Description
The Minimax S 45N is 444 lbs of cast iron on a 20-amp, 230V circuit — purpose-built for curves, furniture parts, and general-purpose bandsaw work. It has been in continuous production for over 30 years.
At a Glance:
- 18″ (450mm) cast iron flywheels on a 20-amp, 230V single-phase circuit — no dedicated high-amperage run required
- 12″ (305mm) resaw height handles furniture parts, chair components, curved stock, and narrow boards cleanly
- Roller bearing guides, upper and lower — well-proven for small to medium blade widths
- Accepts blades from 1/16″ to 1″ — fine marquetry work through full-width resaw
- Integrated retractable mobility kit: pull the lever, roll the saw, set it back down — nothing to store separately
- 23.5″ x 20.5″ cast iron table with 0° to 45° tilt
- 444 lbs (201 kg) — genuine shop mass on a standard 20-amp circuit
- Miter gauge included standard
The Details:
The S 45N is built for woodworkers who spend more time on curves, patterns, and furniture components than on wide slab resaw. The 12″ resaw height handles the overwhelming majority of furniture parts — chair legs, aprons, drawer fronts, curved components — and handles them well. If your primary use is resawing boards wider than 10 to 12″, a machine with more resaw capacity is the better fit.
Roller Bearing Guides: The S 45N uses roller bearing guides, upper and lower. These are well-proven guides with a long track record in professional shops and work across the full blade width range this machine accepts — from fine 1/16″ detail blades through 1″ resaw blades.
Blade Range: The 1/16″ minimum blade width means this machine handles fine inlay and marquetry cuts through 1″ resaw blades in a single setup. For very narrow blades, proper guide setup is critical to prevent lateral wander.
Integrated Mobility Kit: The S 45N’s mobility kit is built into the machine base and retracts when not in use. The saw sits flat and stable on the floor until you need to move it — pull the lever at the base, the saw tips back onto its rear wheels. Nothing to store separately, nothing to bolt on. In a compact shop where the saw moves regularly, this matters.
Cast Iron Table: The 23.5″ x 20.5″ table is cast iron, flat, and tilts from 0° to 45°. The surface area is proportionally generous for the flywheel size, which pays off on longer curved cuts where the workpiece needs support through the full arc.
20-Amp Circuit: The S 45N runs on a standard 20-amp, 230V circuit. No dedicated 30-amp run required. If your shop has a standard 230V outlet available, this machine runs on it.
Optional Accessories:
- MK Morse QuikSilver HB Hook, 1″ x 1.3 TPI, 146″ — primary resaw blade recommendation for this machine
- MK Morse QuikSilver HEF Raker, 3/8″ x 6 TPI, 146″ — for curved and contour work; most customers benefit from both a resaw blade and a curve blade
- MK Morse FB+, 1″ x 3 TPI, 146″ — carbide-tipped for serious hardwood resaw; de-tensioning between sessions is recommended
- MK Morse FBS, 1/2″ or 3/4″ x 3 TPI, 146″ — carbide for demanding curved work in hard or exotic species
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the S 45N compare to the SCM Formula S 440P?
These machines serve different shops. The S 45N runs on a 20-amp circuit, uses roller bearing guides, and is built for curves, furniture parts, and general-purpose cutting within a 12″ resaw height. The S 440P draws 30 amps, uses Euro-style guides, and delivers 17.3″ of resaw height at 4.8 HP. The S 45N has one practical advantage the S 440P does not match: the integrated retractable mobility kit is built into the base with nothing to store separately. If your circuit is 20-amp and your work stays within the resaw limits, the S 45N handles it on its own terms.
Can I run a 1″ carbide blade on this machine?
Yes. The S 45N accepts blades up to 1″ wide and the 1″ MK Morse FB+ carbide blade runs on this machine. De-tensioning the blade between sessions is recommended to reduce weld fatigue. For production-level hardwood resaw with a 1″ carbide blade, the larger flywheel diameters on the Formula S-series provide more margin. For hobbyist use on the S 45N, the FB+ performs well.
