Laguna Tools

[joraft]

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...

Like I said, as we get further into a "global economy", it has become more and more a case of caveat emptor. Any time I'm in the market for a machine I get opinions from as many people as possible, I go with a brand name that I trust, or I personally go and look over a machine with a very careful eye. Like anybody else, I want to get the best price possible, but my primary concerns are always a products that performs well and will last a long time. So often, the most expensive machine will wind up costing far less in the long run.

When it came to considering Laguna machines, they were very gracious in letting me walk around their warehouse and look for as long as I wanted, as well as letting me run any machine they had set up. In some cases it resulted in me buying, and in some cases not. But they never tried to hide anything.

 

[Neill]

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...

Like I said, as we get further into a "global economy", it has become more and more a case of caveat emptor. Any time I'm in the market for a machine I get opinions from as many people as possible, I go with a brand name that I trust, or I personally go and look over a machine with a very careful eye. Like anybody else, I want to get the best price possible, but my primary concerns are always a products that performs well and will last a long time. So often, the most expensive machine will wind up costing far less in the long run.

When it came to considering Laguna machines, they were very gracious in letting me walk around their warehouse and look for as long as I wanted, as well as letting me run any machine they had set up. In some cases it resulted in me buying, and in some cases not. But they never tried to hide anything.

John,

As far as Laguna goes, I appreciate your comments.  I thought their rep was pretty forthcoming when I spoke to him.

They would not let me walk around, not unescorted anyway.  They would have to check my pockets on the way out...

Let's see, Driftmaster here, Resaw King there, etc.

Neill

 

[joraft]

As far as Laguna goes, I appreciate your comments.  I thought their rep was pretty forthcoming when I spoke to him.

They would not let me walk around, not unescorted anyway.  They would have to check my pockets on the way out...

Let's see, Driftmaster here, Resaw King there, etc.

I imagine that walking around with a Driftmaster in your pocket would attract quite a bit of attention. 

 

[Mac]

'excuse me sir, is that a driftmaster in your pocket or do you just REALLY like tools?'

 

[Neill]

'excuse me sir, is that a driftmaster in your pocket or do you just REALLY like tools?'

Mac,

Bravo!!!  John makes me laugh enough, if there is such a thing.  I need you too?  Yeah!

Neill

 

[colyn]

I have a older 18" bandsaw,
Also picked up a  drifmaster and a TSS saw in the last couple of years
Have to say the  " WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE " Repeat and Repeat and.....
If you want to wait months and months and leave messages and emails w/o return calls or emails - have fun
Took over 9 months to resolve a driftmaster conflict - I was told upon buying it  - it would fit my bandsaw that I purchased from them - and was given a  delivery date - Months later it arrived and did NOT fit the saw. I had to deal w/ a lot of BS from them  - Torben, his wife and customer service all were full of B.S. (WHEN and I repeat WHEN) I would finally get a return call -excuses upon excuses and everyone blaming each other - nightmare
The TSS had issues with regard to the miter table and the way it was wired - They are a nightmare to deal with if you have any issues
ONCE you get them resolved - Their products ( at least what I have) are OK
my 2Cents

 

[Neill]

I have a older 18" bandsaw,
Also picked up a  drifmaster and a TSS saw in the last couple of years
Have to say the  " WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE " Repeat and Repeat and.....
If you want to wait months and months and leave messages and emails w/o return calls or emails - have fun
Took over 9 months to resolve a driftmaster conflict - I was told upon buying it  - it would fit my bandsaw that I purchased from them - and was given a  delivery date - Months later it arrived and did NOT fit the saw. I had to deal w/ a lot of BS from them  - Torben, his wife and customer service all were full of B.S. (WHEN and I repeat WHEN) I would finally get a return call -excuses upon excuses and everyone blaming each other - nightmare
The TSS had issues with regard to the miter table and the way it was wired - They are a nightmare to deal with if you have any issues
ONCE you get them resolved - Their products ( at least what I have) are OK
my 2Cents

Colyn,

First of all, welcome to our friendly little group.  Hope to hear from you often.

Gosh, I am sorry to hear about your experiences.  It seems as though most people have positive things to say about Laguna but when someone has a gripe it seems to be a big one.  I am glad that you were finally able to get it resolved even though it sounds like you are really just marginally satisfied.

Out of curiosity, if you had a do-over what would you do differently?  Would you have bought from someone else or would you have handled the transaction with Laguna differently from the beginning?  It does sound like you were willing to meet them more than halfway.

Appreciate your answer.

Neill

 

[colyn]

Neil
I used to live in California and visited their office when it was in Laguna. I have met Torben and viewed the facilities. SO when it came to buying some equipment I didn't think I would have any issues. WRONG. I moved out of CA to KY and anything or everything that I tried to do in a civilized manner went unresolved and they dragged their feet - wouldn't respond and after many unresolved emails to Torben, I finally spoke to his wife who blamed me for the  many many hours they devoted  in their meeting trying to take care of my issues - basically blaming me for buying a product that they sell for their machines that was un-engineered and not taking the blame for their  salesman who  had NO clue of what he was selling and for what purpose. Total B.S. They never resolve anything - I engineered a way to attach it ( I am not an engineer) and sent them pic's of what I did to do a temp fix until they came up with a plan - years later - still waiting. She was the biggest B@#$H I have ever dealt with and would never buy from them again. There are other vendors who care and will support you with service. If I was wrong that would be a different story - all I did was buy a product they sold and misrepresented themselves with

I SPECIFICALLY asked if it would fit the bandsaw and gave them my serial #'s before I made the purchase, I was told of a shipment date and low and behold months went by w/o the shipment and yes -my c/c was charged. Every time I was told that I was on the waiting list that kept getting longer - BUT they never said anything about a waiting list upon the order being placed -
Won't go on any more - you get my drift 
I would NEVER support them again - not worth the headache and they don't seem to care- be forwarned

 

[Greg_R]

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

The Radial press allows you to move the entire head back and forth (obviously not while drilling!).  The regular press has a fixed head.  Both can spin around the post like other brands of drill presses.

 

[ForumMFG]

Thanks Greg, That clears it up.

 

[Oldguy11]

Laguna was a dam good company - now things have changed and yes most of the products come from China, they would tell us not to say anything to the customer ....Sell Sell on Laguna Brand - the brand is a sticker that they place on the machine. If you research you can find the exact same equipment online for 1,000 less. Of course this depends on what your buying! Do some research - I know I use to work for them about 2 years ago. The bandsaw blades they sell are crap and they use another company in the back that re sharpens them. Strange operation!

Ps... The new Laser Engraver - It's another companies product from CHINA! Again they place that new shinny sticker on it and wammo! Its a Laguna.

 

[slodat]

colyn,

Your experience has me really concerned. This past weekend I bought a Saggitario made Laguna LT18. This is an Italian made, Laguna rebranded 18" bandsaw, made in 1993. This is one of the first bandsaws they imported and sold. I inquired via their website about an upgraded resawing fence and to see what parts are available should I need some in the future. They called me soon after I emailed them. They were friendly on the phone and seemed knowledgable of my saw and mounting their new Driftmaster fence on my older saw.