Is it any good and do I need it? Minimax SC 220

[colinc]

Hi,

I am slowly equipping my workshop, buying good machines and tools, usually as the need arises for particular projects.

However, I have been offered a small Minimax universal machine described to me as an SC220 - the 200 refers to the planer width I was told. The asking price is £600. I haven't been to look at it yet but I wondered if anyone knows anything of them? There seems to be some mixed opinions around.

I haven't been able to dig up anything on that model, I suspect because it's a few years old but if anyone knows anything I'd be interested to hear from them.

I'm not necessarily a fan of universal machines but space is always an issue and I thought I'd take a good look at it. I don't really need a planer as I already have an HMS 260 so am wondering if I should just be considering a good saw bench instead.

Any info/opinions are as usual, greatly apreciated.

thanks

Colin

 

[Scrit]

If memory serves me well (and in this case it might not) what you are talking about was either a MiniMax copy of the Zinken ZC21 or the successor to that machine (Zinken seemed to have disappeared sometime in the late 1980s/early 1990s and may have been taken over by either MiniMax or Samco, both part of SCM now). The reason I say that is that there was at that time another bigger machine called the C26 which seems to have "morphed" into the Minimax C26 Genius. What colour is your machine? Dark red, sand or two-tone green?

The machine you mention would be smaller than the C26 and have a fixed cast saw table taking a 200mm (?) blade and possibly have a very small sliding carraige to the left hand side. The full machine is a circular saw, planer/thicknesser (220 x 110mm capacity?), slot mortiser (optional) and a 30mm spindle moulder with a single speed (around 8,000 rpm). Overall the machine would be very square in shape with potentially lots of appendages. If complete it will have a slot mortiser at the side of the planer.

As this is an Italian machine, have you thought about posting a request for information over at the International Language (English Section) of the Legno forum?

Scrit

 

[colinc]

Thanks Scrit, you seem to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of woodworking machines.

I'll take a look this afternoon. I'm not sure if it's ideal for me. I already have a Scheppach planer, but the idea of a morticer/saw/spindle combo is attractive.

My feeling though is that I should really be looking for independant machines probably a good saw bench next. The money for this might be better put towards something like a kity saw.

regards

Colin

 

[Scrit]

Thanks Scrit, you seem to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of woodworking machines.

Sadly I've been playing with them for way too long - and having a sort of retentive..... retentive..... retentive..... #-o memory doesn't help :wink:

I'll take a look this afternoon.

I've not been able to find a photo of the Zinken, but if you have a digi camera and can post a camera I might be able to recognise it from that.

I'm not sure if it's ideal for me. I already have a Scheppach planer, but the idea of a morticer/saw/spindle combo is attractive.
My feeling though is that I should really be looking for independant machines probably a good saw bench next. The money for this might be better put towards something like a kity saw.

Independents are always going to be easier and more convenient to use - combis do push you into planning your machining operations much better (but if that's how your mind works you'll be OK) - but independents do require a lot more space. I'd say the fact that the combi has a spindle and possibly a slot mortiser is a big plus. Spindles are worth their weight - once you have a Euro block the cutters run out at as little as £12 or £13 a set (with limiters) and there are a large number (120 plus) of furniture profiles available at a fraction of the price of router cutters, although they aren't really suitable for use on MDF - just timber because they are tool steel or HSS.

Scrit

 

[colinc]

I took a look this afternoon. I have found a picture of the Zinken and there are substantial differences in the machines so it may not be that one. Unfortunately, despite walking around with Mr Sony's latest & greatest camera phone in my pocket I forgot to take a picture

It has a planer/thicknesser, 200 mm saw, 30mm spindle with euro block and a slot morticer. The machine is in excellent condition. It is very heavy with many substantial casings. The paint is maroon although some of the guards and fittings are yellow. There is a small cast iron sliding table that serves the saw and spindle. It has is a single motor which juts out on the saw side of the machine (opposite to the Zinken). The saw blade is only approx 3-4 inches from the edge of the bed.

The machine is incredibly well built and well looked after. The owner had various beds and covers off to clean it and we re-assembled it. It has clearly been looked after well.

I see pros and cons to buying it though. A big con is there is no provision anywhere for dust extraction, also the saw is fixed at 90 degrees.

I'll think on it for a while - the owner is no rush to sell. He's a lovely chap, a retired furniture restorer.

regards

Colin

 

[Scrit]

The paint is maroon although some of the guards and fittings are yellow.

SCM bought Minimax some time prior to 1978 (?) and the colour you generally see Minimax machines in is SCM sand (late 1970s to late 1980s) or SCM 2-tone green (mid 1980s to late 1990s). Zinken used maroon/dark red as their colour in the UK (at least the stuff I saw imported by Woodmen in Bicester was all that colour in the early 1980s) - hence my question about colour. Did you clock the maker's plate by any chance.

I see pros and cons to buying it though. A big con is there is no provision anywhere for dust extraction, also the saw is fixed at 90 degrees.

DX hoods aren't that difficult to make out of plywood or MDF, though. But as to the lack of a tilting saw, here's one for you, then: exactly what percentage of your work incorporates mitre-jointed boards? I ask that because I'm pretty sure the answer will probably be a very low percentage indeed, certainly if you make "classic" solid wood furniture - although if all you ever make is coopered biscuit barrels, maybe not! If you need to cut a mitre edge that can be done easily on the spindle moulder as opposed to the saw whilst longer chamfer edges can be worked on the overhand planer with the fence canted. More than one way to skin a cat.

Scrit

 

[colinc]

[But as to the lack of a tilting saw, here's one for you, then: exactly what percentage of your work incorporates mitre-jointed boards? I ask that because I'm pretty sure the answer will probably be a very low percentage indeed, certainly if you make "classic" solid wood furniture.

Scrit

That's what I've been thinking too whilst assembling some bookcases out back! I'll ponder it while I'm down the local!

cheers,

Colin