What does 1/16″ minimum blade width mean in practice?
Very fine curved work — marquetry, inlay, and tight-radius pattern cuts. This capability meaningfully expands the machine’s range for woodworkers doing detailed decorative work where a standard bandsaw would require a separate dedicated machine. At very narrow blade widths, proper guide setup is essential for adequate lateral support.
How does the integrated mobility kit work?
The wheels retract into the machine base when not in use, so the saw sits flat and stable on the floor. Pull the lever at the base and the saw tips back slightly onto its rear wheels for repositioning. Nothing to bolt on before moving and nothing to store separately when the saw is in use.
Is this a good machine for someone new to bandsaws?
It is a legitimate shop-grade machine, not a learning tool. The S 45N has been in the Minimax lineup for over 30 years, is built to the same Italian manufacturing standards as the Formula S-series, and handles the full range of general-purpose bandsaw work competently. If your work is primarily curves, furniture parts, and general cutting within the 12″ resaw limit, it is a machine you will not need to replace.
Is the Minimax S 45N eligible for a Section 179 tax deduction?
Yes. The Minimax S 45N qualifies as a capital equipment purchase under Section 179, which allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service rather than depreciating it over several years. For a machine at this price point, that deduction can meaningfully offset the net cost of purchase. The deduction limit and phase-out thresholds adjust annually, so the exact benefit depends on your total equipment purchases for the year and your tax situation. Consult your tax advisor on how Section 179 applies to your business. See how much you could save with our Section 179 calculator.
Features
- Motor: 2.5 HP, single-phase, 230V — 20-amp circuit
- Cast iron flywheels: 18″ (450mm) diameter, dynamically balanced
- Resaw height: 12″ (305mm)
- Cutting width: 17.25″ (438mm)
- Cast iron table: 23.5″ x 20.5″, tilts 0° to 45°
- Blade guides: Roller bearing, upper and lower
- Blade width range: 1/16″ minimum to 1″ maximum
- Blade length: 146″
- Dust port: 1x 120mm (4.7″)
- Integrated retractable mobility kit
- Miter gauge included
- Net weight: 444 lbs (201 kg)
- Made in Italy
Specs
Motor:2.5 HP, single-phase, 230V
Circuit Required:20-amp
Flywheel Diameter:18″ (450mm)
Resaw Height:12″ (305mm)
Cutting Width:17.25″ (438mm)
Table Size:23.5″ x 20.5″
Table Material:Cast iron
Table Tilt:0° to 45°
Blade Guides:Roller bearing, upper and lower
Blade Width Range:1/16″ min – 1″ max
Blade Length:146″
Dust Port:1x 120mm (4.7″)
Net Weight:444 lbs (201 kg)
Origin:Italy
Includes
- Miter gauge
- Integrated retractable mobility kit
Warranty
SCM warrants every machine free of defects in workmanship and materials for one (1) year from the date of customer acceptance. Belts, bearings, and common electrical parts carry a six-month warranty. Wearable items and components requiring maintenance in ordinary operation are excluded.
Shipping
Please note:Items being shipped to extremely remote areas or areas with limited delivery access (such as islands only accessible by ferry) may incur additional shipping or freight fees. If your order requires any additional fees other than what is already included in the price, you will be contacted before those fees are applied and before your item ships. This is rare and will not apply to most orders.
*Machinery Availability Key
Availability statuses found above the product description reflect where a machine is in the supply chain at the time of listing. Use the key below to help determine the lead time for this machine.
In stock for immediate shipment: The machine is in OakTree Supply’s warehouse and is ready to ship.
In stock as of [date] / Low stock as of [date]: The machine is in the manufacturer’s U.S. warehouse and was available as of the last update we received. Estimated to ship in 3-5 business days. If low stock, please call us before ordering to confirm current availability.
Estimated to ship [date]: The machine is not yet in our warehouse or the manufacturer’s warehouse. The date shown is an estimate based on current production and shipping timelines and may change due to manufacturing schedules, import processing, or freight transit.
Dates listed as “estimated” are not guaranteed and may change.
SKU: S45N
