Replies

1. 
   Metod | Aug 13, 2011 01:46pm | #1

   Decision

   No matter what info you get, you will still have to make (and live with it <g>) you own decision. When I was looking to upgrade my 14" Delta a few years ago, I considered both, MM and Grizzly's offerings. I preferred MM's specs and was willing (after close to a year of stalling) to swallow the price. No regrets. Since then, Grizzly's specs have changed, and now you can get them, as you noticed, for lower price. Look around various forums to find out what the owners have to say or recommend. Best to inquire about a specific model.

   Best wishes,

   Metod

1. 
   Quickstep | Aug 13, 2011 11:11pm | #2

   I'd probably lean toward the MM, but it depends a lot on your use, like re-sawing etc. 7 hours each way is a long drive; that alone adds about $150 to the cost of the saw. And what if you get there and it's not perfect? I'd wait for another to come along a bit closer. 

2. 
   Chrismitchell | Aug 14, 2011 12:15am | #3

   Just sold my MM16

   I just sold my MM16 last week, I had it for two years It's a great saw If you get a good one.

    I'm going to buy the LT18HD Laguna. I hope and think this will be a better saw for me. I was actually logging in to ask any and everyone what there thoughts were on this saw. I perfer Italian Band saws but can only afford the not so expensive ones. I definitly perfer the euro guides V's roller bearings so  Ceramic Guides will be interesting atleast.

     Any thoghts are suggestions would be real nice. Thanks Christopher

3. 
   bones | Aug 14, 2011 08:45am | #4

   Try something else

   I have the 17"HD Grizzly now forever and its been a fine saw.   I have it set up with the Laguna carbide blade and setup for resawing.  It cuts fine and the 2hp motor has not flinched at anything and is capable of cutting large paper thin consistent veneers. and it was well less than half the cost of the laguna.  Now lets talk where it does not compare.  Ease of blade change.  I like the laguna and the way it gets really easy to change the blades which would be very nice, since the griz is not quick.   Now, for something completely different.   I'm going to reccomend you go get some old American Iron.  You can get them for a song some times and those tools compared to anything today (I'm including MM, Laguna) is like toys.   This summer I picked up a Walker Turnr 16" Bandsaw made in 1939 for $125.00.   The only thing I've done is change the upper and lower bearnings which is an easy process, and that saw weighs in at close to a 1000 pounds.  I bought a new baldor motor for $89.00 on CL and now have a BS that is a beast.  I have no intention of getting rid of the griz.  Matter of fact I plan on adding the Laguna veneer fence and dedicate that to that.   For all else the WT will be the work horse.     BTW I recently saw a 36" tanowitz go for 600 bucks so just keep it in mind.    Dont get me wrong MM, Laguna both excellent saws seen both up close, but I just cant see paying that money any more when you have a treasure trove of old much better stuff. Youd be surprised. 

     BTW found an 18" Northfield planner this past Jan for $1500.  I had to pay a wrecker flatbed to deliver it and slide it into the basement.  It was built in 63 and max depth of cut is a 1/4".  Telling you once you go the old iron route you will think today's stuff is toys.  

4. 
   bones | Aug 14, 2011 08:45am | #5

   Try something else

   I have the 17"HD Grizzly now forever and its been a fine saw.   I have it set up with the Laguna carbide blade and setup for resawing.  It cuts fine and the 2hp motor has not flinched at anything and is capable of cutting large paper thin consistent veneers. and it was well less than half the cost of the laguna.  Now lets talk where it does not compare.  Ease of blade change.  I like the laguna and the way it gets really easy to change the blades which would be very nice, since the griz is not quick.   Now, for something completely different.   I'm going to reccomend you go get some old American Iron.  You can get them for a song some times and those tools compared to anything today (I'm including MM, Laguna) is like toys.   This summer I picked up a Walker Turnr 16" Bandsaw made in 1939 for $125.00.   The only thing I've done is change the upper and lower bearnings which is an easy process, and that saw weighs in at close to a 1000 pounds.  I bought a new baldor motor for $89.00 on CL and now have a BS that is a beast.  I have no intention of getting rid of the griz.  Matter of fact I plan on adding the Laguna veneer fence and dedicate that to that.   For all else the WT will be the work horse.     BTW I recently saw a 36" tanowitz go for 600 bucks so just keep it in mind.    Dont get me wrong MM, Laguna both excellent saws seen both up close, but I just cant see paying that money any more when you have a treasure trove of old much better stuff. Youd be surprised. 

