A tradition of excellence. Since 1952 Minimax has always led the way and been at the forefront of innovative solutions for small shops with big shop needs. Practical, compact and robust, these are straight forward edgebanders, designed to do their job with ease and precision. They are also easy to maintain. Gain the edge with Minimax.

It ranges from 8mm (0.32”) to 16mm (0.63”) panel thickness depending on model.

50mm (1.97”) panel thickness for all Minimax edgebanders.

t depends on your situation and space. For a one or two-man shop in a small space the combo is the only way to go, in our opinion, which is informed with almost seven decades of manufacturing this type of machinery, we truly believe there is not really a close or fair comparison. The standard for most small shops SCM Group has been in over the years is a 6” jointer (maybe 8” if they can fit it) and a 12” lunchbox planer (or maybe a 15” stand alone). And those usually need to be on wheels and/or stored when not in use.  How many times do you get boards wider than 6-8”?  Pretty often.  Wider than 12”? Not so much, at least not with common stock. With a 12” or 16” jointer/planer combo there would be far fewer workarounds needed, greater capacity in most cases, more horsepower, better quality, and it will take up HALF the space. All for less money (if comparing equal sizes), or just a bit more money if comparing to the “standard” we discussed above.

Isn’t the changeover a real hassle?

No. It’s simply one minute per change. The average furniture projects require maybe one hour of total milling time between the jointer and planer functions. It’s shown that an operator will make 1-3 changeovers (at most), during that hour. Now we recommend you compare that to separate machines, with lesser capacities, and both machines on wheels and/or stored away. To go from jointer to planer requires you to move one machine out of the way and move the other one in. Switch over the dust collection hose, electrical connection. Now you are talking 3-5 minute per changeover, and more hassle. Over the years, we have experienced both worlds, and the evidence has proven… it is not even close – the combination machine is by far a faster changeover.

We’d all love a bigger bandsaw, more capacities, etc. but there are always budget constraints, space issues, and so on. My advice is, “Buy as much bandsaw as you have the room and can possibly afford”. In all my years of doing this, I have yet to hear one owner complain about having “too much” bandsaw. I started with the S 440P since it fit my needs at that time and was at a lower price point. I had no idea then how important the bandsaw was to become in my shop. I had grown up with a Delta 14”, like many of us, and I was unaware what a bandsaw could really do. Once I started cutting with the S 440P I wanted to use it more and more, and started moving many table saw applications with solid lumber over to the bandsaw. I then started craving a larger table and more rip capacity, so 4 years later I sold the S 440P and got a S 640P, which I still have. So, like so many other times in my life, I spent money twice to get the tool I should have gotten the first time. Yes, it would have cost a bit more then, but not near as much as buying twice, and I would have only cried once. 

Our stock bandsaws will have the Euroguide system. These have a 50 year proven track record, and utilize an industry wide standard guide mounting post, so if you prefer another type of guide system you’re not stuck shelling out another couple of hundred bucks for a conversion kit just to install them. I have tried many guide systems over the years (Several Carters, Laguna Ceramic guides, Paddock Tools) and I personally prefer the Euro guides. They adhere to the KISS principle. No tools required, quick to set up and effective. However, if you do decide you want something else, then pretty much all your aftermarket guide sets will fit the SCM saws. My advice is to use the Euroguides at first, THEN decide if you really need something else. It’s easy to get carried away and spend lots of money on parts you might never actually use. If there’s money burning a hole in your pocket, I would spend it on blades before aftermarket parts.