Minimax/Tecnomax CU410 Elite

[Andrew Dale]

Hey everyone!

I'm relatively new here in posting, but have been a lurker for quite some time. I've come upon the opportunity to buy the machine in the title, a 2007 SCM Tecnomax CU410 Elite.

Having a smaller shop, it's somewhat a dream to be able to have something this functional in such a small footprint.

Does anyone have any advice on things I should look out for or issues with this model?

Thanks in advance!
Andrew

[Todd Solomon]

That's a top notch machine, I owned a large Minimax sliding table saw and jointer/planer of that same approximate year. I'm assuming it has a Tersa cutterhead, can't say enough good things about how quickly you can change knives or shift them left to right if they become knicked. Very high quality, I'd jump on it if it's a good deal and in good condition.

I'd check all the usual stuff you would on separate machines. I'd check to see if the two jointer tables are reasonably flat and parallel, that the table saw top is reasonably flat, check for vibration, try all the different functions, Etc. Move the planer bed up and down and verify it's smooth and easy. There are probably other posts that go into this in detail. There are ways to measure the alignment of the sliding table, I'm rusty on the details. Some of this is adjustable, although it's not an easy task. Hopefully it is in good alignment like mine was, I didn't need to do any adjustments other than to calibrate the sliding table fence to be perpendicular (easy).

There used to be a Minimax users group on Yahoo but I believe it is no longer, probably moved to another platform. Jim Becker or others may be able to give you some insights.


Hey everyone!

I'm relatively new here in posting, but have been a lurker for quite some time. I've come upon the opportunity to buy the machine in the title, a 2007 SCM Tecnomax CU410 Elite.

Having a smaller shop, it's somewhat a dream to be able to have something this functional in such a small footprint.

Does anyone have any advice on things I should look out for or issues with this model?

Thanks in advance!
Andrew

[Chris Fournier]

I currently have a slightly newer Minimax CU 410 Elite S, they literally just returned the name to Minimax from Technomax when this machine was produced. For what you can do with this combo it asks for very little space in your shop. It is built like a tank with the heaviest and largest castings in it's class. The jointer is BRILLIANT, I think that you could practice short takeoffs and landings on it! I lowered the height of the slider over the cast TS table top to make it more useful for many ripping operations. Dust collection is good with the right collector. I run the saw at 3000 RPM and have seen no need yet to increase the speed.

If you feel that your opportunity is within your grasp I would recommend that you go for it. Hopefully you have the mobility kit on your machine, if not I'd order or fabricate one. Best to move it with a forklift and a tilt and load trailer, And I'm not a fan of hiring others...

Let us know if you pull the trigger.

[Jim Becker]

Awesome, top of the line SCM/Minimax combo...why isn't it in your shop already? ;)

[mreza Salav]

That's my ultimate goal: to sell my current table saw, minimax J/P, and shaper and get one of those. Go for it.

[Andrew Dale]

Awesome, top of the line SCM/Minimax combo...why isn't it in your shop already? ;)

Because there hasn’t been one available to a part-timer budget yet! But now there is. 😁

[Andrew Dale]

I currently have a slightly newer Minimax CU 410 Elite S, they literally just returned the name to Minimax from Technomax when this machine was produced. For what you can do with this combo it asks for very little space in your shop. It is built like a tank with the heaviest and largest castings in it's class. The jointer is BRILLIANT, I think that you could practice short takeoffs and landings on it! I lowered the height of the slider over the cast TS table top to make it more useful for many ripping operations. Dust collection is good with the right collector. I run the saw at 3000 RPM and have seen no need yet to increase the speed.

If you feel that your opportunity is within your grasp I would recommend that you go for it. Hopefully you have the mobility kit on your machine, if not I'd order or fabricate one. Best to move it with a forklift and a tilt and load trailer, And I'm not a fan of hiring others...

Let us know if you pull the trigger.

