I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA (im
in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc? Sounds
like it could be a huge PITA.
I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the street.
I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and hates) or the
18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at Woodcraft says
he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much like the Laguna 16"
I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would be a no brainer.
Any suggestions?
--
Stoutman
http://www.garagewoodworks.com
(Featuring a NEW look)
> LOL.... What a dilemma. I'm glad I am not in your shoes. Woah..... I am
> in your shoes or maybe visa versa.
> It sounds like you are looking at the lighter Laguna 16" saw.
Yes. I was considering the Laguna 16" (LT16)
> On the Rikon I did have tracking problems unless I cranked up the tension.
I went to Woodcraft today and brought with me some 10" wide 4/4 hard maple.
They had a Rikon in there woodshop/classroom and he resawed a 1/4" thick
section of for me. He admitted that the blade that was on there 3/4"? was
very worn and it STILL resawed nicely. I am willing to bet that with a
better resaw blade it would have done even better, but that would be
exceeding my expectations at this point.
> I witnessed that the upper wheel would wobble when running although I did
> not see it running.
After watching the Laguna video I remembered the "grab at 9 and 3 oclock
manuever" and gave the top wheel a good crank and she DID NOT budge.
I also asked the salesman to remove and reinstall the blade and he did it
fairly quickly with no snags (i did not time him).
I also asked about the 3-horse 18" Jet and he thought that the 3-horse was
overkill (much like some that posted here in this thread). He recommended
the Rikon over the 18" Jet an d 18" Delta (...I do realize that sometimes
salesman will push one product over another because of incentives, but I do
not feel this was the case here...).
I told him that I read some negative feedback on the Rikon (from you, but I
didn't give you away ;) and his jaw dropped!
> Timberwolf did not think that was right so I checked the 18" monster that
> Delta sells and the top wheel wobbles on it also. Right or wrong, a lot of
> saws top wheels wobble. Laguna indicates that the first thing that you
> should check is the top wheel, grab it in the 9 and 3 o'clock positions
> and try to wiggle it back and forth. If it wobbles you are probably going
> to have more tracking problems than with a saw that does not have a
> wobbling top wheel.
<snip>
No wobble on the Rikon here in NC.
If you go with the Laguna, I hope you don't need to return it. I don't
think that will be a pleasurable experience based on what I have read about
there customer service.
I ordered the Rikon today! I think it will suit my needs just fine. Up
until this point I have been getting buy with a handheld power jig saw. So
this will be like going from a Honda to a Lamborgini for me! :)
Thank you for your reply Leon! :)
"Dave Jackson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The Jet is also a good saw. I've had mine for almost three years now and
> like it. --dave
I also have and like the Jet 16" Its serves me well - with a new blades.
Dave
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
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I researched this to death because i am on a tight budget. If money were
not a problem, it would be the Laguna or MiniMax.
I am in Canada so the product names are a little different but the machines
are basically the same. If I were in the US I would have chosen RIKON.
They are not available in Canada under that name. Later on I found a
Canadian retailer who imports RIKON under their own house name but they had
a 6 month waiting list. So I went with a Canadian importer who uses the
trade name KING. Not quite as impressive but I am more than happy. Machine
came totally and accurately setup.
Bottom line.... take the RIKON unless you have bags of money or are making
a living with it.
Tom
BTW HP is not an issue with a bandsaw....it's all in the blade and your
patience in feeding stock.
"stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
> I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
> small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA
> (im in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc?
> Sounds like it could be a huge PITA.
>
> I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the
> street. I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and
> hates) or the 18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at
> Woodcraft says he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much
> like the Laguna 16" I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would
> be a no brainer.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> --
> Stoutman
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com
> (Featuring a NEW look)
>
On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 21:31:57 -0500, "C&S"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> BTW HP is not an issue with a bandsaw....it's all in the blade and your
>> patience in feeding stock.
>
>I'll second that. Although I do not cut wet stock (green logs) I have yet to
>bog down 2HP. IMO feed rate is limited my blade speed (generally constant),
>sharpness and tooth geometry.
