Replies

1. 
   sharp | Dec 19, 2002 08:34am | #1

   i enjoy my agazzanni. It is in the same league as laguna minus the "used car salesman vibe"

   j

1. 
   musick | Dec 23, 2002 06:48pm | #11

   I second Turnstyler's advice. Check out Agazzani if you can. Got mine Friday and made some test cuts this past weekend. Fit and finish was nice. Had plenty of power to resaw dry Osage Orange. Eagle Tools was advertising sale prices in November. Don't know if the prices were really cheaper or not, but when talking with Mini Max they weren't willing to match them (although they did call back several times later, and I didn't follow up, I don't like to deal with folks who act like used car salesmen). Laguna did offer to match the prices but only after that "holier than thou" speech about how I should feel good paying more for their machine because theirs is the best. Sorry, but arrogance is a turn off to me.

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2002 08:58am | #2

   I'd suggest doing a search using the keywords laguna and service on several different forums and see what you come up with.  That way, you'll get info from a broad selection of people over a significant period of time.  (Not de-valuing the feedback you get here, of course!)

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   swedishwoodworker | Dec 19, 2002 08:11pm | #3

   You didn't mention which Laguna you are considering.  I purchased a Laguna 16HD earlier this year.  My experience with Laguna customer service has been fine.  The sales people are agressive but I suspect it is due to their pay plan. 

   The saw resaws like a champ (no drift) and I have found DC to be better than I expected.  The motor seems to run a little hot but Laguna assures me this is normal.  The saw initially would not pass the nickel test but after I adjusted the drive belt (should be tight, 1/4" deflection) and tensioned my blades properly it passed with flying colors.  In my opinion the yellow blade guard is not supported very well when lowered for basic ripping or crosscutting.  As a result it will at times pick up some vibration.  I really like the foot brake and the saw was shipped clean.  It was a bit of an adventure getting it from the garage to the basement (spent one night in the kitchen) but an appliance dolly and some patience solved that problem.

   The 1" blade they sent with the saw worked OK.  I have since purchased Timberwolf blades and have had good success with each of them with the exception of the 1".  I will likely try Lennox next.

   The aluminum fence included with this saw is nice because it can be used in the "tall" mode when resawing and flipped (loosen two allen bolts) to a short fence for ripping.

   Overall I am pleased with my decision.  Please note that other than using a Delta 14" I have not compared the Laguna to other saws.

1. 
   Jimma | Dec 19, 2002 09:38pm | #5

   Did you have a problem with the one-inch Timberwolf blade as well as the Laguna? If so, what kind of problem was it?

1. 
   swedishwoodworker | Dec 19, 2002 10:24pm | #6

   The problem I had with the Laguna Blade was vibration (I think it may have been the weld).  The problem that I have with the Timberwolf 1" blade I haven't figured out.  It seems to be some sort of tracking issue.  The wheels are inline and I have tensioned the blade per Timberwolf's instructions (+ a little extra) but when running, the blade moves back and forth front to back more than I think it should.  I have been meaning to call Suffolk to ask them about this but haven't gotten around to it yet.

1. 
   Jimma | Dec 19, 2002 11:46pm | #7

   Thanks for your reply. I thought that might be the problem as it's happened to me a few times, but not with the Timberwolf blades. It's caused by a misaligned weld, not your machine's fault. If you rotate the upper wheel slowly watching the blade as the weld goes past the table insert you'll probably notice it moves slightly forward or back compared to the rest of the blade travel. This isn't much of a problem with the narrower blades, but the one-inch blade in these smaller saws doesn't have a lot of room for that kind of variation and, mine at least, will occasionally jump into the guard and scare the hell out me. This was particularly the case with the stellite blades furnished by Laguna and all three of them (2 were one-inch, the other a 3/4 inch) did it. So I started using the Timberwolf blades and haven't had the problem. I bet they'll make good on yours if you call them. Jim

2. 
   elbert | Dec 20, 2002 07:12am | #8

   Thanks to you SBRIHN and all who responded.  I will also take Forest Girls advice and check some other boards.  It was reassuring to hear that several of you have bought the Laguna and are well satisfied with the service.

