Bandsaw REcommendations for 14 inch models?
user-6311499
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I am looking for a new 14 inch bandsaw with good resaw capacity. I thought I was all set to buy the Laguna MBAND 144200 SUV, but some of the negative reviews and comments (amazon and elsewhere) leave me a bit concerned. It has been a few years since FWW did a thorough review of bandsaws in this range, and I’d appreciate any more recent experiences or guidance readers may have. Thanks a bunch. Pat.
Replies
I have the Laguna 14/12. I love it. It does everything exactly as it should, without making fussy adjustments that many bandsaws require.
I have the Laguna 14BX with 220V (2.5HP) and it works great for resawing. I bought it based on reviews of 14/12 and was ready to get that, until I saw the BX introduced. I especially wanted the brake and for an extra $100 over 110V model, I couldn't pass on the additional power. No regrets...
Thanks, John and Qtrsawn, Great handle, btw...
The BX at about $500 less than the SUV remains a viable option for me too.
I have the SUV. I have resawn ridiculously wide boards like a walk in the park. I bought a 12" helical jointer planer so I can take full advantage of it. Woodslicer 1/2" and the tall resaw fence, no drift, very happy.
I bought an Ascent BS350 - not a great name!
This is a re-badged chinese 14" bandsaw with a 2HP motor.
Out of the box it really sucked. The fence was not square and needed shimming (as there was no adjustable stop), the NVR switch buzzed awfully and had to be replaced and the supplied blade was dreadful. The blade tension guage has been disconnected as it is worthless. It lacks task-lighting too
However, with a good quality blade it is easy to set up, quick to change blades and I have never bogged it down. I have resawn wet 8" thick treated pine and 6" hard English Oak without any problems using a 20mm 3TPI blade. It needs two different size allen keys to set the guides (why?) but that is not a massive issue and it is a very robust carcass.
On balance I have been happy with the machine - the spec is good for the price, but you don't get luxury and the less you pay, the more effort you have to expect to put in to get the thing set up. With good setup though this cheap saw performs really well.
If you buy a top brand product and it is not perfect, you will tend to be less satisfied than someone who buys a cheap item that just about does the job. Beware of online reviews!
Thanks, guys... Your thoughtful comments are very much appreciated. This is a great forum! Pat.
I have a Laguna 14/12 which I got a pretty good deal on used. If I were buying again, I'd get the BX, mostly for the improved DC ports and 220v.
Note that the stock Dust collection on the 14|12 is terrible, but this seems pretty typical in this class. The rest of the saw is great, but you do need to be careful dialing in the guides. A carbide tipped blade is my next purchase.
I bought the Laguna 14/12 last year for my 60th birthday, and I love it. I looked at the Rikon, the Grizzly offerings and others in the same price/performance range and I'm very glad I have this saw. I've used their support only once for a minor issue and they were extremely helpful and supportive. And I am fussy about support after the sale, so that was a big plus.
The price, I see, has gone up about $100 since last year but still quite competitive in that market segment.
I agree with qtrsawn, I bought the Laguna 14 bx and it is so much better made than my Delta 14" cast iron with riser block. 220v and plenty of power for resawing >13" wide boards. I keep a 3/4" carbide toothed blade on it for resawing and for very accurate straight cuts such as tenons. Kept my Delta for curved cuts. Haven't used the 14 bx for curved cuts as I keep the resaw blade on it, but I have to believe that it would do that better than the Delta as well. Just a great machine, better than the Rikon machines I compared with it.
Last spring I bought the Grizzly G0514X2 - 19" 3 HP. It has 12 inch resaw height. I have resawn 8/4 boards with ease. I've also sawn ash and oak firewood splits to rectangular, then squared them on the jointer, planer and table saw. It's a good way to produce lathe blanks. I use Timber Wolf blades with the blade hooks for resawing. https://timberwolfblades.com/. That was my first Grizzly machine and I'm sold.í
Laguna 14/12 is a beautiful piece of equipment. For me it was either a Rikon, or the Laguna. I'm so glad a friend pointed me to the Laguna, with it's porcelain guides, ease of use, and accuracy
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