Advice on a new bandsaw for a small professional shop

[Taconick]

Hello all, I am in the market for a new bandsaw for my shop. I am going to AWFS to look at everything, but I wanted some advice/opinions. I will be using the saw for resawing and some scroll cutting. I have been looking at the Mini-Max 16, the Laguna Italian made 18" and the Hammer N4400. Just yesterday I saw the Powermatic PM1500 for the first time and was impressed. I like the PM1800 but is a little out of the price range. The thing I am most worried about is service. The Powermatic seems like it would be the easiest to get serviced, but the others may never need much service. So what are your opinions/ experiences that would be helpful? I should also add that we just sold our Jet 14" with riser, upgraded motor, carter guides, and Kreg resaw fence, we had just outgrown it.

Thanks,

Nick Christensen

 

[Mauri Motti]

Welcome Nick!

I myself am saving up for a new saw made by Felder. It is somewhat comparable to the Hammer but is more versatile. Check the specs yourself. One mayor advantage I think is that it has two dust extraction ports, tiltble table, good resawing height etc. I can not comment on the Laguna or the Powermatic. I think Powermatic is sold in Europe branded as Jet tools. The Minimax may be a reasonably decent machine too but before I purchsed my (felder) table saw/ spindle moulder and surface/ thickness planer I looked at Minimax machines (made by SMC in Italy) and felt more confident with Felder. This said, I personally know people who are very much satisfied with their Minimax equipment.

Felder USA

Kind regards,
Mauri

 

[Kev]

I've done a lot of research and will be (unless some new info bobs up) buying a 4400 Hammer when I organise my space. In all honestly it seems to me that space (and the cost of your space) is the biggest issue ... if I had the space I'd get a good 14 and a ~20+, but I need something versatile in-between.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have a 36" Oliver from 1922. 2600 pounds, runs like a singer sewing machine, eats whatever you shove through it and set me back 250 bucks.

It will cut a Felder in half.

 

[Kev]

I have a 36" Oliver from 1922. 2600 pounds, runs like a singer sewing machine, eats whatever you shove through it and set me back 250 bucks.

It will cut a Felder in half.

LoL accurately ?  [big grin]

 

[SittingElf]

I have been looking at the Mini-Max 16, the Laguna Italian made 18" and the Hammer N4400.

You mentioned resaw capability. There is a significant difference between the capacity of the 4400 and the Laguna LT18. The Laguna has a full 18" resaw height, while the Hammer is only 12" if I remember right.  Also, regardless of which you choose, you should consider Laguna's Ceramic Blade Guides, their Resaw King blades, and their Driftmaster Fence System..... all of which can be used and retrofitted to any large bandsaw. Really well made stuff.

Laguna clearly has the lead with its Italians for Resawing capacity. I am in the process of selling my Grizzly 19", and replacing with the Laguna Italian LT20", and also a Laguna (Taiwan)14X14 SUV that will live with very narrow blades on it for scroll/detail work.

Let us know what you end up choosing!