Wanted to share this with anyone thinking of buying this bandsaw. You’re going to have to make the call as to whether the hassle is worth one or not.
After a year of research and procrastination I finally decided on the Laguna LT16. A little bigger than the 14 and a larger motor. I read all the nice reviews of the 14 and figured I could count on a similiar experience with the larger saw. I called and ordered the saw with a few extra blades to get me started and even a mobility kit. The saw came within a week and a half! Wahoo! I unpacked and it looked great. Got everything staged in the shop and ready to assemble.
First issue – the manual didn’t show how to mount the mobility kit – it showed a different model with a different base. A little frustrating but I figured it out.
Second issue – paint on the base was chipping off – rust underneath. Wonderful quality control in production I’m thinking. OK, so I invest some more time in sanding and applying paint to cover the metal.
Third issue – I can’t get the drive belt installed. I look to the manual and have to use a crank-puller to remove the lower wheel to change and belt – I figure that’s what I need to install a belt also. Soo, I do that – the belt appears to be too short – way too short.
Fourth issue – the power cable from the motor to the switch is too short to reach the mounting holes.
I call Laguna Customer Service and have to leave my name and number. 24 hours go by and no return call – I call again and get a techie. He offers to send touch-up paint for the base – thanks but it’s already taken care of. I tell him about the cable and drive belt issues and provide the belt info – he says he’ll check into it and get back to me. I say the manual doesn’t show mow to mount the motor other than in a schematic (and that’s how I did it) – he says I have a differnt motor that they switched to more than a year ago and they can’t keep up with the changes. I say that doesn’t help me.
About 10 minutes go by and my return call comes in. He explains to me there’s a mounting plate on the saw for the motor that can be adjusted which should solve both my issues. I say thanks and will try that out.
From my standpoint, if they provided an up-to-date manual these things could have been avoided. Like I said – you make the call.
*UPDATE*
Adjusted the motor mount plate upward and that enabled me to mount the drive belt. If that had been shown in the manual in the first place I wouldn’t have had to pull the lower wheel (then remount).
The power cable is still short. The switch will mount – just barely – leaving the cable taught across the open space between the motor and the saw. It would be nice to be able to route it against the saw and not have it so exposed. If I remounted the motor and rotated it 90 degrees counter-clockwise that might give me some slack – but I shouldn’t have to…
Edited 9/9/2008 12:58 pm ET by Brewgonia
Replies
Hundreds of posts like your is what prompted me to put a deposit down on a MM16 a few weeks ago. I have dealt with Laguna myself in the past and I can say it is not much fun.
Good luck,
Lee
P.S. did you get the LT16HD with the 16" resaw or the smaller 16"?
I got the smaller LT16 (non-HD variety).
An additional note after having installed it's first blade....YUK! The Laguna block system seems to be very nice but getting it set very difficult. Blade changes require removing 2 guards and the throat plate. The screws used to move the blocks around are not very accessible.
I did a few 5" resaw cuts through cherry and it worked wonderfully. I'm just dreading changing to a smaller blade for other work.
I have the same saw and did not have any of the issues. The wire from the motor to the switch can be a little taunt but is easily resolved by turning the motor. Once setup this saw will cut like a champ.
I have had the Laguna 14" for 3-4 years without a whisper of a problem.
A year ago I bought a MiniMax FS30 combo jointer/planer. It is a good machine and again, I haven't had any trouble. But - I do receive the MM user-group web site. I am constantly amazed at the number of problems their band saw owners report and complain about. As I read these I am grateful I own the Laguna.
Frosty
"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
Brew:
I have the LT16 HD.
I have just added the driftmaster fence, which is great.
When you sum it up, the core of your complaint comes down to a poor manual. Unfortunately, this seems endemic in the woodworking industry. Even Festool is not immune and you really have to rely upon third-party manuals written by willing volunteers.
As it happens, my saw came with an excellent video which took me through all the set up. Similarly, with the driftmaster. The written instruction were poor but the video on the Laguna website was excellent.
For my Felder combo machine, I had to buy David best "Survival Guide" for $90.00 and worth every penny.
Enjoy your new saw and make something great.
Hastings
I have the LT16, not the HD, and had absolutely no problems assembling it. The video was excellent and the saw is very impressive. I would recommend it with no hesitation. Also, in my dealings with Laguna over the phone, I was met with prompt, courteous service. The manual left a little to be desired, as do many.
lostcreek
That's exactly it - poor manual. A page or two with some clear pictures would have worked wonders.
But to hear the Laguna Customer Service rep state they simply can't keep up with it and offer no apology or indication they were going to remedy the problem is disturbing.
Time to make sawdust...
Laguna is right , they can't keep up because they are simply a woodwork tool MARKETING CO. They made their bones selling combo machines and bandsaws. Now look at their offerings: huge sliding panel saws, knockoff Performax drum sanders, and how the heck does Festool complement their line??? Their "sales consultants" are no better and worse sometimes than used car salesmen in my opinion. They rarely know anything in depth about their product and given the newness and breadth of their lines its no wonder. They are not empowered by Catherine and Torbin to do anything except write an order and it shows.
They have high quality and innovative products, but you're not going to get service after the sale worth butkas unless you just get lucky. In my opinion they are trying to move thier business to be a mini Grizzly, only they forgot to form, hire, train, and motivate a parts and service division like Grizzly has.
Wow...I'm sorry to hear about your issues and I would not be happy either. I like many replies to your post am very happy with my Laguna 18HD. It was easy to set up and has worked great since. I did experience a dent in the base from shipping but fed-ex took the blame.
I hope that the worst is behind you and that you experience many years of trouble free service.
Good luck,
Larry
Proud owner of a Laguna LT18 since 2001,and not a problem. The owners manual for this machine, mine also, leaves a lot to be desired. But I have read comments from other woodworkers, who have imported machinery, that have the same concern with the manual that comes with their machines, MM included. I think every importer of Euro machinery should have someone on staff to translate and write a manual that can be read and understood, especially when it comes to set-up and adjustments.
Fortunately, most woodworkers are pretty handy with tools, and we have to figure these things out ourself. I have yet to purchase a large machine which was just plug and play. You almost always have to make some set-up adjustments before we can play with our toys.
Good luck and watch those fingers.
The Laguna manual was absolutely the worst excuse for "customer service" I've encountered with tools.
I did have a good experience recently with the Nova manual that came with my new lathe. Concise, clear - and it matched the model!
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