Replies

1. 
   Fredg | May 08, 2009 02:01am | #1

   I don't know anything about their drum sanders. I did just buy a 14"SEL bandsaw and i am very pleased with it. Their customer service is really good also and the machine quality is excellent. They seem to have deals frequently too. The sales man did inform me that they are going to be doing business through asia now. Not sure if that has any bearing on your decission or not. This is a great place to get answers so i'm sure you'll get the one your looking for if i haven't helped you out.

   Good luck

   Fredg

2. 
   mapleman | May 08, 2009 03:12am | #2

   CP,

   Do yourself a favor, when you are ready to purchase, call Tim Lory @ Laguna  1-800-234-1976 (Ext. 9617).

   I have had several very positive dealings with him over tha last few months. I wouldn't think of buying a machine from Laguna without going through him. Also ask him if they can discount any accessories or sandpaper you may be interested in.  Now is the time to ask, when you purchase the machine. He may not be able to discount the machine itself but almost always they will work with you on accessories. Also ask if they still have free shipping going on (they did last month).

   And tell him Lee Hingle sent you, too. Can't hurt, might help.

    

   Lee

1. 
   ctsjr | May 08, 2009 03:58am | #3

   And tell him Lee Hingle sent you, too. Can't hurt, might help.We're trying to get the guy a discount, not have them charge him more! :) Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   mapleman | May 08, 2009 06:57am | #5

   Tom,

   Shhhhhhhhh!

   I get a cut   ;-)

    

   Lee

1. 
   ctsjr | May 08, 2009 03:34pm | #8

   Oh, Lordy, don't go there!! See you Sunday. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

2. 
   CessnaPilot | May 08, 2009 02:39pm | #6

   Thanks Lee,

   Tim called me last night and was very helpful. Gave me alot of info. Also that discount thing, he offered me $100.00 off for shipping. Every little bit helps.

   I was hoping to find someone in the  PA. area that has one.  I've done alot of homework on drum sanders, and I am leaning toward the Laguna.

1. 
   mapleman | May 09, 2009 04:08am | #9

   CP,

   Best of luck with your purchase. I know lots of us here would like to hear about your experience if/when you get the machine up and running. Post back if you do get it - that sander is of of the things on my "want" list.

    

   Take care,

    

   Lee

    

    

3. 
   FrankDrackman | May 08, 2009 04:20am | #4

   I am sure that you will get some responses that say that Laguna customer service isn't very good, but I have a few Laguna tools and love them.

   Every time I have needed help, or a part, they were quick to respond and always had my part in stock.  I also own tools from companies that are direct competitors and have not had the same satisfaction. 

1. 
   CessnaPilot | May 08, 2009 02:47pm | #7

   Thanks Frank,

   I appreciate the input.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | May 09, 2009 06:35am | #10

   Frank,I was/am looking at a Laguna saw a while ago, and I brought up the issue of C/S with the rep. He said that they had had problems issues in the past but have worked through it. Does this make sense to you?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com and now http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 09, 2009 06:23pm | #11

   I know I am not Frank answering your question but I will add a comment just because I'm waiting for glue to dry. :>)

   I was a customer several years ago doing research on a Laguna BS. I was lied to about the competitors machine as the rep treated me as if I fell off a turnip truck yesterday morning. He knew all and had a quick answer to every question I had comparing his machine to the competitor. I knew better but didn't say a word as I simply let him ramble on.

   I requested a brochure and was told it would go out immediately. I am still waiting today even though I purchased another BS based on how I was handled...

   Now.. with that said.. Laguna has been the topic of much controversy both in this forum and others. I got to talk to the guys from Laguna at IWF as they were across from the Steel City Booth where I was demonstrating machines.

   I believe at this point that Laguna knows they got their butt kicked with negativity on-line and it hurt a small company as them. I believe at this point measures may have been taken to correct some of the negativity. I have not dealt with them since but.. from what I now hear.. read.. and witness they have gotten their elitist attitude under control.. lifted their head out of their *ss and decided if they were going to survive in a very competitive market they had to do things a bit different.

   I will not forget my experience but.. I will let recent actions by them decide if I give them future considerations. A spade is a spade.

   Sarge..

1. 
   flairwoodworks | May 09, 2009 08:30pm | #12

   Thanks Sarge. That was what I was looking to hear.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com and now http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   Jfrostjr | May 10, 2009 04:17pm | #20

   This thread has descended into a discussion about the "Salesmen" as opposed to the "Product".I have had a 14" Laguna for about 4 years. The salesman was acceptable - a little high pressure as he offered a discount (I think $200) if I bought right then. I took him up and he threw in the mobile base which is VERY good.Since then I have not had any problems with the saw - performance has been faultless. As I own a MM FS30 (?) jointer/planer combo, I am registered to the MM website. There is a constant stream of complaints about problems with the MM bandsaws. (I have had no problems with my FS 30.) Draw your own conclusions about differing bandsaw qualities.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 10, 2009 06:14pm | #22

   I for one Frosty, don't question the product. Well.. to clarify that I don't personally think the mid-price Laguna or MM is of the quality of the higher priced which it shouldn't be for less. But... I ruled both out as a better saw IMO could be had for less as I think both are over-priced for what they are but many will purchase simply because Laguna or MM is labeled on the side. So.. each machine should be judged on it's own merit and not with the label on the side.

   But.. even though the product is good in this case.. just how much emphasis on sales and support should come into play? If I buy a new car from a typical high pressure car salesman.. I'm really not listening to him or her as I probably know more about the vehicle than he or she does. I do look and am concerned with the manufacturer who stands behind the deal when things go wrong and warranty work.. parts.. etc. are necessary.

