Laguna Tools

[ForumMFG]

We all know that Laguna Tool makes a good band saw.  I went on their website and was surprised to see that they also make table saws, drill presses, planers, dust collectors and much more.  I'm in the market for a Drill Press, Planner, and dust collector and they offer these items at reasonable prices.  Can anyone shed some light on the quality of these Laguna products?  As I said before, we know they make good band saws but I don't know about their other products.

Also, they made a "radial" drill press and a regular drill press.  Can anyone tell me what the difference between those 2 types are?

Thanks.

-Dave

 

[sw1211]

I believe the radial means the head (vs. tilting the table) can rotate/tilt to allow you to drill at just about any angle.

You didn't specifically ask about their service but thought you might like to know it's highly regarded too, at least by this person,  http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=5567

There are quite a few other posts on SawmillCreek regarding Laguna that might offer more info.

 

[joraft]

We all know that Laguna Tool makes a good band saw.  I went on their website and was surprised to see that they also make table saws, drill presses, planers, dust collectors and much more.  I'm in the market for a Drill Press, Planer, and dust collector and they offer these items at reasonable prices.  Can anyone shed some light on the quality of these Laguna products?  As I said before, we know they make good band saws but I don't know about their other products.

Also, they made a "radial" drill press and a regular drill press.  Can anyone tell me what the difference between those 2 types are?

It's important to note that Laguna doesn't "make" anything, they have all their machines made by others and put their label on them.

The quality of what you get will vary by who the manufacturer of the machine may be, and that is subject to change. Lately, more of their stuff is made in China to keep their prices competitive. Be sure to ask about who manufactures any machine you may be interested in.

By the way, I own several Laguna products and have been happy with all of them, including a 5hp dust collector made in Taiwan.  

 

[ForumMFG]

John,

what do you own..

Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?

 

[slb]

John,

what do you own..

Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?

No, they are an importer based in California.  Their founder is a Scandanavian, Torben Helsoj (spelling?).  For a long time most of their machines were made in Italy by Meber (relabeled from identical machines sold in Europe as Meber).  Now, as others have noted, they have branched out and are selling machines made in a variety of other countries.

I have a Laguna 16SEC band saw and was very disappointed to discover that since Laguna no longer imports this (Meber-made) machine, they also no longer stock any parts for it.  Fortunately the things I need are minor and I can work around (e.g. a throat plate), but since Meber has no other US importers that I can find, I am SOL.

Steve

Steve

 

[joraft]

Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?

Laguna Tools is an equipment dealer/distributor located in Southern California, they are an American company.

Some of their machines are produced by Italian companies, others are produced elsewhere (they are also a Festool dealer).

That's why I recommended that you ask them who manufactures any particular piece of equipment you are interested in.

The only "machine" I currently own from Laguna is the dust collector I mentioned, the rest are accessories, such as the Driftmaster bandsaw fence. Their Resaw King bandsaw blades are excellent, and those are custom made for them in Germany.

Their Signature Series wide belt sanders are made by EMC (a top company) in Italy, but their Industrial Series wide belt sanders are made in China. I came close to buying a Signature Series from them, but at the last minute switched to a Felder (also made by EMC) because of different options that were offered.

 

[Neill]

Dave & John,

I have been thinking about this whole made in China business because I am really planning to buy a Lagnua bandsaw next spring, after tax season (I am a full-time accountant).

There is hardly anything that I have bought lately that is not made made somewhere else.  Even when you think you are buying American, you are only buying an American name and not the product.  My Levi Dockers trousers are made in Thailand, Honduras and Malaysia.  Same for my Ralph Lauren shirts and trousers.  Buy an American car and many of the components are made overseas.  Look at McFeely's catalog and you will find most products are made in China.  Let's face it, we really do have a global economy.  We cannot be isolationists.

My question is, if the equipment is made to the same specifications and held to the same quality control standards, what difference is it where it is made?  I think the problems occur when these standards are not upheld or the Company relaxes its own requirements in an effort to save costs.  This is not a made in China issue.  This is an attempt on the part of the manufacturer to remain price competitive.  If Company A does it then Company B must follow suit in order to stay in business.

I'd be interested in your thoughts...

Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

The biggest problem for me?  My grandfather lost his job because his company could not compete with a company in china quoting the same product.  A large factory in Columbus just went under for the same reason.  People are losing so many jobs because of "China this and China that".  The economy we are in now, if we produced most of the stuff we engineer, more people would have jobs.  It's just unreal.  I don't care about what anyone says, country's like China, Thailand, Honduras and Malaysia do not produce the best products even if they are engineered the same or whatever.  I bet if you put a Festool made by Germans next to a Festool made in China (for example) you wouldn't see the difference but you would see it later on down the road.  This is just my opinion based on experience in the past and thats how I've come up with my opinion. 

