I like to build Adirondack chairs and do other basic woodworking projects. I have a small craftsman table top bandsaw that like me has seen better days. I would like to upgrade to something better. I would like the ability to do more sophisticated woodwork. My budget is around $1k or so. Any suggestions? Does anyone resaw? Thank you!
I bought a nice Rikon 10 324 off CL two years ago. 1 1/2 hp. 14" throat, 13" resaw capacity. 2 speeds. Ooo la la.... good saw and does what I need it to do. There is a thread or two on the forums.
Laguna 14Twelve. Ceramic blade guides. Micro fine adjustable. NO heat build up. Takes 1/8" to 3/4" blades. Phenolic plastic mini guides for the 1/8" to 1/4" blades. Phenolic rods are adjusted to the blade. On first run, the teeth trim the plastic away, unharmed. It does not get any better than this. Resaw and mill rough material w/ Laguna Resaw King blade. I resaw down to less than an 1/16" and rough out logs for boxes w/the Resaw King. It will eat up anything and comes out smooth as the proverbial babies butt. The only saw better than this is a more expensive Laguna. ...last thought. Ceramic guides.
Another thing about Laguna: on their site there are a series of videos on how to set this saw up from the box and how to use it. It really helped me decide on this saw. ..and when I did get it home, it was a cinch to setup because I watched the videos. Good luck!
No, I need to cut bones! The bodies get rigid before I can bury them and then it’s hard to get them in the grave. I figure if I cut them into little pieces it will be much easier. Oh, can you pm me your address.
I got mine at the local Rockler store. I did not have to pay shipping and it was just before Christmas.... 10% off. It was a real bargain. It was still sitting on the sidewalk outside the store. It was double stacked so we just slid it into my truck. It weighs #3oo. When I got it home I unpacked it in the truck and brought it into my shop piece by piece. I rigged my own wheel set to make it mobile. Some other things I thought of: It has windows in the top to see the blade tension gauge and the blade on the top wheel to set the tracking. Very handy. Rack and pinon for moving the guide up/down. Smooth. It is without a doubt the most fun tool I have ever owned. I use it for just about everything.
Couple of my home made enhancements to Maximus. Pattern guide. Use it to create fancy fence pickets. Fence to cut raw logs.
Laguna makes nice equipment - pricy by some standards. I have a 17" 2 speed grizzly it is about 8 years old now and a lot of wood has passed through it. other than replacing wheel bands ( cause I forget to take tension off, the only other difficulty I encountered very recently was the power switch went south- promptly sourced a higher quality switch, but while waiting I figured I would give the old one some attention- and it is still running on the original switch. My only grip is the center disc in the table after you have a few blades break it goes south its plastic of some sort about an 1/8" thick. do not like buying the same replacement so I made a couple from alum. and when I get around to it I will make one or 2 from duralon likely apx 3/8" thick takes a little more time to turn on the lathe as it is a flanged affair at that thickness
My BIL (WoodTurnerinPA) just bought the Laguna 14 12 and loves it. I've been watching the 14BX for sales. Hoping to see a $200 discount for fathers day. If not, ill wait for the 10% off at Woodcraft. Or possibly wait till Black Friday. Either way I'll be bringing home a 14bx soon. Retail is $1499. The bx is 220volt and 2.5 hp vs 1.75 hp for the 1412 model
I have an older (made in USA) 14" BS with the riser block installed. It only has a 3/4 hp motor, but I've been able to resaw 12+". I would think that the 1.75 hp motor would be plenty? I'd be interested to hear first hand from BIL WoodTurnerinPA
I purchased my Laguna bandsaw on black friday, I knew nothing about them. I was using a powermatic 14 inch with 3/4 horse power motor. I thought it was great with one exception the blade wondered. I replaced all the bearings tires and everything else I could think of. I purchased it used and it was old. So anyway since the majority of the cuts I make are precision cuts I was done. I saw the ad drove to woodcraft and saw the motor was 1 1/2 horse and it cut taller pieces than the powermatic could I bought it on a whim. Everything else besides my lathes are grizzly. I wanted the grizzly 17 inch for years but couldn't pull the trigger. I couldn't be happier it slices logs like butter. Which would be the same as re sawing. My wife didn't believe me that i could re saw wood thin enough for our laser so I took a piece of wood and re sawed it thin enough to be veneer!!! I like it so much I'm replacing my Rikon lathe with a laguna lathe next! Hope that helps
Thank you for all of the replies! I want to get the Laguna, just trying to find a good price. I’m in no hurry, but my wife wants new Adirondack chairs.
