Casadei vs Minimax vs Hammer

[Mickey Bradshaw]

This is my first post on Sawmill but I've done a lot of lurking. I'm in the market for some new equipment and I think a 5 in 1 combo machine would fit my garage shop best. I've read a lot about Minimax and Hammer machines but haven't seen much on Casadei. There is a new Casadei C 41 listed by a company in Ohio for $10,500.00. It has a 16" jointer/planer and looks to have a 5.5 foot sliding table. I'm sure for that price that the mortising attachment is extra. I recently got a quote from Hammer on their C331 Comfort ($10,200) and C341 Comfort ($12K). I also received a quote for Minimax CU300 Classic for $13,695.00. The C341 would have the 16" jointer/planer but the other two would be 12". If I knew more about Casadei, this may be an easier decision. Does anyone have experience with Casadei combo machines? If remove Casadei from the equation, is the CU300 worth that much more than the Hammer C341? Thank you in advance.

Cheers!!
Mickey

[Dan Friedrichs]

I don't know anything about the Casadei, but have you seen this thread? :)
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?265986-Importing-Combination-Machine-from-China-as-an-Individual-My-Adventure-(So-Far)

About 18 mos ago I went through the CU300 vs C3-31 decision, and went with the C3-31. The Minimax rep made some good points (for instance: the CU300 package includes the mortiser, and is apparently "beefier"/heavier), but I didn't really want the mortiser and am sufficiently happy with the C3-31. There are, of course, several people here on SMC who are very happy with their CU300's, though, too.

Have you asked Felder and Minimax reps if they can refer you to local owners so you can put your hands on the machines and compare for yourself? I did this before buying, and have since hosted several visitors.

[Peter Kelly]

If you can pick up a Casadei C 41 for $10,500.00, I'd certainly grab it. Essentially the same machine as the CU300 as both Casadei and MiniMax are brands of SCM Group.

[Mickey Bradshaw]

I don't know anything about the Casadei, but have you seen this thread? :)
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?265986-Importing-Combination-Machine-from-China-as-an-Individual-My-Adventure-(So-Far)

About 18 mos ago I went through the CU300 vs C3-31 decision, and went with the C3-31. The Minimax rep made some good points (for instance: the CU300 package includes the mortiser, and is apparently "beefier"/heavier), but I didn't really want the mortiser and am sufficiently happy with the C3-31. There are, of course, several people here on SMC who are very happy with their CU300's, though, too.

Have you asked Felder and Minimax reps if they can refer you to local owners so you can put your hands on the machines and compare for yourself? I did this before buying, and have since hosted several visitors.


I saw another video of an Asian combo machine. It seemed like it was a marketing video but it was pretty comical. The machine looked pretty good. However, I don't think I have the gnads to deal with all of the importing headache. Of course, he was rewarded with a decent machine at a cheap price.

That's a good idea about asking the reps for "references". I'm sure someone in the Phoenix area owns their machines.

What made you decide on the C3-31?

[Mickey Bradshaw]

If you can pick up a Casadei C 41 for $10,500.00, I'd certainly grab it. Essentially the same machine as the CU300 as both Casadei and MiniMax are brands of SCM Group.

That's kinda what I'm thinking, Peter. I just wish I knew more about the brand and the support behind it. Seems like a great price for a product that would be more similar to the C3-41. I'm looking forward to hearing back from the rep.

[Mickey Bradshaw]

This is that video of the ML310K from Zicar (or Jaya International). I think it's a little comical. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkuLZebvmVg At around 3:40 I sure thought he was going to cut through the crosscut fence.

[Dan Friedrichs]

What made you decide on the C3-31?

Honestly, there were few strong arguments in favor of one vs the other. I slightly preferred the aesthetics of the Hammer. I also have an affinity for Austrian/Germany engineering, and have had unpleasant experiences with Italian engineering. I also wanted the "SilentPower" spiral jointer (vs Tersa). Really small details, ultimately...


Exfactory's website appears to be down at the moment, but I recently saw a LOADED Felder combo machine on there for ~$20k? Looked like it came with every accessory, blade, and cutter imaginable. If I had the space for a longer slider and was doing it again, I'd be seriously considering that one.