 

[Tom Ryan]

Another big problem for me is that some countries (including China) do not have laws that protect the workers as well as American laws (not that they're perfect).  The tool you buy from China could be made by child labor, forced labor, or other exploited workers.

Tom

 

[Neill]

Another big problem for me is that some countries (including China) do not have laws that protect the workers as well as American laws (not that they're perfect).  The tool you buy from China could be made by child labor, forced labor, or other exploited workers.

Tom

Tom,

You are absolutely right.    People say they care, but do they really?  Do most people really care about child labor and abused labor when all they really seem to be interested in is the best price.

Hope we are not getting off topic here.

Neill

 

[Neill]

The biggest problem for me?  My grandfather lost his job because his company could not compete with a company in china quoting the same product.  A large factory in Columbus just went under for the same reason.  People are losing so many jobs because of "China this and China that".  The economy we are in now, if we produced most of the stuff we engineer, more people would have jobs.  It's just unreal.  I don't care about what anyone says, country's like China, Thailand, Honduras and Malaysia do not produce the best products even if they are engineered the same or whatever.  I bet if you put a Festool made by Germans next to a Festool made in China (for example) you wouldn't see the difference but you would see it later on down the road.  This is just my opinion based on experience in the past and thats how I've come up with my opinion. 

Dave,

This post would seem to be diametrically opposed to your earlier post in this thread where you state that it really doesn't make any difference to you where it is made?

You are correct about Festool, but some manufacturers don't care as much.  I bet if Festool did manufacture in China and cut the price in half or less, they would sell a whole lot more.  Even most buyers don't care as long as the price is right.  Why does DeWalt, Porter Cable, etc. outsell Festool in the USA?  Certainly not because they are better.

Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

Neill,

Why don't you quote me on that so I can see where I said that.

 

[joraft]

My question is, if the equipment is made to the same specifications and held to the same quality control standards, what difference is it where it is made?  I think the problems occur when these standards are not upheld or the Company relaxes its own requirements in an effort to save costs.  This is not a made in China issue.  This is an attempt on the part of the manufacturer to remain price competitive.  If Company A does it then Company B must follow suit in order to stay in business.

I'd be interested in your thoughts...

Neill

Neill, of course you're right, if the quality control is there, it does not matter where a machine is made. But there's the rub, implementing good quality control in a foreign country can be difficult and expensive. And also it makes a big difference whether a company is running their own plant in another country, or just purchasing from a foreign manufacturer. Quality control is much more difficult when you don't own the company.

For example, My MacbookPro is made in China, and the quality, fit and finish are absolutely superb. But then, Apple has total control of every facet the manfacturing process.

On the other end of the scale is probably Harbor Freight, who imports products from China made by numerous independent manufacturers. The price at which they can sell their stuff may be amazing, but one also need not look very close to see that the over all quality of most of it is simply appalling.

What I'm saying is that before buying anything these days we must do more homework than ever before. And don't count on distributors to always be forthcoming about where their products are made, or by who.

The common belief today is that the best bandsaws are built in Italy. Most companies selling bandsaws in the U.S. have them made in Italy and brand them as their own (including Felder). Of course that doesn't mean that all Italian companies make good machines, but I think they're certainly a better bet than any made in China. My own bandsaw happens to be an Agazzani, made in Italy and sold in the U.S. only under their own name. I think the quality is second to none. I believe that Laguna's bandsaws are still made in Italy, although they MAY have changed manufacturers. As I said, before buying any machine take a hard look and ask a lot of questions.

 

[Neill]

John,

what do you own..

Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?

Dave, here ya go!

Neill

 

[Neill]

John,

In looking at their 14" offerings, and in speaking to the Laguna rep, he stated that some are made in China while others are made in Europe.  He was not specific as to what country in Europe.  Maybe they are being made at the old Yugo plant.

Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

Neill,

Am I missing something here?  

"Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?"

I'm not following you.

I can't find anywhere in that sentence that states it doesn't make any difference where a product is made?  Unless I'm blind or 60 years old, I can't see it.

-Dave

 

[johnsonri]

Knowing they make some of their products in China and other country's like that really doesn't interest me.  Aren't they an Italian company?

Dave,

When you first wrote that, like Neill, I thought you meant that it made no difference to you where a tool was made. I understand your point now.

Rey

 

[ForumMFG]

Well then he should of asked what I meant and not assumed.

 

[joraft]

...  Unless I'm blind or 60 years old, I can't see it.

Hey, watch what you say about the 60s crowd. We may be geezers, but we can still get pretty feisty when provoked. 

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Sort of reminds me of the Amish...  Even down here in NC they advertise stuff as Amish made....like every Amishman is a natural born cabinet and furniture craftsman. 

Even the new Unisaw is assembled from parts made in the USA and other countries....sounds like GM...

Best,
Todd