Hi Folks, I’m looking at a new larger bandsaw for my home shop. Currently running a delta 14″.
At work (shopclass) I run 2 Grizzly 17″ G0513XF2 saws with foot brakes and a Delta 14″.
How much am I gaining by buying a Laguna 18BX over a Grizzly like I have at work?
Replies
I know this doesn’t answer your specific question but why pass on a Harvey bandsaw. I only ask because I’ve seen their recent popularity and good reviews. However, I’m also aware there’s a lot of fake crap out there so I just wanted your point of view. I’m still shopping.
The Laguna is about 40 lbs. heavier than the Grizzly depending on the Grizzly model. I believe some Laguna's are Italian made and have 3HP motors. The Griz are Tia-Chi and have 2HP motors. I have a Grizzly G0513X and a G0513X2. I have always said that when it comes to stereos, cars and bandsaws . . . technology is great but raw horsepower usually wins the day. I will say that both Griz saws have run flawlessly on an almost daily basis since about 2007 so no complaints. Something like a Minimax is at a different level and this is expressed in the price. the Griz and Laguna are close in price so I cannot help you there on bang for the buck.
I think only the LT18 is “Italian Made” making it cost twice as much as the ones in question. But I don’t really know, as marketing is meant to confuse and trick consumers.
I guess it took my response after all.
I picked up a used Laguna LT18 3000, it's the Taiwanese/Chinese made saw (not the Italian for 2x the price), has a 4hp Leeson motor, 15 1/2" resaw capacity (I think), and 17" or so throat. The BX18 has a 3hp motor, 16" resaw and 18" throat. I believe the Italian LT18 has a 4.5hp Baldor motor and the same resaw and throat specs as the BX18.
I've had my saw for about a year and use it at least twice a week, some weeks it's used daily. It came with a 1 1/4" and 1/2" Resaw King blades, I leave the 1 1/4" on 90% of the time. It powers through everything without flinching. I've roughed 13" tall 24" diameter maple bowl blanks and resawn 12/4 x 8" maple, 10/4 x 12 cherry, and 8/4 x 10" walnut. In each case the cuts are "table saw quality." The 1/2" blade also cuts incredibly smoothly for 2-3tpi. I realize most of this is the blade but the saw is rock solid and tracks wonderfully. I can cut bridle and castle joints and fit them right off the saw if that's an indication. Stock fence is accurate and solid as well. Dust collection is ok but not great. There are two ports which really need two hoses, not one hose with a Y-connector. According to the specs, it weights 525lbs and was not fun to load or unload from my truck.
In short, I'm really impressed with this saw and recommend it. Don't know how much difference 1hp will make between the LT and the BX but I'd guess it could be substantial when resawing toward the max end of capacity, especially with particularly dense woods. Hope this helps and sorry for the length.
I’ve used a variety of different bandsaws in woodworking classes at a local adult education and was generally happy with them all. To me, having tried a saw to see if you are happy with the results is a huge advantage. If you have been happy with the Grizzly I’d probably get that one. You’d probably be happy with the Laguna as well if I had to guess. Only you can decide how much you want to spend and there is no right or wrong on that.
I have the Grizzly 17” bandsaw and love it. Laguna makes nice tools but they have a customer service problem. I hear good things about their products but when issues come up the service is lacking.
I hate to be disagreeable but have had very good experiences with Laguna customer service. I've had their 3hp dust collector (MDC3560-0145) for 8 or 10 years, can't remember how long. When I burned out a start capacitor, the customer service rep went out of his way to find the parts I needed. Had a similar experience when I wanted to replace parts on my bandsaw. The only issue, if you can call it that, I've found is that they stop carrying parts specific to machines they no longer sell once stock runs out. Both of my Laguna machines are old models so parts specific to those machines are not listed on their website and require a phone call.
Looks like you've got a lot of good advice from folks to help you with your decision.
I have the 18BX and love it. I have no experience with the Grizzly, so I can't compare.
I have a Laguna 14/12 that I keep a 3/16 blade on, for cutting curves. The 18BX has a 1-1/4" carbide Resaw King. I can resaw 10" cherry into 1/8" with it all day. No fussing, just plug it in and go. The dust collection is great too.