   In the case of Laguna.. MM.. or any other company that is selling a product manufactured by another off-shore concern.. I cannot rely on the manufacturer themselves to back the saw. I have to rely on the sales source direct if I have a problem as they are the manufacturers representative. They become the top of the chain of command in this case and the impression they created would affect my decision on whether I wanted to trust them to deliver after the sale regardless of how good the machine is.

   So.. the quality of machine is important but.. to me the quality of support if I need it after I purchased it is no less important. I buy a package in lieu of just a machine when possible. 

   Regards...

   Sarge..

2. 
   flairwoodworks | May 12, 2009 04:21am | #23

   I think that most of us here would agree that Laguna makes a good product. However, it's their C/S, or lack thereof, that has kept me away in the past.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com and now http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

3. 
   polarsea1 | May 13, 2009 10:35am | #24

   I have a Laguna TSS and I've never had anything but good service from them. The service people are superb, end of story. I'd rather have someone who knows what they're talking about in the service and/or accessory department than a good ole boy selling me the product. 

   If I were in the market for a bandsaw, Laguna would be my first choice.

2. 
   FrankDrackman | May 09, 2009 08:43pm | #13

   I agree with Sarge's message below.

    

   I think that they used to think short-term quick sales and realized that woodworkers have a long memory.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 09, 2009 11:08pm | #14

   And... WW'er's have access to the inter-net which can spread the word much quicker than "word of mouth" as things used to be. But... that has a down-side also when some base opinions or rant on something without having all the information. As you know.. just because you read it on the inter-net doesn't necessarily make it so.

   Some sources prove to be reliable... some don't. And really when in doubt we should question and do some home-work on our own to determine true or false. But.. that's just the inter-net for you as everyone wants to think they are an expert. Sort of like those that pay for a degree on-line and receive a piece of paper that says they have a degree. As helpful as the Internet is.. nothing is perfect about the contributors that fill the seats behind a key-board I suppose. 

   Back to templates and pattern cutting where I am very sufficient but fall far short of expert but.. I would be willing to pay for an Expert Template Maker Icon if someone could deliver it to me. You can fool some of the people some of the time.. etc. etc... ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Sarge..

   Edited 5/9/2009 4:12 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   mapleman | May 09, 2009 11:18pm | #15

   Sarge,

   I think you have hit the nail on the head. Everything you stated is true. I had both bad and (more recently) very good dealings with Laguna. However, there are still some duds in the sales dept. Thus the reason I recommended Tim. In fact, Tim reversed a decision I had made not to purchase a machine from them (their platinum horizontal mortiser) because I had received the runaround from a different salesman at Laguna.

    When I posted about my experience with the first salesman on another forum, Tim sent a note and asked me to contact him to see if he could help. Basically he went to the owner's wife (Catherine) and relayed what had happened and asked her what could he do to help me and not lose the sale for the company. On top of that, since I have spoken to him a dozen or so times on the phone at length, I have come away with the feeling that he cares about the customer, not just trying to make a quick sale. Oh yeah, he returns calls too. That's rare after a sale.

    

   Take care,

   Lee

    

    

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 10, 2009 01:13am | #16

   I doubt very seriously that they have cleaned to the very bottom of the barrel as I know the salesmen that I spoke with originally is still there. At least he was last August at IWF as he has been there quite a while. He knows his saw but he told a few tall tales about another similarly priced competitors saw.

   However.. from recent posting with some positive feed-back and just pure speculation about them coming to the realization that you can't sell.. sell.. sell and not back the sale or treat customers with utmost respect before and after the sale.. it appears they have done as I mentioned in the other post and lightened up on their approach and follow-up.

   Hopefully this is not just pure speculation on my part but.. the jury is still looking for solid facts before a final verdict is rendered. I would say they are being keenly watched and if they were to continue to back-step down the slippery slope... you will most likely hear about it which is exactly what needs to happen for the good of all including Laguna management.

   Good luck with your dealing with them as they most definitely have some good equipment for sale.. they only lacked some good customer service to make you want to spend those kind of dollars.

   Sarge...

    

   Edited 5/9/2009 6:14 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

3. 
   CessnaPilot | May 10, 2009 04:29am | #17

   Since I started this discussion, let me add that after speaking with Tim, which who initially called me, I came away interested in their product line. He was supposed to get me some references, by the next day, in my area of PA. who have aready purchased the 16/32 drum sander.  Also he mentioned that there have been about 100 of these machines sold all around the country. That info has not been recieved yet. I'll keep all informed of the results.

   Edited 5/9/2009 9:30 pm ET by CessnaPilot

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 10, 2009 04:52am | #18

   Ya da man.. if they do good, say so.. If they don't.. say so as the info benefits any that might consider them in the future. You can have the best machine in the world but.. who wants a machine that has no backing of support once it is sitting there.

   Sarge..

5. 
   Tinkerer3 | May 10, 2009 05:30am | #19

   One thing I like about this forum is if you have a half dozen contributors criticizing and one praising a particular product.  I would take caution about my purchase.  I did this very thing about the time when we were considering bandsaws.  I got the MM16 and you chickened out.  Ha Ha.

   Edited 5/9/2009 10:38 pm ET by Tinkerer3

6. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 10, 2009 05:43pm | #21

   Actually I didn't chicken out... I simply withdrew a $500 deposit on an excellent BS to purchase another excellent BS that cost $1000 less at that time over 2 years ago. Can I compare my machine to the Industrial strenght of the MM. No.. but it does everything I could have done with the Industrial machine and it does it daily so... I saved $1000 by making the decision I did and I have no regrets what-so-ever in this case.

   Regards...

   Sarge..