   My experiance with the Sales/Demo person at the show was very good.  He was not pushy or of the "used car" type.  Up till I read the posting about their service I was all set to buy the 16HD.  I will do some more checking, but feel better already.

   Thanks again.

4. 
   johnhardy | Dec 19, 2002 08:33pm | #4

   I purchased the LT18 and am totally delighted. I've had to ask some questions and they were prompt and courteous. The documentation which comes with the saw is not very good/detailed, but other than one minor complaint I'm totally delighted with Laguna.

   As an aside, since I'm local to their headquarters, they invited me down so that someone could take me through a 1-on-1 demonstration about setting up the machine, using it to its fullest, etc. Someone spent about half an hour with me, dedicated. I call that pretty good customer service.

   My decision to go with the LT18 as opposed to the heavy duty 16 inch saw was based on three factors: bigger table, bigger wheels, and a heavier saw for the LT18. I'll be doing substantial resawing and felt that these advantages more than made up for the extra several hundred dollars in extra expense.

   John

5. 
   JohnCabot | Dec 20, 2002 07:37am | #9

   I just starting using a MiniMax MM16".  It is a awesome machine which will last a Lifetime ( I should have bought when I was younger). This month have a promotion  on the MM16" with a substantial discount. I could not be happier.

   John Cabot

6. 
   user-135888 | Dec 23, 2002 12:59pm | #10

   Hi

   I also have a laguna, a 16 lt, and I had a problem with the rack and pinion and had excellent service, (unnessesary call backs, they called me back just to say I was right and it was on the way) and love the tool, the fit and finish is completely perfect. I went to the Irvine CA wharehouse(70 mi away) and got the grand tour with a tech. I like em.

   john g.

7. 
   DP | Dec 23, 2002 07:06pm | #12

   Check out Woodcentral.  They have a lengthy thread going that discusses several experiences with Laguna.  Well worth reading.

1. 
   CRATE4U | Dec 24, 2002 08:52am | #13

   I purchased the laguna Lt18 and also a combination machine 2 years ago and have received nothing but the best service and professionalism. I had a minor problem or two and was promptly taken care of. One problem I experienced; the owner went out of his way to overnight a small part to me. To me they have went above and beyond to provide excellent service. I've also toured the warehouse in southern cal; another great experience. Need a good salesman? Ask for Brad Tucker.

8. 
   Zadie | Dec 24, 2002 09:05am | #14

   Elbert,

   I have a Laguna 16 SEC ( the 16 inch with the 2.5 hp 220 V motor and 12 inch resaw capacity. It came with a cast iron table with an European miter slot. That was the only negative feature of the saw I could find in 2+ years. I asked Laguna to change the table to one with a standard 3/8 X 3/4 slot. They did it at a nominal charge and did it quickly! I have had no problem with either service, reliability or friendliness. I however don't use their blades. One fact, however is that I live in California, not too far from their headquarters.

   Z

9. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 25, 2002 01:25am | #15

   You might check out Wilke Machinery's professional bandsaws.  Their brand name is Bridgewood.  It is my understanding that Bridgewood, Laguna, Minimax, and maybe others come from the same or maybe 2 different Italian manufacturers.  I ran between their booths at a woodworking show several months ago trying to determine who was telling the truth, looking for consistencies and inconsistencies.  A review I read said they all lie about each other.  Don't know whether that is true or not, but I did seem to determine that the Bridgewood was a step up in quality to the Laguna.  I don't think Bridgewood is as well known as Laguna.  I was leaning that way until the woodworking show.  Wound up buying the Bridgewood (PBS 540) and it works like a charm, right out of the crate.  The only problem I had was that the paint had worn off where the top of the saw had touched the crate.  I called and they shipped a small bottle of paint at no charge.  By the way, they have switched to American made single phase motors.  Said the Italian-made single phase motors were not doing well here in the US.  However, the Italian 3 phase motors worked fine.

   Alan