Bandsaw (for primarily resawing) in $3.5 to $4K range
Hi All,
I’ve been saving for a few years to buy a bandsaw that will be primarily used for resawing lumber. I’ve got $4K saved (and am saving for dust collection). In that price range, the Powermatic PM1500 seems to be a beefy robust saw. The only real fault as best I can tell is that I might be able to spend less. Seeing as I have a bunch of 12″ wide boards to resaw on my rack (and plan to work with at least this wide of lumber in the future), I want at least 13″ resaw capacity.
If you had $4K already set aside and were willing to spend it on your last bandsaw, are there other makes and models to consider? Many thanks for your input. I guess I am relying upon the Powermatic reputation. I have their table top mortiser and have been very happy with it.
Replies
I am lucky to have bought a Laguna 14 SUV, I think they quit making it, it will resaw 14 inches logs or lumber without hesitation. Fedler was my second choice for quite a few more dollars. A good Resaw bandsaw has these features to look for; a rigid frame, a powerful motor, the capacity to use 1 inch blades and of course a guide that allows 14 inches + resawing. Last time I saw a brand new Powermatic machine, it was a clone of my Craftex/Grizzly planer painted yellow.
I have a Laguna 14-12, and it's fantastic. Since you have the budget, I would get the Laguna 18 inch.
I've got the 14 bx, I got it because it wasn't a lot more money and has a foot brake, I'm also happy and think going with any Laguna band saw would be a good choice.
I have a Laguna 14-12 and it IS fantastic....save your cash for another machine after you buy this one...probably a decent 8" jointer.
+1 on the Laguna SUV. With the guides all the way up it will actually resaw more than 14". I have gone over 13" with a 1/2" Woodslicer without issue. Laguna does not "make" it anymore after what CS called a "disagreement with the manufacturer". The same saw came up here a while back in blue & white silks. I do not remember the brand, but the specs were exactly the same except for the guides & fence assemblies.
If it were me I would buy the saw that meets my requirements and not overspend just because I can. I would then buy the best carbide blades, ones that will provide a quality cut. If a bit of $$ still remaining I would look to buy a resaw sled.
Why buy new? If you have the space you could get some old iron monster that can take a big blade for resawing and has the throat capacity your looking for. You have the budget for it. There are a couple on Craigslist right now in my area and within your budget. One of them came from a navy yard, military always has the best stuff!
I also have the Laguna 14/bx and I equipped it with a 3/4" carbide toothed blade. It does a great job of resawing. I bought it a few years ago for about $1,500 I believe. It has the welded steel frame design and I can't say enough good things about it. I don't know if it will last as long as an industrial quality machine costing much more might, but I have no reason to think it won't. If, as you stated, you have 12" boards to resaw and have plans to resaw even wider ones, you may also want something with a greater resaw capacity.
There's always a bigger board. Once you go over 12" capacity prices start to get silly as you are looking at industrial levels of tooling. I don't have a big saw, but that has not stopped me from looking.
If I had that much to spend, I'd go for the Hammer N4400 - NZ seller site with details here: https://www.jacks.co.nz/products/saws/bandsaws/251
It's a total beast with massive power and a full 12" resaw capacity.
One thing about Hammer gear is it's genuine - it performs better than expectations. This one has a 2.5Kw motor and you can be sure it will run all day - it's on my wish list once the boss gets over how much I spent on their 16" jointer/planer!
I think it comes in about USD 3200.
There are Chinese made 19" saws with the cutting depth you desire, and I am sure they would do a fair enough job. https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/product/562-toolshed-wood-bandsaw-450mm is about USD 1300. This is a fairly well-made machine but the motor is less powerful than the Hammer and you can be sure it will not run all day. Nevertheless, if you need the size and nothing else will do or big resaws are an occasional rather than regular job, then you might consider something like this.
Thing is, resaw over 12" is a highly specialised tool. The tension needed on the blade is high and the machine is correspondingly large.
1. Will it fit in your shop?
2. Even if it fits in the shop, how much utility will you get from the extra capacity? Specifically would that space or cash be better used for something else? Will you always be cursing it because it is in the way or will you hate the inadequacy of a smaller choice?
