve

[Chas Richter]

I did not like the fence on the MM16. Heavy, but crude design. I built this T square style:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x275/c2rower/SHOP/100_2865.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll look at the Laguna videos, especially if there is one that addresses the MM16.

In my search I found these two links:

First one is how to install on a Minimax MM20. Great "how to" description of the process.
http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resoh894/lagunadriftmasterfenceinstallonminimaxmm20bandsawr eplacingtheoriginalfence/ (http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resoh894/lagunadriftmasterfenceinstallonminimaxmm20bandsawr eplacingtheoriginalfence/)

Steve

I like that link. Looks like something I would have made. Thanks for linking it up.

Mike Heidrick
BloomingtonMike

[Rick Markham]

The Driftmaster is worth every penny and more. Don't let the instructions scare you off. They are horrible... yes. There is more than enough expertise on this forum to get you easily through it. The benefits outweigh the shortcomings of the directions. If you are even slightly mechanically inclined it won't take you long at all.

I can adjust for drift with one 5" to 6" cut. (In about 15 seconds) after that it's set and using it is a piece of cake. Best investment I ever made! (besides the bandsaw) Repeatablility of cuts, and accuracy is taken to a whole new level with that fence.