     BTW found an 18" Northfield planner this past Jan for $1500.  I had to pay a wrecker flatbed to deliver it and slide it into the basement.  It was built in 63 and max depth of cut is a 1/4".  Telling you once you go the old iron route you will think today's stuff is toys.  

1. 
   Chrismitchell | Aug 14, 2011 12:03pm | #6

   Old American Iron

   I couldn't agree with you more. I've been looking all week to try and find something like you mentioned here but I haven't had any luck yet. Here's my draw back. I have only been doing this for about five years now so my experience is limited. And buying something like this on the web just scares me to death. I need a good saw that i can depend on and the fact that my shop is only 26 x 30 I already have twelve machines not counting the BS so room is an issue as well. I had too many problems with my last BS so I had to sell it to someone who knew more than I did. I'll check out this site you sent me so thanks alot for that. I wish I could find someone who has the LT18HD so I could ask some questions before I buy one. Thanks christopher

5. 
   BruceS | Aug 14, 2011 04:52pm | #7

   Why Modern Iron??

   Why not consider an old cast iron "beast"  ?  Fix it up, paint it up,  and have a great piece of American Made history  made in the USA.

   You can probably get an old 18"-24"  at half the cost of a new MM of laguna !  Even if you have to replace bearings or what ever.  You will then have a heavy, stable and smooth running machine  able to withstand another few generations of use.

1. 
   marrio | Aug 14, 2011 07:59pm | #8

   Ok, I will consider an "old

   Ok, I will consider an "old iron beast".  What brands/models should I be looking for?  Thanks!

1. 
   BruceS | Aug 14, 2011 09:40pm | #9

   Old names

   The list is almost endless.   Oliver, Tannewitz, Moak, Crescent, Walker-Turner, Delta, Boice-Crane.

   But depending on what you want to do, size should be a consideration,  especially paying attention  to blade guides.   You wont want a big "beast" with horse guides designed for resawing  if you want to use 1/8-3/16 "scrolling" blades.

1. 
   Chrismitchell | Aug 15, 2011 01:57am | #10

   Where are they?

   what I need is a BS thats ready to rock and Roll. I just sold a 2009 MM16 couldn't get parts for it. And this saw I bought New from Mini Max. I tried for four months to get a part but I kept getting the same old story . Were waiting on the Factory to answer back. But they never did. " Imagine That" This is why I was wondering If anyone Had a Laguna LT18Hd that could give me some info. Before I make another mistake. Where can you find older Bs ready to go to work. I'm in the middle of building a buffett for someone so I dont have time to rebuild one. Thanks for any help I can get. Christopher

1. 
   bones | Aug 15, 2011 09:24am | #12

   how to find old stuff.

   There are a few places I look.  

   http://www.vintagemachinery.org - Main place to learn and guys fix up units and sell them there fully restored already.  of course you will pay more if somone else has already done the work.  .  Here's a link to a guy selling an old beast (don't know him from Adam and I have no skin in the game as far as he goes).  $725. and appears to be in good shape It's an oliver 192 (not the oliver of today which is in name only). http://s397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/rustytoolsphotos/Oliver%20192/. 

   http://www.searchtempest.com   -  you put in your zip and select how many miles around you to search and it will hit all the craigslists in your area.  Thats how I found my walker-turner 16" bs.

   http://www.irsauctions.com -  its not the tax group your thinking of.  Register and you can even set an alert for what your looking for.  As places are closing (sadly ) you can bid on pieces.   Some go for a song.  These are industrial pieces.  

   Something to mention.  A lot of the old heavy duty stuff will be 3 phase powered.  Not a big deal.  If you have 220 in your shop you can have 3 phase its easy.  I bought and installed a rotary phase converter.  I'm running my 5hp planer off of it.   I've found now that tools 3 phase are cheaper too.  I bought a new baldor 2hp 3 phase motor off cl for less than a 100 bucks.  If you want you can also swap out a lot of the motors for single phase ones as well if you want to go that route, but I compared the two options and it just made since to stay 3 phase.  

2. 
   bones | Aug 15, 2011 08:54am | #11

   there are many names

   There are many names.  Beleive it or not there were a lot of American mfg's of quality tools.   If you want to go this route get a little educated on the subject.  Thats what I did.  go over to vintage machineray register and do some research and ask some questions.  Those guys will help you.  They helped me.   They also have a section called BOYD where folks sell parts and people sell refurbed pieces and I mean these things are nice.  Learn and then decide.   For me it was more of an opportunity.  I had been researching the site and had already bought my planer and wanted the 2nd BS and just happened to see the Walker-Turner hit craigs list and jumped at it.   They also have an equipment index on the site and you can in a lot of cases find manuals.