Help: Can't Decide on New Bandsaw

rjboch

rjboch

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Jun 21, 2019
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114
Longtime since I last posted. Need some help because I am stuck on deciding which bandsaw to purchase. Considering between the Laguna 14/12 and Laguna 14BX 220v models. Currently 10% Black Friday discount. Will mostly be used for re-sawing. Stopped by Rockler today and checked both out (surprised they had in store). They both look good and I could think of many pro's/con's for each. Store staff were a bunch of young kids and did not know much about the tools. Need some help.

Appreciate the push in a direction or other constructive recommendations. BTW - please do not suggest used...nothing but over priced garbage listed in my area (SoCal).

Cheers!
 
I'm actually in the same boat. I currently have a 10" one similar to the Harbor Freight stuff you guys have, and it's woefully inadequate for resawing which is my main use.

I did look at the 14BX, but decided the 18BX would be the far better long term option, so I'm now currently deciding between the 18BX and the slightly smaller but slightly better quality Harvey HW615Pro.

If sticking to the 14, I'd say get the BX model for sure for the more sturdier frame and construction, and the more powerful motor which you'd definitely need!

I don't regret getting the bandsaw I currently have, but had I realised how much I would use it, and what for, I definitely would have held out for a better model. Buy once, cry once.
 
One of the woodworkers I know, utterly HATED the Laguna 14/12. I mean he REALLY HATED IT. He made quite a number of videos on why he hated it. And you can hear for yourself why:

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I don't know much about the 14/12 but Albert does good work and knows his stuff. He ended up lobbying Harvey for an Alpha A-15, which is the saw I would like - if I had $6000 to spend on a bandsaw (I don't have as many followers on IG).

But another woodworker I know and respect does have the 14bx and really likes his. With the larger frame and 2.5hp 220v motor, I would go with the 14bx over the 14/12 (I have what is, essentially, an older Laguna LT14SE).
 
What is the price, and is the Hammer range (from Felder) available to you? I have had the Hammer N4400 for a over a dozen years now, and it has been utterly reliable, powerful (4 hp), and able to tension a 1" carbide blade. Just a solid, no-nonsense bandsaw.

Regards from Perth

Derek
 
derekcohen said:
What is the price, and is the Hammer range (from Felder) available to you? I have had the Hammer N4400 for a over a dozen years now, and it has been utterly reliable, powerful (4 hp), and able to tension a 1" carbide blade. Just a solid, no-nonsense bandsaw.

Regards from Perth

Derek
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The 14BX (220v) is on sale for $1,799 + $200 shipping fee (USD) and the 14/12 is $1,439 + $150 shipping fee (USD). Appreciate the response!
 
I would buy the biggest used saw I could find and would fit in my workshop. The BS is a simple device, bearings and tyres are about all that goes wrong with them and the new BS prices are simply crazy. The only reason I bought my Minimax new was I was offered a once only price on it before it arrived in Oz so I took a gamble on it being a good thing.
 
luvmytoolz said:
I'm actually in the same boat. I currently have a 10" one similar to the Harbor Freight stuff you guys have, and it's woefully inadequate for resawing which is my main use.

I did look at the 14BX, but decided the 18BX would be the far better long term option, so I'm now currently deciding between the 18BX and the slightly smaller but slightly better quality Harvey HW615Pro.

If sticking to the 14, I'd say get the BX model for sure for the more sturdier frame and construction, and the more powerful motor which you'd definitely need!

I don't regret getting the bandsaw I currently have, but had I realised how much I would use it, and what for, I definitely would have held out for a better model. Buy once, cry once.
Click to expand...
thanks for your reply!
 
Mini Me said:
I would buy the biggest used saw I could find and would fit in my workshop. The BS is a simple device, bearings and tyres are about all that goes wrong with them and the new BS prices are simply crazy. The only reason I bought my Minimax new was I was offered a once only price on it before it arrived in Oz so I took a gamble on it being a good thing.
Click to expand...
You know, I'm inclined to agree with you. But, I got a first generation, 1930s Delta 14" cast iron bandsaw earlier this year and turns out the original price, fully kitted out, was around $75. I was curious and did a search on what $75 in 1934 is equivalent to in today's money. Turns out it's about $1400.
 
onocoffee said:
You know, I'm inclined to agree with you. But, I got a first generation, 1930s Delta 14" cast iron bandsaw earlier this year and turns out the original price, fully kitted out, was around $75. I was curious and did a search on what $75 in 1934 is equivalent to in today's money. Turns out it's about $1400.
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That would have been insanely expensive back then, considering the average house price was $4800 or so. If I multiply that ratio by the current cost of the 18BX, then the bandsaw is effectively half the cost of what it was in 1934 given the current median house price.
 
