Replies

1. 
   nicobie | May 21, 2003 07:49pm | #1

   Before you go with Laguna, check this out.

   It was posted here a few days ago.

   http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-knots&msg=12170.1

   The proof is in the puddin'

1. 
   LeeTree | May 21, 2003 11:56pm | #2

   Thanks,

   So I see your preference is the Mini Max?

   - lee -

1. 
   user-135888 | May 22, 2003 12:10am | #3

   Hi

   I have a LT 16 and could not be happier with it, But I think the best bandsaw is the aggazzi line.

   Also as far as customer service I have had no customer service problems. I also like the 2 dust collectors, 1 under the table, the other in the lower wheel housing.

   The mini max s45 is a bandsaw with a spoked upper wheel and 10" hight on resawing, and the mm16 is not as good as the agazzi 16" saw.

   Just my two cents

   john

   Edited 5/21/2003 5:13:14 PM ET by john

1. 
   nicobie | May 22, 2003 10:04pm | #4

   I have never used the Agazzani brand of saws but I've heard they make a nice tool.

   You might check their specs. first.

   The Minimax resaws 13" and if I remember right, weighs more. It also comes with a 3.6 hp motor.

   I can't remember all the particulars now, but I do remember that the Agazzani didn't stack up feature for feature with the Minimax.

   However, you would probably be happy with either.The proof is in the puddin'

1. 
   user-135888 | May 23, 2003 07:47am | #6

   Hi

   OK, but I have seen both in operation and I liked the agazzi better. It's shape looked more sturdy and I'm unsure of the telescopeing guide mechinism, like the agazzi's though. And your talking about the mm16, because I really did not like the s45.

   I have a laguna lt16 and am happy with it, I paid $1084(after taxes) dollars at a show, got a carbide 1" resaw blade as part of the deal. I don't think there is that much of a difference between bandsaws, there all great, Really.  

   Reasons Why I like mine bandsaw better, Price/12" resaw/The TWO dust ports really keep the saw and the wheels clean/ and I don't constantly resaw hard maples and oaks 12" wide under a short time schedule. The powers fine, by the way I don't have problems tracking any blades(1/4-1"), I did completely unalign then realign it.  I did buy the rack and pinion option (You need it)$35 bucks.

   john

   Edited 5/23/2003 12:50:50 AM ET by john

2. 
   AlanTurner | May 23, 2003 03:19pm | #7

   A note if I could - the Agazzani has dual dust ports, and the DC is excellent, even during heavy resawing.

3. 
   user-135888 | May 23, 2003 06:51pm | #10

   hello

   Yeh, two dust ports are great. NO mess.

   john g

4. 
   nicobie | May 23, 2003 07:48pm | #11

   Hi John

   I'm sure that having 2 dust ports wouldn't hurt, but I've found that on the Minimax 16 it's not nessary. Does the LT 16 (made by Meber and since discontiued by Laguna) have the sealed off chamber under the lower blade guides that captures the dust before it can get into the lower blade guard?

   I really don't get enough dust there to worry about. However I do have a good DC with 6" ducts. This might be helping me.

   Hope you will still be able to get parts for your Laguna.The proof is in the puddin'

2. 
   JohnWW | May 23, 2003 01:45am | #5

   Before spending your money on a larger saw, as much fun as that is, you should try switching the blades on the saw you have now. 

   For heavy cutting you should be using a two or three tooth per inch blade made for resaw work.  If you are cutting green wood a blade designed specifically for cutting wet wood is needed.  I'd recommend contacting Suffolk Machinery in New York for their Timberwolf Blades. 

   Talk to one of Suffolk's sales people, they're bandsawing experts and will help you pick the right blade.  You may find that with a new blade the saw you have now will cut perfectly well.

   I've resawn 11 inch wide hard maple on a Ridgid 14 inch bandsaw with no problems when using a Timberwolf blade, and that was using the stock 3/4 horse motor that came with the machine.

   John W.

1. 
   LeeTree | May 23, 2003 04:07pm | #8

   John,

   Thanks. The resawing is not the big issue. I have a 3/4 inch Timberwolf, and it resaws just fine. My issue with the Jet is that I am getting logs from friends to use in bowl work and the Jet just does not seem to have enough power. Any thoughts?

   - lee -

1. 
   JohnWW | May 23, 2003 05:08pm | #9

   If the logs are at all green the Timberwolf  blades you have may not be correct for sawing them.  Suffolk has a blade made specifically for cutting green wood.  It has a very deep gullet, a different tooth geometry and probably a greater set, all to clear sawdust efficiently.  The dust from green wood is very different from dry and an ordinary blade can't handle it well, causing the machine to cut slow and bog down, it also overheats the blade. 

   At .032 inch thick, the blade is also thicker than most of the other Timberwolf blades.  I was warned that the thicker blade would develop fatigue cracks sooner when used on a 14 inch wheel bandsaw.  To increase the life of the blade use moderate tension and back off the tension between jobs.  If you take the blade off the machine, don't coil it up, let it hang loose on a peg.  Unless Suffolk suggests otherwise, I'd go with a 1/2 inch wide blade. 

   To get the maximum available power out of the machine make sure it is tuned up well , Fine Woodworking has run a few articles in the last couple of years about tuning up a bandsaw.  If you find that the saw is cutting well, but just too slowly, with the correct blade for green wood, replacing the motor, probably with a 1 1/2 HP, would still be cheaper than buying a whole new machine.  Good luck, if you try my suggestion, let me know what happens.

   John W.