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I've been watching Craigslist this whole year for a decent bandsaw at a good price. Lot's of 14" saws that are no better than my 14" Delta and not much of anything else. I was about ready to buy a new Grizzly G0513X2BF 17", 2HP, 12" resaw, brake, 327#, for $1319 delivered plus a good carbide blade put me at $1500 for the new saw with a warranty. I would buy the Grizzly 19" with 3HP but it is just to big for my little shop.

All of a sudden I have a choice of 2 saws that are heavier with more horsepower, but are older used, but not great deals:

1) Laguna 2003 lightly used (but dirty) LT16HD. 16", 2.9HP, 13 1/2" resaw, ceramic guides, brake, 407#, including a 1" Resaw King used blade and several carbon blades, some unused. for $1600 delivered.

2) Mimi Max 2004 MM16 lightly used (but dirty and with some rust), 16", 3.5HP, 14 1/2" resaw, euro guides, brake, ~500#, including a dirty carbide 1" Trimaster blade and several carbon blades, some unused. $1750 delivered.

These saws are as big as I can get into my small shop (otherwise I would get the 19" new 3HP Grizzly).

I am favoring the used MM16 due to the extra HP and extra steel. It and the Laguna are both very well built andboth run very smooth, but I think the MM16 with easily replaceable tires (not glued like Laguna), more HP, separate opening doors with micro switches, better working foot brake, 10% bigger table, and easily adjustable guides are best for me.

Too bad the prices are not better, but the both sellers of the used saws are firm at this point. Paying more for a 8 year old saw than a new one is hard to accept. But the market is what it is. Am I crazy?

Be sure to check out all the used machinery sites, IRS Auctions, etc... you should be able to score a good deal on a nice bandsaw. I have a minimax mm20" and it is a nice saw.

Offer both 25 to 30% under the asking price and see which one bites. I would rather have either one of these saws over the Grizz. Some people really swear by the ceramic guides. I have them one one of my saws and the euro guides on another. I find the euro guides much easier to adjust. I feel a little better about running a heavy blade with them as they are not so expensive to replace.

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Hey guys fill me in , where do you find these big bandsaws used ?? I am also seriously looking for either a laguna or MM. thanks

As my post said, I have watched Craigslist for a full year. Far and few between means these are the first ones I've seen on Craigslist. I only looked locally since shipping is prohibitive, and even a challenge locally.

I bought the Mini Max MM16. It was not a great deal, but much cheaper than new; and the new ones are a little bigger than I wanted for my small shop.

Put this into a Google search: MiniMax bandsaw site:craigslist.org

You will see most of the saws for sale across all Craigslist.

Yo ed I was in spgfld on sat checkin out griz bandsaws , your better off IMHO with laguna or minimax , I was not impressed with the frame on the 19in griz or electrics /motor. Thanks for the tip, abt the BS mark