[Albert Lee]

This is my first post on Sawmill but I've done a lot of lurking. I'm in the market for some new equipment and I think a 5 in 1 combo machine would fit my garage shop best. I've read a lot about Minimax and Hammer machines but haven't seen much on Casadei. There is a new Casadei C 41 listed by a company in Ohio for $10,500.00. It has a 16" jointer/planer and looks to have a 5.5 foot sliding table. I'm sure for that price that the mortising attachment is extra. I recently got a quote from Hammer on their C331 Comfort ($10,200) and C341 Comfort ($12K). I also received a quote for Minimax CU300 Classic for $13,695.00. The C341 would have the 16" jointer/planer but the other two would be 12". If I knew more about Casadei, this may be an easier decision. Does anyone have experience with Casadei combo machines? If remove Casadei from the equation, is the CU300 worth that much more than the Hammer C341? Thank you in advance.

Cheers!!
Mickey

I think you can eliminate Casadei from your option list, Casadei's combination machine is not that popular, and there is always a reason for that.

Do you need 16" JP? Its a nice feature but how often do you need it? and how critical is the 16" capacity to you?

If I were you I will take Minimax. For new machines, You pay what you get.

[Larry Edgerton]

I think you can eliminate Casadei from your option list, Casadei's combination machine is not that popular, and there is always a reason for that.

Do you need 16" JP? Its a nice feature but how often do you need it? and how critical is the 16" capacity to you?

If I were you I will take Minimax. For new machines, You pay what you get.

Really? All of the Casadei stuff I have looked at is SCMI machinery with less marketing. Would buy in a second to save a couple grand and gain 4". Much of the machinery in my shop is SCMI, no problems. Popularity and quality do not necessarily go hand in hand. I give you McDonalds...........

[David Kumm]

I don't believe there is much structural difference between Casadei and SCM. Mainly paint and a few bells and whistles now that they share so much in common . It would help to look at the choices. I don't think the Austrian vs Italian thing has much play here either as it is hard to tell where anything is made.

[Brian Holcombe]

I used the FS41 ES to capacity within about a week of owning it, and many many times since then.

[Mickey Bradshaw]

I think you can eliminate Casadei from your option list, Casadei's combination machine is not that popular, and there is always a reason for that.

Do you need 16" JP? Its a nice feature but how often do you need it? and how critical is the 16" capacity to you?

If I were you I will take Minimax. For new machines, You pay what you get.


The lack of popularity of the Casadei is a concern. However, if they are owned by SCMI with the same manufacturer and specs as the MM machines, maybe it has to do with the difference in the marketing between the two? I don't know how MM support is after the sale, but that is one thing that I'm concerned about with the Casadei. You make a good point with the 16" capacity. I probably wouldn't use it that often. I probably wouldn't even consider it if the 16" machine wasn't substantially cheaper as it is in this case.

[Peter Kelly]

I suspect support would ultimately be through their parent, SCMI. I believe the address for Casadei Busellato in Duluth GA is the same for both companies.

[mreza Salav]

There is a supplier of Casadei machines here in Canada and from what I have seen they are almost identical (perhaps made in the same factory line) as the Minimax line. I was considering buying a mortising attachment from their J/P for my minimax J/P and the diagrams seemed the same.
I would buy a combo at that price in a heart beat if it's in good condition.

[Mickey Bradshaw]

Thanks Peter, I will check on that.

mreza, that price I listed for that Casadei is NEW!!!

[mreza Salav]

That's a very good price IMO. Here in Canada it costs more to get C30 C.

[Randy Heinemann]

With all these cool tools, I wish I were young again and had a first floor workshop. I could have been a cabinet/furniture maker (at least in my head).

[Jim Andrew]

Considering what I paid for my K3 Winner, that Cassadi machine is a steal! And I often have a board over 12" wide I would like to joint and plane without ripping.
but as my jointer is a 12", I have to rip them down the middle and then try to put them back together again in the right place.

[Mickey Bradshaw]

Well, I guess as the old saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true.....". I talked to a rep from Woodwerks, the company that has the Casadei listed, and he said he could not recommend Casadei at this point. He said that they can't even get Casadei to respond to their inquiries and Casadei doesn't have the inventory. I guess I can eliminate that competitor.