Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jan 05, 2005 09:12pm | #1

   We have several Laguna bandsaws at school, including a 16hd. Properly adjusted, they're all capable of resawing down to around 50/1000 of an inch - more than adequate for milling guitar parts. They're all terrific saws, however, you may want to look closely at the blade guides on the Laguna and the Rikon as part of your decision making process. I mention this because I'm not terribly pleased with the way the blade guides on the Laguna tend to squirm out of position as you tighten the bolts with a hex key; once set, they stay in position, but doing the initial set up, as when changing blades, isn't my favorite activity because of their fussiness. I haven't seen a Rikon in person, so can't comment on their quality.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 11, 2005 09:13pm | #2

   I can see what you mean.  I am so tempted by the cost of the rikon but 2hp compared to 4.6 is a lot.  I have used the laguna 18 and that has the 4.6 and it cuts like butter.  would save me a lot of time in the long run....

   If the Rikon had a 3hp and a better fence I would own it already,

2. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 12, 2005 12:16am | #3

   Any reason why you are not choosing a Minimax?

   John

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 12:30am | #4

   mini max 16 - 2095 for a 3.5 hp, ok guides.

   laguna 16hd - 2295 for a 4.6hp , good guides. 

   rikon 18 - 999 2hp ok guides. 

   I don't see the value in a minimax vs a laguna, thats why I am looking at the rikon.  I can get a 5hp motor for 175, and have a machine that cranks, plus I can buy my powerfeed and still have money left over.  just need to figure out how to place that 5hp motor in the rikon. 

   simple math.  I want a good size motor, I resaw a lot, have other expenses. 

   I am not resawing 12 inch wood, I do 7 to 8 inch billets, want a sturdy heavy duty machine, thats why the laguna comes into play. 

   if I could find a minimax/or laguna new or used for around 1500 I would jump at it...

    

3. 
   Peter36 | Jan 12, 2005 12:50am | #5

   I think the Rikon is a pretty flimsy machine. Someone here posted pictures of one recently [last 2 weeks or so] and you could see the lack of rigidity. The trunnions are stamped steel vs cast iron on a quality saw. You get what you pay for. You should find the Rikon bandsaw thread and check it out. Good luck .

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 01:36am | #6

   I saw the machine and it was nicer than the jet 18 that was standing right next to it and better than the delta that I have looked at. I don't think that its flimsy at all, plus it did get a good review, why stamp your name on a POS?Why is there no 3hp machine out there thats about 1500...

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 12, 2005 02:26am | #7

   I can see where you are going, but Minimax does have a base saw that is $1700.00 w/ 2.5hp motor. A bandsaw is a lot more than the motor. Some of the Asian saws are pretty flimsy. I don't know about the Rikon, but I like to spend my money once and do it right. I would hate to shell out $1000.00 and have to replace it in five years. Let us know what you decide.John

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 03:30am | #8

   I just was looking at the laguna 16 not the HD 3hp... 1300. Just need to make sure its the same fence thats on the 16hd, if it is then I am going to order that one...The woodworking show is in 3 weeks in chicago will be going to that, for sure!

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 12, 2005 04:35am | #9

   There ya go! At that price, I'm interested! Where did you see that?John

2. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 06:19am | #10

   laguna dec 2004 price sheet, just got it in the mail about 2 weeks ago.

2. 
   Mackwood | Jan 13, 2005 07:51pm | #18

   "why stamp your name on a POS"

   Hard for me to understand also but there sure are a lot of companies doing it; and if you look at the price of Home Depot stock, it seems like they're getting away with it!

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 14, 2005 02:39am | #19

   I think the Rikon is a pretty flimsy machine. ?? .....  and you could see the lack of rigidity. The trunnions are stamped steel vs cast iron on a quality saw.

   Just some info..   OK, they are steel..  So what..

   Steel trunnions are 0.180 thick about 3/16 inch (4.7mm)

   I rigged up a digital measuring device that measured from a sturdy work bench to the underside of the cast iron table and measured at each outside edge of the table.

   I placed 155 pounds at each corner (one corner at a time) MAX. deflection was 0.057 inch, about 1/16..

   Edited 1/13/2005 6:41 pm ET by Will George

4. 
   Peter36 | Jan 12, 2005 12:26pm | #11

   Well it sounds like you are on the right track with the Laguna but here is the number of the post about the Rikon      20978.1   check out the tableadjuster jpeg. I would honestly think you would regret the purchase.

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 04:17pm | #12

   I never make angle cuts so who cares about that pic.... I want a resaw machine not angle cuts.  IF there was a bandsaw that had no adjustment I would like that better...

1. 
   Peter36 | Jan 12, 2005 08:20pm | #13

   I think that anyone wanting a solid bandsaw would care about that picture because that is what supports the table, at 90* or at any other angle. Put a large cast iron table on top of that and a heavy billet or material to be resawn and I am sure that you will find some noticeable deflection but maybe that does not matter to you.

1. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 12, 2005 08:30pm | #14

   I resaw billets.  none of my billets weigh more than 10 pounds.  none of them are longer than 20 inches.  maybe if I have a 50 pound piece of oak... 

   why pay for something that I don't need. 

   I need a heavy duty motor and a big blade.

1. 
   wrudiger | Jan 13, 2005 09:45am | #15

   Have you  looked at the new Grizzly 21" (G0566)?  3 hp, up to 1 3/8" blade, weighs 684# so  there has got to be more than sheet metal in it.  Oh yea, $1,595.

   Seems like the Grizzly machines come from a range of suppliers with a range of quality, but this one is supposedly made in an ISO 9001 factory, which is supposed to mean that they have solid quality control procedures in place.

2. 
   bigdguitars | Jan 13, 2005 04:12pm | #16

   I just bought, er let me rephrase, I just put my 450 deposit on the laguna 16 bandsaw, not the 16hd the regular one.  It has a 3hp motor, takes a one inch blade and only cost me 1400 + 225 for shipping.

   Not so bad from the other prices I have seen.  I did not need a huge A$$ machine in my garage.  I need one that could resaw that was not over 2g's...

3. 
   MarkRoderick | Jan 13, 2005 07:18pm | #17

   I ordered the same machine at the beginning of November. Should have it in February. They must be selling well.