Most serious hobbyists are looking for a combination of value and performance, enough machine to do uncompromising work, without any overkill. A new Laguna machine, and one upgraded one, hit that spot squarely.

Hard to beat this bandsaw

 At $1,100 the new 14-in. bandsaw, the 14 Twelve (refers to 12 in. of resaw capacity), available in September, seems to have just about everything I would want in a saw, without going over the top. It is designed to offer a more affordable Laguna option for a 14-in. model, as their Cadillac 14-incher, the SUV, starts at $1,700. However the “Twelve” has the same ceramic guides as the SUV (favorites in past FWW tests), similar resaw capacity (just 2 in. less), and the ability to successfully tension a 3/4-in. blade, according to the company, which is great for resawing (according to everyone).

The key, said Laguna’s product designers, is a very stiff frame, welded carefully in Taiwan, as opposed to China. The fit and finish of the entire saw, including all of the sheet metal work and welds, looked top-notch.

But this thoughtful design goes further than that. There is a magnetic safety switch that you must pull to turn on, a 6-in.-tall, 2-position fence for serious resawing, and a table that tilts both ways. The saw also includes a posable light, another user-friendly feature.

With a 1-3/4-hp motor that runs on 110 power, I would say that this is plenty of saw for most woodworkers, and a tough value to beat. We’ll be testing this one soon.

A tablesaw for everybody

Hitting the same target as the new bandsaw, the updated Fusion 10-in. tablesaw promises plenty of power and features for fine woodworking, without the high price of an industrial cabinet saw. Priced just above the bandsaw at $1,300 for the 36-in. version, and available right now, this saw’s hybrid-size 1-3/4-hp motor should have plenty of power to handle hardwoods.

It has a state-of-the-art safety system, with two types of riving knives that change out quickly, and a switch that is mounted on the fence rail for quick access. The latter is one of the upgrades.

Another improvement is a hose that connects the hood under the trunnions with the port at the bottom of the cabinet, for better collection efficiency. Speaking of the cabinet, it goes all the way to the floor, with a mobile base built in. Upgrades include adjustment wheels made of polished steel and onboard storage for the rip fence.

There is a lot of thoughtful design in these two machines, with today’s woodworkers firmly in mind.

    

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