With 5HP Baldor motor it sure isn't :)
Although even my saw still doesn't do well with 36 teeth in the cut
at one time :) (Less than 3tpi blades aren't very common and I
haven't bothered to get any yet)
After having a crap bandsaw (Old 18" 2HP Grizz) I just spend the
extra money to avoid the headaches you get with lower quality
equipment. Though someones personal/financial situation, and the work
they do would play a large part in their decision.
I'm still expecting my saw to be serving me in 40 years.
>Laguna's $250 shipping costs turned me off too.
Hmm, I got mine into Canada (their depot is about 30 miles from me)
for $25?
--------------------
Steve Jensen
Abbotsford B.C.
[email protected] chopping out the mortise.
BBS'ing since 1982 at 300 bps.
Surfing along at 19200 bps since 95.
WW'ing since 1985
LV Cust #4114
Nothing catchy to say, well maybe.....
WAKE UP - There are no GODs you fools!
"C&S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> BTW HP is not an issue with a bandsaw....it's all in the blade and your
>> patience in feeding stock.
>
> I'll second that. Although I do not cut wet stock (green logs) I have yet
> to
> bog down 2HP. IMO feed rate is limited my blade speed (generally
> constant),
> sharpness and tooth geometry.
>
> Laguna's $250 shipping costs turned me off too.
If you are ready to buy you can get Laguna to absorb that and then some. I
just tentatively bought a Laguna with a $450 discount off regular pricing of
the saw and a couple of accessories.
stoutman wrote:
> I ordered the Rikon today! I think it will suit my needs just fine. Up
> until this point I have been getting buy with a handheld power jig saw. So
> this will be like going from a Honda to a Lamborgini for me! :)
I bought the 18" Rikon when Woodcraft first started stocking it. I don't have
any wobble in mine. I've had nothing but good experience with it.
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
[email protected]
Also in NC
"Peter Huebner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
>
> China, I am reserved about, very reserved - I've just had too many abysmal
> experiences. Taiwan I am _quite_ willing to consider; they've come a long
> long
> way in the last 15 years.
I certainly see your point but the Chinese are capable although we do not
often see it.
Snip
> Your point about the tension release lever is well taken. I'm sure I'll
> pay
> more attention to solid wheels and the kind of guides I want over that
> feature.
> I can actually get access to three Italian brands but Laguna is not
> amongst
> them: Lazzari is one, and I can't recall the other two names. But they are
> nearly twice the price for a smaller (!) saw (16" vs. 18").
Laguna is an American brand built by SCM in Italy IIRC. They seem to put
more R& D into the out come of the version that they sell. Yes the Italian
brands are pricey, Ferrari pricey. I'll be paying almost 3 times what I
paid for the Rikon.
>
> My policy is to only buy very good quality tools, always - it pays off
> even in
> the short run. I'd rather wait and save than waste my money on stuff
> that'll
> end up in the junk pile in short order. But I simply don't do enough
> woodwork
> (it's my long term hobby, not my job - I only rarely take on commissioned
> work)
> to really warrant a 3700 NZ$ expense on a 16" B/S.
Unfortunately for me I had to learn the hard and more expensive way on many
of my purchases. Well, my first nail gun was a Senco which turned out to be
a top of the line tool back in the late 80's. :~)
"Peter Huebner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
"Peter Huebner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So tell me something. Is the Jet just another re-badged OAV or is it
> actually
> made in a different factory? I am still thinking and researching my own
> purchase and damn near all the saws we can get down here are re-badged OAV
> I
> have found out, Carbatec, Holytek, Magna, Trupro ... and they all look
> exactly
> like the pictures I have seen of Ricon and Jet. Most of the difference
> seems to
> be in guides used and accessories (tension release lever) and motors.
>
> I'd be grateful if somebody could confirm or deny,
I can confirm that most Name Brand companies that do not own their on
manufacturing facilities typically want the manufacturer to make their saw
look and function like the Italian made Band Saws. Where they are actually
built really does not matter too much unless they are not built by an ISO
manufacturer. Just because a tool or machine is not built in the USA,
Canada, Taiwan, or Europe does not mean that you will not get a quality
built machine. Typically however you do not want to pay much for a quality
built machine and you know, you get what you pay for. For the most part the
American market demands low prices and unfortunately many that buy the
cheaper brands do not know what to look for in a particular machine and
often gets sub par quality. The quality standards are set by the company
that puts their name on the product. Whether Jet, Delta, Rikon, or Grizzly
are built in the same factory or not, it all boils down to what they require
out of the manufacturer. Manufacturers are flexible and they can build as
much quality, fit and finish or features as the company that they are
manufacturing for wants.
