Mm 16

[Dick Sylvan]

Okay, I know this has been discussed over and over, but I am on the cusp of ordering an MM 16. I have seen gripes about this and that, but I will call on any MM 16 owners to please tell me now if there is any reason (other than money) that I should look elsewhere. This is kinda like what you hear at a wedding, only, of course, way more important!!! I will also welcome answers that will further validate my "well thought out and highly intelligent" decision, or otherwise..

[Robert LaPlaca]

I have owned a MM16 since 2003, the machine I own is a first generation MM16 with only a 13" resaw and 3.6hp motor.

I have some minor gripes, like the miter gauge is really junky, the mobile base is not very well though out. If I had to buy a new bandsaw again today, it would be a MM.

[jerry cousins]

i have the same generation mm as robert - a great machine. i use it almost xclusively to cut veneers. the best upgrade for me was ceramic guides - once set the cuts just peel off precisely.

jerry

[Jim Becker]

Happy camper here with mine!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I've got the newer version MM-16 with 16" resaw and the 4.8 hp. I've used it a very limited amount and I'm a bandsaw rookie. Yeah I'd buy it again.

[Gary Herrmann]

Um, 4.8 hp and 16" resaw isn't enough for you?

Happy with mine as well.

[Doug Shepard]

The miter gauge stinks, the manual sucks, the mobility kit only seems to satisfy folks with really level floors, the older switches had lots of problems but that seems to have improved with the new switches, and the newer table/insert arrangement has improved. The saw is fantastic. Get a Lenox Tri-Master on it, and you'll grin every time you use it.

[Randy Denby]

I've got the new generation 16" resaw and 4.8hp MM. Just wanted to chime in too...I'd definitely buy it again. Cuts like buttah.......

[Brian Kent]

This is kinda like what you hear at a wedding, only, of course, way more important!!! I will also welcome answers that will further validate my "well thought out and highly intelligent" decision, or otherwise..

As a pastor, I can only give this one piece of advice. DO NOT bring your MM 16 to a wedding. Your bride will catch on about your priorities WAY too soon.;)

Brian

[Dick Sylvan]

As a pastor, I can only give this one piece of advice. DO NOT bring your MM 16 to a wedding. Your bride will catch on about your priorities WAY too soon.;)

Brian

Well, I have been married for 35 years now, so I think she has them figured out better than I do.

[Walt Caza]

Hi Dick,
I applaud your well thought out and highly intelligent purchase decision!
There is nothing in small dreams to stir the heart.


I have a 4.8hp MM16, in Europe I guess they don't round up.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=48236
To be completely candid, I have found that they get the broadstrokes
right, while perhaps overlooking some of the finer, more finesse strokes.
The machine is solid, strong, rigid as heck, beautifully welded and cuts
like crazy. That said, the details were a bit disappointing on mine, but
I share responsibility, in not having moved too far to resolve them.

I have hesitated to post my saw's quirks a few times.
Nothing major, just lots of little goofs and sloppiness.
I have found that I am not alone in this, many have chimed similar concerns and disappointments.
However, I feel I own the best 16" bandsaw I could buy, and would certainly buy it again.

As for concerns mentioned by others in this post, I have found:
-a miter guage is not too useful on a bandsaw anyway, what about blade drift?
-I meant from the start to put it on a mobile base, but find the included mobility kit adequate on my plywd loft floor
-my switch is of the fresher option, and ok so far, knock on wood
-I have had good results with a 1/2" woodslicer band for resawing
-do not expect flawless paint, easy set bottom guide thumbscrew, a door that opens enough to swap a wide band
without removing a wheel, or an armadillo guard that doesn't need filing for clearance,etc, etc

They market their saw as superior, and with superior service...
mostly true, but the details left me underwhelmed. I remain a proud owner.
Good luck with your big decision,
Walt
:)

[Jerry White]

Dick,

I have the 3.6 HP, 13 inch resaw version also. I think it is an excellent, very well built machine. Have had no problems.

I did replace the mobility kit with Zambus casters, primarily due to tight shop space. The manual that came with the MM16 was not very good, but if that is still the case, there is a nice manual available for download at the MM users group site. I do plan to spring for the Lenox Tri-Master carbide blade one of these days.

Do you know if MiniMax will be at the Woodworking Show in Houston next month? If so, you might work a deal on a show special or at least save shipping.

Good luck,

Jerry

[Doug Shepard]

...
-a miter guage is not too useful on a bandsaw anyway, what about blade drift?
...

What blade drift? Seriously, that's something I just dont even worry about any more (at least with the Lenox on there, which is 95% of the time).

[Mike Forsman]

Dick,

I too am the owner of a MM16. I have been really pleased with the saw and it's capabilities. I also did quite a bit of research before I made the decision.

Like many of the others, I thought the manual that came with the saw was a waste of paper. The one from the MM users group is much better.

Complaints about the miter gauge have never concerned me since I have not yet seen a reason to try and make a cut with the miter gauge.

The mobility kit really didn't work well for my shop. If you have a place that you can put the saw and not move it much, then the mobility kit may work ok for you. I ended up taking the mobility kit off and using leveling casters for Great lakes Caster (http://www.greatlakescaster.com/). About the same as the Zambus casters, only less expensive.

Mike

[Bruce Page]

I can only say that I'm happy with my purchase decision.

No regrets.

[Charles Shenk]

I have one of the newer ones and like it. It should last me a lifetime and then some. The sales and support are good too. If I had more space I would buy an older 14" delta or powermatic for smaller blade work and leave the larger blade on the MM.

[William Addison]

Walt Caza said it.

It's a good saw, maybe not as good as some of the industrial saws I've used, but it works well once it's set up. The documentation is awful, all I needed was a schematic but even that was from an earlier model and wrong which means it was worse than none at all. The guard is poorly designed and also must have a notch cut in it before the support bearing can be moved close to the blade. Their tech support people are nice but not incredibly competent. Where the saw beats others in it's class is the frame which is strong enough to allow serious tension to be put on a blade without deforming.

I'd buy one again but I do wish I could have seen a Grizzy 636.

[Butch Spears]

I also have the newer model, it is Great, I have it in it's place with the leveler bolts and it is all I will ever need or want, Enjoy your selection.
Butch Spears

[Gary Cioni]

I purchased my MM16 last summer and have no regrets. It's a great saw that will last my lifetime and than some. I did purchase an HTC Mobile Base and it's much easier to move around than with the Wheels & Lift Bar kit that came with the saw.

[Howie French]

I have the newer model as well, I bought it a few years ago when it was first released, I have had no issues.

It has been a joy to use.

Howie