Bandsaw

[Drich]

Hello all

I'm going to buy another bandsaw here in a few weeks and was comparing the Powermatic PM1500 and the Laguna SUV 14. I had a jet 14 years ago and did not much care for it.  I read all the Amazon reviews and the both have bad and good. So it could go either way. It did seem like lots of people complain about Laguna costumer service. The Laguna has the porcelain guides and Powermatic has the rollers. Did watch some you tube videos on both. It looks like the Laguna looks easy to adjust.  Going to be buying a lathe also and will be using the saw for prep work for turning not tons of resawing.

Thanks

 

[leakyroof]

If you aren't going to use the full Resaw capacity of the saw, then maybe just go with the cheaper unit since it sounds like you're doing 'grunt' work for Lathe prep and not highly accurate Veneer cutting?.  If you don't change your blade often, then guide adjustment isn't as critical as it would be for someone swapping out different blade widths often in their work. Yes, no?  Your thoughts...

 

[Drich]

Went to woodcraft today to watch a pen turning demo. Also checked out the Laguna saw and it was nice but just seemed a little small to me.. I felt the table could of been taller and the extra weight of the powermatic will be nice to have. Pretty sure I'm going to go gold.

 

[rljatl]

I heard the SUV was being discontinued. 

What about the Laguna 14bx Bandsaw 220V 2.5 HP?  It has some new, well thought out features and I have read good things about it.

 

[leakyroof]

Went to woodcraft today to watch a pen turning demo. Also checked out the Laguna saw and it was nice but just seemed a little small to me.. I felt the table could of been taller and the extra weight of the powermatic will be nice to have. Pretty sure I'm going to go gold.

. I'm more confused now... [huh]
What exactly are you looking for in a Bandsaw?
More than a 1 1/2HP motor, bigger table with larger trunnions?
Another question, how large of a Lathe are you planning on getting?
Whatever you end up with, take a picture or two,... or it never happened ... [wink]

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I recently just bought the Laguna BX14 2.5 hp from Woodcraft.  It is an amazing bandsaw.  It has plenty of power and the foot brake works great.  I have done a lot of resawing with it since I bought it and never felt it didn't have enough power. If anything it has too much power in some situations.  Never had any issues with the tables size and the ceramic guides are very easy to work with and make changing the blade easy.  I can do a complete blade change less then 10 minutes. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I rough out large (18" by 18") blocks of mesquite before turning natural edge bowls. I used to do this with a chain saw, but the darn thing always scared me. I bought a large bandsaw and it's perfect for this task. Since I had the capability, I started doing resawing. Mine is a Delta, but I'd buy a Powermatic if I was to buy one now.

 

[TomGadwa1]

I have a Laguna 14 SUV! It is a great machine. Accurate and powerful!

 

[leakyroof]

Went to woodcraft today to watch a pen turning demo. Also checked out the Laguna saw and it was nice but just seemed a little small to me.. I felt the table could of been taller and the extra weight of the powermatic will be nice to have. Pretty sure I'm going to go gold.

. I read over the specs and features of the PM 1500 this morning . Looks like a nice Bandsaw. I'm going to study the electrical disconnect feature that they tied to the Blade Tensioner Release to see if I can modify my Rikon to do this.

 

[Drich]

Thanks to all that replied.  After watch a few YouTube videos I going with the power matic. Just need to stop in woodcraft and get it on order.. I will post pictures when I get it set up. Won't be for a bit as the sale starts on the first.