Tools & Materials

Laguna 14BX – 14-in bandsaw

A bandsaw that does everything right

#257–Nov/Dec 2016 Issue

Synopsis: This Laguna bandsaw (Model 14BX) has all the best features of the 14/Twelve, plus an excellent disc brake, tool free adjustments on the ceramic guides, a large throat plate and a generous work surface. The tires are very balanced with almost no vibration, and dust collection is excellent, even when resawing.

I very much liked Laguna’s 14/Twelve bandsaw when I reviewed it. Their 14BX bandsaw has the best features of the 14/Twelve—tall fence, big table, toolless ceramic guides—and adds a full cabinet (no more stand), and a disc brake to create an awesome bandsaw. The disc brake is the best brake that I’ve seen on any bandsaw. A gentle push on a foot pedal cuts the power through a microswitch and mechanically clamps the disc brake, stopping the saw very quickly. Tool-free adjustments on the ceramic guides and a large throat plate make changing blades a breeze, and dual 4-in. dust ports (one directly below the guides, the other at the bottom of the cabinet) do a good job of keeping up with the sawdust, even when resawing at the saw’s full 12-in. capacity. Nicely balanced cast-iron wheels and true-running urethane tires create a virtually vibration-free saw that tracks blades very accurately.

The saw is available with a 1 3/4-hp or 2 1/2-hp motor, which is the size motor on the saw I tested. The first thing I tried after I had the saw set up was to resaw some hard maple, which it did with absolute precision and no straining. There is virtually no flex in the upper guide post. The 38-in. table height, combined with a high-low fence and a generous 16-in. by 21 1/2-in. table, create a great work surface.

laguna bandsaw blade tires are well balanced wheels with a disc brake — Well-balanced wheels with a quick stop. Made from cast iron and wrapped in urethane tires, the wheels ran with almost no vibration. Step on the brake pedal and two things happen: The motor switches off and the disc brake brings the wheels—and blade—to a standstill.

laguna bandsaw ceramic guides: all adjustments are made without tools — Great guides and lots of power. All adjustments to the guides can be made without tools, which speeds up blade changes. Plus, there’s plenty of power to resaw boards up to 12 in. wide.

laguna bandsaw with mobile base is worth the investment — Although not standard equipment, the mobile base is worth the $150 investment.

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Comments

RJGunn | Nov 06, 2016 10:39am | #1
I recently bought the 14BX 1.5hp and I am in agreement with this FWW review. I would like to comment on how easy it was to set up; pretty much all I had to do was fit the table to the trunnions, install the blade and adjust for tension and tracking. I ripped through some 8 inch maple logs with no problems using a Laguna 1/2" 3 tpi blade. This is my first bandsaw and I don't think I will ever need to buy another.

R J Gunn, Canada
BruceMoore | Dec 25, 2016 01:54am | #2
I just ordered the 21/2 hp model and can't WAIT to get my hands on it!
TonyT | Oct 07, 2017 11:34am | #3
I have the original 14twelve. I like it a lot. I just with there was a retrofit for the brake. I does coast for a LONG time.
Fattboyy | Feb 12, 2018 12:06am | #4
I bought my 14bx (110v version) about 2 weeks ago. It is just a FABULOUS saw. It resaws beautifully. The dust collection is superb. It is hard to find any dust in the saw.

My only complaints are the lower guides. It is difficult to get to the adjustment knobs.

I have owned a 3/4 horse delta bandsaw for almost 30 years. This saw makes me feel like my delta was nothing but junk
WoodNuub | Aug 09, 2018 02:52pm | #5
I bought the 220 Volt 2 1/2 HP version about six months ago. This is a great tool. I have been surprised by how smoothly it cuts - and not because I spent a fortune on the blades. Curves have been a real pleasure - even with a 1/h 3 TPI blade. The brake pedal power cutoff is fantastic; it cuts the power and brings the blade to a stop while you hold the work and the off-cut. I am very pleased with my purchase of this saw. I definitely recommend this saw to anyone who is a serious hobbyist. I am able to buy larger boards and re-saw them without any problem - this is saving me money.
MrMufasa | Apr 04, 2020 11:31am | #6
What blades do you recommend with this saw?

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