I have a ClearVue cyclone that pulls a LOT of air, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

It does have the mobility kit.

As far as moving it, my dad and I are going to figure something out. We moved an old 1930s 12” Oliver jointer just the two of us. I’m sure we can make it work. (Famous last words, right?!)

[Andrew Dale]

Thanks for all the info! They are about 6 hours from me, so I’m having them do a quick recording showing functionality and calibration.

[Andrew Dale]

That's my ultimate goal: to sell my current table saw, minimax J/P, and shaper and get one of those. Go for it.

Selling my table saw and planer will not pain me at all. Selling the old Oliver jointer is another story.

[Dave Sabo]

Because there hasn’t been one available to a part-timer budget yet! But now there is. 😁

um........he meant why isn't that one in your shop.

[David Kumm]

I think Sam Blasco uses that machine and close to the same vintage. Reach out to him for good insight. Dave

[Jim Becker]

Because there hasn’t been one available to a part-timer budget yet! But now there is. 

Oh, I meant the one that's currently available. Open your wallet. Fast. Before it disappears... ;)

[Andrew Dale]

Oh, I meant the one that's currently available. Open your wallet. Fast. Before it disappears... ;)


It's happening soon! The seller is about 9 hours from here, so they're going to let me pay them a deposit to secure it until I can make it over there.

[Jim Becker]

"Congrats in advance"...you'll enjoy that machine for sure. Had my shop's physical constraints not precluded a full combo, that's likely what I'd have now. But the S315WS slider (with poor-man's "shaper" setup) and my MM J/P combo did fit. :)

[Andrew Dale]

Well, the seller was nice enough to let me put down a deposit to hold on to it until the end of the month. Unless things really go haywire, I will be heading to pick it up on Memorial Day!

I guess I need to find someone to buy my old 12" Oliver jointer, now!

[Todd Solomon]

Well, the seller was nice enough to let me put down a deposit to hold on to it until the end of the month. Unless things really go haywire, I will be heading to pick it up on Memorial Day!

I guess I need to find someone to buy my old 12" Oliver jointer, now!

That's terrific, congrats!

[Joe Hendershott]

Glad someone finally got that one- I was eyeing it and the price is good. I was more worried about finding someone to transport it. Looked like he has some easy access in that garage though.

[Ron Selzer]

I guess I need to find someone to buy my old 12" Oliver jointer, now!

Where are you located at?
Ron

[Andrew Dale]

I guess I need to find someone to buy my old 12" Oliver jointer, now!

Where are you located at?
Ron

Apologies. I've put it in my profile now.

I'm in Memphis, TN.

[Andrew Dale]

Glad someone finally got that one- I was eyeing it and the price is good. I was more worried about finding someone to transport it. Looked like he has some easy access in that garage though.

The garage door will be a huge help. My father and I moved the 12" Oliver jointer by ourselves into a Uhaul trailer. I think we just take these kinds of things as chances to prove ourselves even more. :D

[Andrew Dale]

So, we're heading on Monday to pick this up, but I'm hoping someone has some information they can provide. I'm getting conflicting information from sources and the owner isn't home this week to measure.

What size is the arbor on the saw? Is it capable of 12" blade, but has a 5/8" arbor?

[Jim Becker]

So, we're heading on Monday to pick this up, but I'm hoping someone has some information they can provide. I'm getting conflicting information from sources and the owner isn't home this week to measure.

What size is the arbor on the saw? Is it capable of 12" blade, but has a 5/8" arbor?

It should be a 5/8" arbor. SCM/Minimax made them this way to make using a typical dado stack easier as well as, presumably, to make it easier for folks to use existing blades when they upgrade to the Euro machine from a North American style saw. And FYI, the Forrest WW-II 40T and 48T 12" blade does come in 5/8" arbor so you don't need to use a bushing but any 12" blade with a 1" bore can be used with a bushing. I bought my 12" WW-II 48T blades from Silvers Mill for very nice prices.