3. Can you live without that huge capacity? If not then compromise is pointless. Buy big or go home!
For me, I have boards up to 38" wide to work with but I'm not going to try to resaw more than my 14" saw can easily handle. I'll just cut the boards to 8", which is wide enough for anyone.
Found it, the Laguna SUV is now the Harvey Ambassador Series. Have a look, I'm pretty sure it's the same saw. The copy even says that the saw has been sold for years under "mainstream brands".
Yes same machine with different guides, this will give 14 inches resaw capacity once well adjusted and with a good blade and maximum tension.
since nobody voting for powermatic, i will enthusiastically say, +1 powermatic. i recently bought a new 24in bandsaw, and i am shocked at the build quality - smooth, solid, flat, powerful, easy/accurate adjustment. yes, stupid-expensive, and not crazy about non-us manuf, but other than those two (significant) issues, saw exceeded expectations in every way.
I have the Powermatic PM1500. In fit and finish it is great. Lots of power with the three HP motor and the Dust collection is much better than I ever expected with a bandsaw. If you look at the 1500 and the 24" Alan references above, you will see virtually the same level of quality. In fact the 24" just looks like a bigger version of the 15" (which it is). All metal knobs and wheels, excellent fence, etc. Yes Powermatic is a premium, but it is a pretty great tool
If you are regularly resawing 12" stock, I would want a saw with at least 3HP.
I bought the Laguna 18BX fairly recently, and I'm very happy with it for resawing. 3hp single-phase, $2,000 when I bought it, now $2,800 less than a year later. Not trying to sell you on it, just saying it's a great saw for a good price. My fingers are crossed that I don't ever have a warranty issue with with some of the stories I've heard.
Thanks all for the feedback, I will look into the suggestions. I think Hammer has a site/dealer in Sacramento, CA which is about a 2 hour drive from me. I will pay them a visit for sure.
Someone in Sacramento on Craigslist is selling a Laguna LT 18 at around your budget... industrial duty with an 18" + resaw capacity.
Joeleonetti, so which machine did you get? I just went through the same process and decided to go with the PM1500. Why, the safety break, the foot brake, and the quality of the machine, not to mention I contacted Alex Snodgrass (professional Bandsaw Expert) from Carter tools and asked him the same question you asked. I was also looking at the Jet SWBS 18", 3 HP saw that has a 16" resaw capacity and huge table. He suggested the PM1500 because it is a dream to use. So, PM1500 for me.
I went with the Powermatic. For much of the same reasons you did. Worse case thing that likely could be said is I could have saved money and gotten similar performance by getting brand X. I'm ok if that is the biggest issue. Got it on a 10% off Black Friday sale. About to pull the trigger to get proper dust collection (an Oneida 3 HP system or a ClearVue). Have a few pressing woodworking projects to do first before I can set the bandsaw and dust collection up plus get in electrician to run more 220 V (at which time I will likely add more lights). Good news is I have cash saved up for dust collection and likely cost of electrical work. Looking forward to setting it up soon. This bandsaw will really help with taking some of the donkey work out of my hand tools.
I also got a Dewalt 735 planer on a Black Friday sale. Life is really good now. I got the 735 set up and ran some boards through it. Easily can go down to quarter inch. Tried going to 1/8" thickness on some boards. Was a bit too much for the planer but I will have the bandsaw if I need 1/8" thickness.
Outstanding. Please let me know how you like your 1500. I can’t get mine until the end of May when we move in to new house. I also have the 735 planer with an aftermarket helical head. I bought the OEM compatible head when installed bearings. I am so glad I spent the money to upgrade the planer. My dust collection for my shop will be the new Oneida Supercell Turbo. It will allow me to run the ductwork anywhere I want and be able to connect hoses down to 1 1/2 “ and up to 5” without any loss in suction. Plus, when you buy a machine from them you get free ductwork layout assistance. Happy woodworking
For what it's worth, we are now in May and I haven't set up the bandsaw. I got it earlier than I needed it. About a month from now should have an electrician installing plug and power for my dust collector. Still leaning towards the Oneida but checking out the Harvey P800. Will have electriacal done at the same time I get the bandsaw done and some additional lights in the garage.
use a masonite sled and your 735 will go down to 1/8 or less.
Thanks. That's good to know. For some box bottoms I do like to use 1/8" thick material.
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