I'll say that I have been in this situation wanting to save money on a
machine and who isn't. I purchased a Rikon 18" BS and waited over 2 months
for its delivery. When it arrived it was in a fantastic crate and well
protected. Inside bubble and shrink wrapped and every thing looked perfect.
The quality appeared to be very high however I found that features seemed to
be added that were not really cutting edge. When compared to the Delta 18"
saw it seemed superior even after I decided that the Rikon was not up to the
standards that I was looking for and returned the Rikon 2 weeks after I got
it.
IMHO most name brand wood working machinery is INEXPENSIVE for what you are
getting. If you demand higher quality spend more money.
I see band saws selling for $400 and jointers for $350. 20 plus years ago I
paid about those prices for a Craftsman BS and jointer. The band saw was
half plastic and the rest was aluminum. I would venture to say that after
20 plus years of inflation and with some of these machines still being in
the same price range that you are certainly getting what you pay for.
I have come to realize, I think, that I need to buy Old machinery that was
expensive 20 plus years ago and maybe have to rebuild it or spend more money
so that I get what I Want rather than what appears to be the best bargain.
Because the economy is good and that there are more wood workers today than
in the years past demand is up and so is the competition. The businesses
that are having machines made today are in many cases building a machine
that they think that the
consumer wants and not often a machine with features that really matter.
Talking to both MiniMax and Laguna and Timberwolf I have learned and
realized that most band saws are filled with unnecessary bells and whistles.
The money that you spend on a BS goes towards those bells and whistles when
it should be going to better specific parts. Both Minimax and Laguna have
indicated that they gave gotten caught up in the wants of the customer vs.
what really makes a better machine for the customer. Five years ago 2 hp
was enough power to resaw 12". 3 years ago 3 hp was enough to resaw 12".
Today it takes 4.5+ hp to resaw or at least that is what the consumer
thinks. So both have upped the hp on their 16 heavy duty saws.
I was one that was caught up in the quick tension release feature. My
Craftsman required turn after turn after turn to tension and distension the
blade. My Rikon saw had the new design release lever that should have more
correctly named the less tension lever. So far the MiniMax and Laguna do
not offer this feature. They simply use Acme threads instead of the fine
threads on their tension mechanisms and I can say that this set up works
pretty good as witnessed by me on my Rikon when I simply turned the tension
wheel 3 or 4 times.
Anyway my advice is not to look only in your price range. Look also at the
expensive stuff and "educate yourself" Then start comparing features and
see which one you really need and which actually fall into the bells and
whistles category. I think you will find that spending more money and
waiting linger if you have to is going to typically get you a better tool
that requires less setup and daily tweaking, and one that should actually
last a lifetime.
Don't blame China and Taiwan for the quality you get, blame the company that
you give your money to for not requiring higher standards of the machinery
that they are having built.
"C&S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My experience was two years ago and they would not offer me any break
> unless
> I purchased an accessory package that I did not want, or traveled 250
> miles
> to a show, at which I could pay tax and then figure out how to get it
> home.
>
> I bought someone else's saw.
>
> It may be a great saw, but I found their pre-sales support to be aloof,
> unmotivated and unaccomodating.
Apparently a lot has changed. Contrary to what I have heard about Laguna
they have been very helpful. I told both the Laguna salesman and the
MiniMax salesman that I was going to commit at show time and that I was
going to see and touch the saw before deciding. Both were very respectful
of my concerns and both told me that regardless of which brand I bought that
it be my last BS that I would have to buy and would be hard to beat in
quality and performance.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> The Jet is also a good saw. I've had mine for almost three years now and
> like it. --dave
>
> "marcaf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Just stay away from Delta. For a couple a hundred more, I should have
> > gone with the Laguna or Rikon.