[Andrew Dale]

It should be a 5/8" arbor. SCM/Minimax made them this way to make using a typical dado stack easier as well as, presumably, to make it easier for folks to use existing blades when they upgrade to the Euro machine from a North American style saw. And FYI, the Forrest WW-II 40T and 48T 12" blade does come in 5/8" arbor so you don't need to use a bushing but any 12" blade with a 1" bore can be used with a bushing. I bought my 12" WW-II 48T blades from Silvers Mill for very nice prices.

And this is why you never assume! I just included two blades and my 6” dado stack with the sale of my Grizzly saw. Guess it’s time to upgrade blades too!

[Rick Potter]

It is also nice that you have the option to also use 10" blades on the machine. I use them sometimes on my CU 300, rather than the 12". That way the specialty blades I already have in 10" do not have to be duplicated.

Don't forget to readjust the riving knife though.

[Chris Fournier]

So, we're heading on Monday to pick this up, but I'm hoping someone has some information they can provide. I'm getting conflicting information from sources and the owner isn't home this week to measure.

What size is the arbor on the saw? Is it capable of 12" blade, but has a 5/8" arbor?

Mine has a 1" arbor and can spin 14" blade. I think that the 1"er was an option.

[Jim Becker]

It is also nice that you have the option to also use 10" blades on the machine. I use them sometimes on my CU 300, rather than the 12". That way the specialty blades I already have in 10" do not have to be duplicated.

Don't forget to readjust the riving knife though.

This was a big benefit to me after I bought my S315WS slider...using the same 10" blades I already owned without changing the bore until it was appropriate to replace them.

[Andrew Dale]

Heading to Atlanta from Memphis right now! Exciting day.

[Jim Becker]

Congrats on what's a very exciting road trip! Stay safe... ;)

[Kelly Foster]

This seems to be one of the more current Minimax combo machine threads, so I'll post my question here. I own a 300 Classic, and am considering upgrading to a 410es. I like the mobility of my 300, with the T handle steering wheel and built in pair of wheels. Doesn't look like the 410 has that, and obviously it's a substantially heavier machine. Any comments by 410 owners re mobility? And also footprint when at its most compact? I have a lot going on in my small shop (440sf), and parking the 300 in one corner works. Hopefully a 410 footprint when not in use will be somewhat similar?

[Kelly Foster]

One other question, should I pull the trigger on the 410es: does anyone have a sense for market demand for the 300? I don't see a lot of them used online, and curious how long it would take to find next owner of mine. California based, and can deliver within reasonable distance.

[Jim Becker]

Kelly, I think that your perception around the size and weight of the 410 series is accurate...while you might be able to have it mobile, it's not going to be the best idea for sure. There's substantially more machine there. So IMHO, if you can place it in your shop in a position that supports infeed/outfeed well and leave it, that should be your preferred plan. If you give it some careful thought, you should be able to come up with a plan and that usually also means putting it at an angle in the shop to maximize the ability for the slider wagon to go end to end.

As to pre-owned, the market still seems to be pretty good and a clean, well maintained combo should not be a big issue to sell. I believe a 'Creeker recently sold one in the classifieds here (you'll need to be a Contributor to do that...click the Donate button up top. It's only six bux minimum to gain the benefits of the Classifieds, image viewing and private messaging) You'll also want to advertise it in the SCM/Minimax online group, too.

[Kelly Foster]

Thanks Jim. Annual donation set up, and yesterday I posted to the Minimax users group, and have received good intel there. Thanks re moving the 300 Classic if I end up getting the 410es. I traded messages with Sam at SCM re the mobility of the 410. Short summary is it's "mobile enough" that I can move it and other woodworking equipment out of the way if doing automotive projects, or setting up the Lucas Mill.

[Jim Becker]

I'm glad you're speaking with my friend Sam...he's "da best".