Laguna 16″ Jointer-Planer Combination Needs “Workarounds” to Overcome Design Flaws
I have had my Laguna 16″ Jointer-Planer Combination for about 9 months. I was frustrated with a number of aspects of the machine, which I attribute solely to design flaws. I am extremely happy with the results the machine is capable of producing, particularly being able to face joint large boards. I have the spiral cutter head, and the results are terrific on difficult wood. Woodworking is a hobby, not a production operation for me, so the brief change over from one mode to the other is not a problem.
I have owned a Laguna 16″ Bandsaw for several years and have been very pleased with it, particularly after some modification I made after a Google search that provided tips for significantly upgrading the dust collection capability. The saw was built in Italy, the Jointer Planer in China.
I will list my perceived flaws, and if anyone wants my “workarounds”, I’ll be happy to share what I have done.
- The aluminum fence is not flat, and when the adjusting bolts are tightened, the fence takes on a warp that cannot be easily remedied.
- Changeover from jointing to planing when using the supplied fence is tedious and does not work as advertised, particularly with the balde guard in place.
- Dust collection (chip or shaving collection in reality) in the jointer mode is terrible. 90% ends up on the planer bed below. I have a 2 hp Oneida Cyclone and this machine is closest to the collector and uses a 6″ x 10′ hose to connect from the blast gate. (Still working on this one, but since there is little dust generated, it is not a big health issue, and I just clean up afterward, so far.)
- The side to side height adjustment of both infeed and outfeed tables to get them level across the blade is achieved by raising and lowering 13mm hex bolts that the table rests on. The bolts have molded markings on the top and over time the markings wear, and the table wanders out of adjustment with use. If you lock the table with the cammed locking device, the table goes out of level adjustment in correlation with how hard you crank on the locking handle. In this case, I just leave them unlocked, as the tables are so heavy, they are not going anywhere, and cannot see any difference in boards jointed with the tables locked or unlocked.
- The planer mode generates snipe on both ends, which can be minimized, but not eliminated, by raising the ends by hand on the in-feed and out-feed, provided the board is long enough for you to get to the out-feed end before it is all the way though the planer.
Things I like:
- Great results with the spiral cutter head, and after several projects, still very sharp and no blade nicks, even after running over knots.
- Machine is heavy and runs smooth – not much vibration
- Dust collection in the planer mode is quite adequate.
- Table height adjustment is very good and stays put.
- Plenty of power to handle the wide boards.
Replies
Laguna Jointer/Planer
Interesting thoughts. I was just curious. Which 16" J/P machine do you have. Laguna has a Platinum 16" machine and the FS41 Jointer/Planer available. Sounds like you may have the one made in China.
Platinum J/P
I have the Platinum, which was made in China.
Laguna 16" combo machine
Hello, I have this machine as well and would like to know more about your workarounds.
I have the 12" J/P machine
I have the 12" J/P machine from Andreou Machinery of New Jersey; it is the exact machine as the Laguna Platinum 12" machine. Andreou no longer sells this machine. As far as work arounds, I have just learned to live with its faults but have had good results so far with its use. My thoughts on the above issues:
1. The fence-remember this machine is a knock-off of much nicer European J/P machinery, and made to a price point. The fence on my machine is the same as the 16" machine. Maybe you got a lemon but I have had no problems with mine. My only concern in use is to make sure to use a square to get the fence to 90deg. of the tables after moving it. You may have to use a large washer or piece of flat iron behind the bolt to spread out the clamping force of tightening the fence.
2. Changeover-to change from jointing to planing, I just loosen the large hand knob holding the fence support, slide the fence back toward the wall all the way, retighten this bolt, and loosen the 2 fence levers to tilt the fence all the way up and back. Kind of awkard to do this, but the only way to get the fence out of the way of the swinging tables.
3. Dust collection-the dust hood is not the most effecient design, but even with my 1 1/2 horse single stage Delta DC, I get about 90% of the chips/dust collected. The other 10% ends up all over the machine and floor. And this machine is the closest to the collector, using a 6 foot 4" hose. This is just the design of the hood and I just live with some clean-up after a planing session.
4. I never noticed any table alignment issues, but after reading your initial post, I might have to break out the straight edge. Since I move from jointing straight to planing, I probably never noticed any odd surfaces. I have never felt the need to adjust these settings since owning the machine since 2005.
5. Snipe-I just plan for it by leaving a couple of inches waste before crosscutting to needed length. I do support the ends of long boards prior to catching it on the outfeed end which seems to help.
Any other issues I have just learned to live with. This is not a Felder. I knew this going in; that I would have wait for some winning lottery numbers.
Keep safe and watch those fingers.
Laguna J/P
Well i have had mine 10" J/P for about a year now and find it to work well. I had a 6" jet that i gave up that worked just fine but i need a larger bed for wider boards. But if i have one complaint with this machine, its that Laguna doesn't offer extension for the beds. I made my own but i just think that with these beds being so short that they would have a option. Also i have the mortiser as well and it is fantastic. I'm also a stickler about ajustment and i'm contantly checking and finding no problems.
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