> >
> > http://marcafreedman.com/
> >
So tell me something. Is the Jet just another re-badged OAV or is it actually
made in a different factory? I am still thinking and researching my own
purchase and damn near all the saws we can get down here are re-badged OAV I
have found out, Carbatec, Holytek, Magna, Trupro ... and they all look exactly
like the pictures I have seen of Ricon and Jet. Most of the difference seems to
be in guides used and accessories (tension release lever) and motors.
I'd be grateful if somebody could confirm or deny,
-Peter
--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
{snip}{snip} lots of stuff that I basically agree with.
> Don't blame China and Taiwan for the quality you get, blame the company that
> you give your money to for not requiring higher standards of the machinery
> that they are having built
China, I am reserved about, very reserved - I've just had too many abysmal
experiences. Taiwan I am _quite_ willing to consider; they've come a long long
way in the last 15 years.
Unfortunately it seems that you and we have almost no brands in common, the
exception being Jet - which is sold as slightly up-market here but which I have
also read a lot of negative comments by some reviewers about. So my thinking
is: IF the Jet is an OAV, then I might as well get a cheaper one and get the
accessories I need/want during negotiations. The motor size craze hasn't hit
here yet, most shop sized 20" saws are sold with a 2 horse motor, only the
sawmill resaw jobs have 5hp..30hp.
Your point about the tension release lever is well taken. I'm sure I'll pay
more attention to solid wheels and the kind of guides I want over that feature.
I can actually get access to three Italian brands but Laguna is not amongst
them: Lazzari is one, and I can't recall the other two names. But they are
nearly twice the price for a smaller (!) saw (16" vs. 18").
My policy is to only buy very good quality tools, always - it pays off even in
the short run. I'd rather wait and save than waste my money on stuff that'll
end up in the junk pile in short order. But I simply don't do enough woodwork
(it's my long term hobby, not my job - I only rarely take on commissioned work)
to really warrant a 3700 NZ$ expense on a 16" B/S.
<sigh>
-Peter
--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com
"Scorp" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
(Less than 3tpi blades aren't very common and I
> haven't bothered to get any yet)
Laguna sells a silicone steel blade similar to the Timberwold with 1.3 TPI
x 1".
TeamCasa wrote:
> "Dave Jackson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> The Jet is also a good saw. I've had mine for almost three years now and
>> like it. --dave
>
> I also have and like the Jet 16" Its serves me well - with a new blades.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
> ----------------------------------------------------------
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> http://www.usenet.com
I just came upon this review of a range of band saws. Perhaps it will be
helpful.
http://www.rd.com/americanwoodworker/toolguide/TT_Bandsaws.pdf
Harvey
"stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
>> LOL.... What a dilemma. I'm glad I am not in your shoes. Woah..... I
>> am in your shoes or maybe visa versa.
>> It sounds like you are looking at the lighter Laguna 16" saw.
>
> Yes. I was considering the Laguna 16" (LT16)
>
>> On the Rikon I did have tracking problems unless I cranked up the
>> tension.
>
> I went to Woodcraft today and brought with me some 10" wide 4/4 hard
> maple. They had a Rikon in there woodshop/classroom and he resawed a 1/4"
> thick section of for me. He admitted that the blade that was on there
> 3/4"? was very worn and it STILL resawed nicely. I am willing to bet that
> with a better resaw blade it would have done even better, but that would
> be exceeding my expectations at this point.
>
>> I witnessed that the upper wheel would wobble when running although I did
>> not see it running.
>
> After watching the Laguna video I remembered the "grab at 9 and 3 oclock
> manuever" and gave the top wheel a good crank and she DID NOT budge.
>
> I also asked the salesman to remove and reinstall the blade and he did it
> fairly quickly with no snags (i did not time him).
>
> I also asked about the 3-horse 18" Jet and he thought that the 3-horse was
> overkill (much like some that posted here in this thread). He recommended
> the Rikon over the 18" Jet an d 18" Delta (...I do realize that sometimes
> salesman will push one product over another because of incentives, but I
> do not feel this was the case here...).
>
> I told him that I read some negative feedback on the Rikon (from you, but
> I didn't give you away ;) and his jaw dropped!
