In an earlier post, Asa noted that there aren’t a lot of new tools at this year’s AWFS show, but fortunately there are some really good new tools.  Laguna Tools’ new 14″ bandsaws look like smaller versions of the popular European style welded frame saws.  While many manufactures have offered similar 14″ saws in recent years, they have tended to be lighter duty machines without the rigidity and heft found in the larger saws.  Until today, when asked for a recommendation on a 14″ saw I would have steered a woodworker to a General, Jet, or Delta cast iron saw.

After seeing the new Laguna saws, I’d suggest anyone looking for a 14″ saw to a take a close look at the Laguna.

Laguna has two versions of their new 14″ saw.  A full featured version, called the LT14 SUV and a basic machine, the LT14 3000.  The SUV model features a rack and pinion guide post, a foot brake, and a single handle table adjustment mechanism.  Aside from these three items the saws are identical.

While I couldn’t perform a complete test, I did note a very rigid frame, made from heavier gauge steel than competitive models.  Both saws feature cast iron wheels that tracked well and spun freely, a 2hp motor, solid cast iron trunions, a quick release tension lever, Laguna’s patented ceramic guides, a heavy duty upper guide post, and a large 15″ square table.  The machines offer a whopping 14″ resaw capacity, weigh over 300 pounds, and as advertised, can handle a 1″ blade width.  In use I’d still recommend sticking to a ½” blade width for cost and versatility.

These new saws are very rigid and while I can’t judge tension capacity I’ve used a lot of 14″ saws and would estimate the tension capacity to be very high – certainly more than sufficient to tension any common blade.  And, I couldn’t observe any deflection in the guides as I cranked it up to maximum tension – something I couldn’t say about many of the other saws in this category.  The rigid frame coupled with Laguna solid guide system makes for an accurate saw capable of resawing high quality lumber and general furniture making chores. With that large table and extreme resaw capacity it would even made an ideal saw for the wood turner to cut bowl blanks.

These two saws aren’t cheap, but they offer very good value for your money, plan on spending about $1300 for the 3000 model and $1500 for the full featured SUV model.

-Tim Albers

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