Get the biggest, strongest frame bandsaw you can afford that fits under your ceiling.

Bigger saws don’t take up significantly more floor space and there will come a time when you’ll want that depth of cut.

Motors, fences, and guides can be upgraded later. The size and frame rigidity are fixed forever.
 
You mention being in SoCal... I highly Highly recommend going to Eagle Tools in LA. They have a dazzling variety of bandsaws including refurbished. Maybe you'll find a better deal there. And talk to the staff... they know every bit and piece of those saws. Personally, I was tempted to get an Incra bandsaw for some non-resawing operations, but that's another story.

Point is, you'd learn a lot there and maybe find a better deal.

Also, isn't Laguna in Irvine? You could likely save the shipping cost to pick it up unless you have, say, a tiny car.
 
Oh, I should add: I have the Laguna "Italian-Made" bandsaw and love it. It is an Italian ACM saw and is just 🤌 but remember that it is just relabeled Laguna. Given my past conversations with their sales, support, and sharpening service, I won't buy another Laguna.
 
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Seems like the 14BX has a brake, not seeing that on 14/12 specs -- that is worth something. It really takes a while for the blade to stop otherwise. I don't see much difference in the specs otherwise.
If used mainly for re-sawing, your next purchase should be a carbide tipped resaw blade. When I bought my Rikon 10-326 the stock blade cut beautifully when new, but I didn't even get through my first project with it before the blade got dull and was wandering all over the place.
 
smorgasbord said:
Get the biggest, strongest frame bandsaw you can afford that fits under your ceiling.

Bigger saws don’t take up significantly more floor space and there will come a time when you’ll want that depth of cut.
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I fully agree with this. Go for the sturdiest and largest machine you can afford and get in your workshop.

When I finally upgraded to a large bandsaw I first thought of a Hammer. As Derek wrote these are solid reliable bandsaws. But in the end I went for a Felder FB 610. Sometimes I even wish I could have bought the FB 710, but my ceiling is too low for that beast.

Nothing wrong with Hammer (although I personally would not go for their new "yellow" series), but the extra width and power of the FB 610 has come in quite handy more than once. Not sure how Hammer or Felder compare to Laguna when it comes to quality and price though.
 
rjboch said:
Longtime since I last posted. Need some help because I am stuck on deciding which bandsaw to purchase. Considering between the Laguna 14/12 and Laguna 14BX 220v models. Currently 10% Black Friday discount. Will mostly be used for re-sawing. Stopped by Rockler today and checked both out (surprised they had in store). They both look good and I could think of many pro's/con's for each. Store staff were a bunch of young kids and did not know much about the tools. Need some help.

Appreciate the push in a direction or other constructive recommendations. BTW - please do not suggest used...nothing but over priced garbage listed in my area (SoCal).

Cheers!
Click to expand...
losangeles.craigslist.org

Laguna 1412 Band Saw - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

Laguna 1412 Band Saw. Very lightly used. Works great. Comes with one re-saw blade and one general purpose blade.
losangeles.craigslist.org losangeles.craigslist.org
 
Just one more input.....the saws in the sub $2K space US, like the Rikon, Laguna and Jet have all adopted the folded and welded box frame design of the older Italian bandsaws. They are plenty rigid for blades up to 3/4" in width. Their limits are in throat depth, resaw depth and ease of adjusting bearings for "industrial" use IMO. For the hobbyist market, these saws are adequate IMO. I used to have a Minimax 16" which was overkill for my usage model but boy was it superior in actual use to my current 14" saw. I could reliably saw off 1/16" veneer on that saw and adjusting the upper and lower guide bearings was simple.
For the Laguna bandsaws, they come with ceramic guides and those are kind of hard to adjust IMO, plus they can spark and prematurely wear out your blades. I'd say if you go with the Laguna, I'd probably replace the ceramic guides with some of the roller bearing guides from Carter, if in the US. As always, this is just the opinion of a hobbyist so put that in your weighting system.....
 
All, Thanks so much for the input. This site and its contributors continue to offer incredible insight and opinion. Bigger tool purchases always results in analysis paralysis, but I ended up just going with my gut and ordered the 14BX 220v along with the 3/4" re-saw king blade. Appreciate everyone's comments and grateful for your support over the years (with many repeat commenters.
 
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