Laguna 14bx vs Harvey c14 bandsaws?

[carpdiem]

Hi all!

I'm looking to pick up a nice bandsaw for my home shop, and I think I've narrowed it down to the Laguna 14bx or the Harvey c14.

But between them, I'm pretty torn.

Do y'all have any advice / opinions? (I'd also be interested if you had strong recommendations for a different bandsaw in the same category...)

So far, here's where my thinking is at:

Laguna 14bx

Pros:

• Better brake (disc brake)
• Maybe better guides? (ceramic guides)
• better (taller) fence
• Slightly cheaper
• Made in Taiwan

Cons:

• welded construction => slightly lighter
• finicky guide setting mechanism, with lower guides hard to access (I've seen a few youtube videos complaining about this

Harvey c14

Pros:

• better guide setting mechanism (toolless)
• slightly larger resaw capacity (14" vs 12")
• one-piece construction (slightly heavier)
• piston-assisted table tilt mechanism
• slightly more powerful (3hp vs 2.5hp for the laguna)

Cons:

• shorter fence
• less good brake system?
• made in China

I'm a hobbyist, and this will be my first personally-owned bandsaw. I know there are cheaper entry-level options, but I'm hoping the extra price on these buys convenience (I don't do woodworking for a living, but I am super busy generally, so no-nonsense, efficient-to-use tools are table stakes for getting any projects done. Ever.)

All that in mind, I'm really not sure how to weight the comparison. Reviewers I've found online seem to like the ceramic guides on the Laguna, but describe the setup mechanism (especially on the lower guide) as a PITA. On the other hand, the Harvey uses bearings, but has a toolless setup mechanism. Likewise, a nicer brake system on the Laguna, and a better fence, but reportedly a worse guide rail and no piston assist on the table. A little more hp and resaw capacity on the Harvey (actually useful for me, since I like doing stuff with live edge slabs). And of course, the Laguna is made in Taiwan vs China for the Harvey (I think this gives a slight nod to the Laguna).

So, what do y'all think? Any thoughts or advice?

 

[DynaGlide]

Harvey. You can always change the fence but you can't change access to the lower adjuster. Assuming you have 240v.

 

[DavidCBaker]

I have had a big old Felder 620? that I just love to death. Solid and it'll pass along to my kids. But I wanted a smaller one that I could leave a thinner blade on, so I bought the 14bx. It looks awesome and it's "okay" but a few of the nice features (color, design, light, blade engagement, brake) sort of mask the fact that it's not as solid as I'd like. Or maybe I'm expecting too much from it. Not as impressed as I thought I'd be.

 

[Peter Kelly]

There nothing on the pre-owned market near you? $2k can buy a lot of machine.

 

[Steve1]

slightly more powerful (3hp vs 2.5hp for the laguna)[/list]

I often take tool manufacturer's HP ratings with a grain a salt (shall we talk 110V shop vacs?), but the Harvey motor is rated at 12.8 amps, the Laguna at 9.8 Amps.  That's more than a slight difference.

Having said that, I think I would much struggle to load up a saw to exceed either of those two motors.

 

[smorgasbord]

I don't know about either saw, but resawing thick hardwoods, especially exotics, can be a be load on motors.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

• slightly more powerful (3hp vs 2.5hp for the laguna)

I often take tool manufacturer's HP ratings with a grain a salt (shall we talk 110V shop vacs?), but the Harvey motor is rated at 12.8 amps, the Laguna at 9.8 Amps.  That's more than a slight difference.

Having said that, I think I would much struggle to load up a saw to exceed either of those two motors.

Yeah, it's all a big fat lie. None of those ratings are even close to accurate.
You can't draw more than 2400 watts from a 120v/20 amp outlet. That gets you 3HP. A whole lot of people are using typical household 15 amp, anyway. Plus, that's for the entire circuit, so if something else is on there? You might spike a bit more for a second, but the breaker wouldn't allow it for very long.
Shop vacs are the worst for this. You can't really increase the load by using it, like a router or saw, so the only spike would be the startup to get the fan moving, continuous load would be far less.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Other cons for Laguna:

- their customer support
- that they'll retire a model and good luck getting parts
- did I mention their customer support?

 

[ChuckM]

Not sure why made in xxx per se is a pro or a con at all in this world of global trade. I agree that customer service or the lack of it is a top consideration. Even the finest and best manufactured piece of equipment can fail, and customer service is what you'll need if that happens.

 

[derekcohen]

I was under the impression that Harvey made the Laguna table saws?

Harvey is a major manufacturer of quality equipment. They probably make many of the machines for other names, but they are set up to build with the best, and their own brand is well revered.

That said, I have no knowledge of either bandsaw.

I do have a Hammer N4400. It does not have ceramic guides. Every time I consider "upgrading" I ask myself "why .. how will it improve the great resaw I get?".

The Hammer has 4 hp. More hp is better.

The Hammer has a 12" resaw. A little more would be nice, but for 1% of the time. How often does one resaw greater than 12"?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Adamsse]

I am a hobbyist who spends much of her time in the woodshop/garage.  I’ve have had the Laguna 14bx for several years.  Absolutely love it and the solid braking system.  I had to call customer service on a question last year.  I had a quick and accurate response by phone followed up by email.  For the lower guide adjustments, I just sit on a short stool to comfortably look up and use a headlamp.  I’ve not had any difficulties making the adjustments when I change the blade.  I’m very happy with the resaw results.  I have also been happy with the optional mobile base.