Significant differences in capabilities of large bandsaws v. mid-size bandsaws
Greetings to all. What I hope is a quick, simple query, but first a note of context.
I’m looking to acquire a bandsaw in the not-too-distant future. I’ve received an offer of an old Delta 20” bandsaw, more or less for free, with expected costs of transport, tune-up, etc. I’ve not laid eyes on it yet, and can’t say anything much re: the details. (There’s another thread on that.) Until this opportunity arose, I was leaning toward a Laguna 14/BX (if I was gonna buy new—that’s a whole other topic) or similar.
So, the question: Are there things that the larger Delta saw (or any of its similarly sized kin) can’t do, or don’t do as well, as the mid-sized saws that are more common in a home shop? Things that a furniture-and-sometimes-cabinet-maker-in-the-making would miss? I’m not expecting it to be a scroll saw or anything like that. I think the answer is basically a “no”, but I’d like to hear from those with more knowledge/experience.
Thanks in advance, folks.
Replies
A potentially useful rephrasing of the question: If the costs were to prove basically equal, would one be best advised to choose the larger saw, or the mid-sized saw? The only real advantage to a larger saw might be the resaw capacity, but that’s to some degree saw-design-specific, I believe.
The Laguna runs 110v (convertible to 220) while the big Delta might be hard wired at 220. How is your home shop setup ? I’d start with big & free and if it doesn’t work out, you can always offload it at a profit and buy new.
I already plan to run 220 to an overhead outlet with an appropriate extension cord reel, so that’s not an issue. I am thinking about mobility, though. That could even prove to be the issue that decides things.
Do you need to move the saw around? The 20 inch is bound to be much harder to make mobile, and would probably cost a bunch to move it, too.
Do you have a scroll saw, or smaller bandsaw? If you don't, find out if the big saw can take narrow blades for finer work.
I'm not sure you'll ever resaw wider than the capacity of the 14BX. Having a wider throat on the 20" is an advantage, but I don't think it's much of an advantage, frankly.
I think a better question is new saw vs old saw, rather than big vs little. Me, I'm no longer interested in cleaning up antiques. It's a lot of time and effort, and always, always costs more than you think. The 14BX will do a fantastic job right out of the box.
If you like the restoration part, go for it. Keeping busy, doing something you enjoy, and stepping back and saying "I did that" is a great feeling. For me it's the work I do with the tool, not the work I do on the tool. I'd go for the BX. But really, it's a personal decision.
I just mentioned above that mobility might prove to be the deciding factor. I’m not especially afraid of the potential tune-up/refurb work, but it’s not what I live for, either. Kinda depends on how much it looks like the big ol’ Delta might require.
I have to admit that I, like the typical crow or raven, am attracted to new and shiny things. So the 14/BX is a definite winner, as far as I’m concerned; just trying to decide if the Delta might be as much of a winner, and potentially more affordable, etc.
Having read both threads I lean towards the new saw. The only advantage is the space from the blade to the column as JC2 points out. I'd like to have that 6 inches, but the new Laguna will be up and running in a blink and with the 2.5HP motor will resaw right to the guides with all the safety and dust collection already there. I have a 14SUV and I LOVE the foot brake/ off switch.
If only they were actually available... pretty much all of the 14" saws seem to be on backorder. Treat yourself to the 18BX and get the best of both worlds! (and immediate shipping)
Good to hear the 18BX now has immediate shipping. I ordered mine in early June and arrived in January (or late December).
Ya know, you might be on to something there! (With the idea of treating myself to the 18BX.) Maybe I can sell my wife’s car and…er, uh, never mind! ;-)
If money were no issue, I think I’d do exactly that. But at nearly $1K more, I don’t see that happening unless some rich relative dies and leaves me enough to make it work. Or maybe I start up one of those GoFundMe pages, pleading with people to give me money to help make me happy.
I ordered the 18BX because Laguna was about to raise their prices. It’s $800 more than what I paid in late-May/early June. Same with their Supermax 25-50, it went up $500 in the same time.
A quality band saw will do anything and more than a smaller saw. I'd take the almost free saw in a heartbeat, if it is all there.
I was hoping you’d chime in, Harvey. My heart definitely wants the Delta to work out. I’m excited to see it this weekend; if it seems reasonable/practical and within my reach to tune it up and get it going well, I’d like to. My only real fear is that I could bite off more than I can chew without realizing it until I’m well down that road. I don’t think that’s really at all likely, but I have to admit I’ve not done it before.
I know the gentleman offering it is hoping both that I’ll accept it and that it will serve me well. He commented, “I shoulda given it to you or somebody years ago. Don’t know why I didn’t. But I sure hope it’ll do the trick for ya.”
It’ll be interesting to see what condition it’s in, whether all or at least most of it is there, etc.
I see that one contributor has mentioned DUST COLLECTION. The new saw will collect 10-50x more dust if you hook it up to a decent collector.
Believe me, I had a Crescent Heavy 20 before I sold it and "upgraded" to a Laguna 14BX. I don't miss the 20" throat of the Crescent one bit.
They don't make 'em like they used to, and sometimes, that's a good thing!
I worked for a millwork company that had an old Delta bandsaw you could practically hop up on the table and take a nap on. We rarely used it to resaw material. It was set up for curve cutting. Trust me, the difference between this monster and your average home shop 14" bandsaw was like night and day. It made half or less the noise, it seemed to practically know where it needed to cut. You didn't guide the wood through the saw as much as it seemed to read your mind about the cut you needed. As the old saying goes: like butta'
As a Laguna 18BX owner I would still be tempted by the 20" Delta if it is in reasonable condition. They were built like tanks and as good as the 18BX is it doesn't compare with old time build quality. That said it probably won't have modern features like ceramic guides, usable fences, dust collection but those things can all be retrofit. I'm sure a generic mobile base can be found to improve mobility and it will have a safety brake like the Lagunas so if it is in decent shape and the price is right give a great old tool a good home.
I have retrofit dust collection to both my bandsaws (plastic pipe fitting under the table that partially surrounds the blade.) Both collect virtually all the dust, as long as I remember to turn it on and open the gate. (;-)>
Updated the other thread, too—the big ol’ Delta is being claimed by a family member, and I’m okay with that. Just means I don’t have a decision to make about it at all. So, Laguna’s gonna get some of my money sometime not too long hence. It’s not like I’m gonna end up with a bad saw, I think that’s for sure and for certain.
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