>
>> Timberwolf did not think that was right so I checked the 18" monster that
>> Delta sells and the top wheel wobbles on it also. Right or wrong, a lot
>> of saws top wheels wobble. Laguna indicates that the first thing that
>> you should check is the top wheel, grab it in the 9 and 3 o'clock
>> positions and try to wiggle it back and forth. If it wobbles you are
>> probably going to have more tracking problems than with a saw that does
>> not have a wobbling top wheel.
>
> <snip>
>
> No wobble on the Rikon here in NC.
>
> If you go with the Laguna, I hope you don't need to return it. I don't
> think that will be a pleasurable experience based on what I have read
> about there customer service.
>
> I ordered the Rikon today! I think it will suit my needs just fine. Up
> until this point I have been getting buy with a handheld power jig saw.
> So this will be like going from a Honda to a Lamborgini for me! :)
>
> Thank you for your reply Leon! :)
I have the Rikon and don't have the upper wheel wobble problem. I do have
a 1" Timberwolf blade that isn't straight which goes along with a recent
thread about bad TW blades. The blade doesn't move side to side but does
move front to back. This doesn't seem to affect the cut*, though and it
does cut straight. A few problems I have with the saw are 1) the fact that
I can't get the roller bearings adjusted far enough to the front of the
blade due to a design issue. 2) the roller guides tend to move when trying
to adjust them....just when you get it where you want it, tightening throws
it out. 3) the 90° stop for the table is a pain to adjust.
I really like the dust collection and so far I haven't had any other issues.
*The widest board I've cut was 6" alder so don't have any comments on
resawing a 12" thick piece of hard maple.....
Gary
stoutman wrote:
> I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
> I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
> small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA (im
> in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc? Sounds
> like it could be a huge PITA.
>
> I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the street.
> I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and hates) or the
> 18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at Woodcraft says
> he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much like the Laguna 16"
> I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would be a no brainer.
>
> Any suggestions?
Well, obviously you are doing something wrong. Every time *I* rethink
my choice the cost doubles.
er
--
email not valid
In article <[email protected]>,
"Tom Woodman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> So I went with a Canadian importer who uses the
> trade name KING. Not quite as impressive but I am more than happy. Machine
> came totally and accurately setup.
KING is a strange company in the sense that their hits are great and
their turkeys are godawful. One year ago-ish I encountered their plunge
router. Crappola, sir. Just not good. No other outfit offers such a
contrast.
I have a KING bandsaw and it is all I ever wanted. If had more use for
it, I'd probably have spent the coin on a Laguna/MiniMax/Rikon. But this
saw is amazingly well done for the money.
Now I'm getting the inside poop that Sonoma (Sanoma?) has a 23 ga. pin
nailer which is a sleeper. A total honey for the money. Go figgur, 'cuz
the rest of their line is trashy.
r
In article <[email protected]>,
"C&S" <[email protected]> wrote:
> It may be a great saw, but I found their pre-sales support to be aloof,
> unmotivated and unaccomodating.
That'd do it for me.
I can't stand those types of sales people ether.
I have, on occasion, been known to point that out to salespeople as well.
.
.
.
.
in a nice way, of course...'cept once.. *muses at the memory*
Dreyfus, DeVito. 1987. "Tin Men"
> BTW HP is not an issue with a bandsaw....it's all in the blade and your
> patience in feeding stock.
I'll second that. Although I do not cut wet stock (green logs) I have yet to
bog down 2HP. IMO feed rate is limited my blade speed (generally constant),
sharpness and tooth geometry.
Laguna's $250 shipping costs turned me off too.
-Steve
> > Laguna's $250 shipping costs turned me off too.
>
>
> If you are ready to buy you can get Laguna to absorb that and then some.
I
> just tentatively bought a Laguna with a $450 discount off regular pricing
of
> the saw and a couple of accessories.
My experience was two years ago and they would not offer me any break unless
I purchased an accessory package that I did not want, or traveled 250 miles
to a show, at which I could pay tax and then figure out how to get it home.
I bought someone else's saw.
It may be a great saw, but I found their pre-sales support to be aloof,
unmotivated and unaccomodating.
-Steve
The Jet is also a good saw. I've had mine for almost three years now and
like it. --dave
"marcaf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Just stay away from Delta. For a couple a hundred more, I should have
> gone with the Laguna or Rikon.
>
> http://marcafreedman.com/
>
"Enoch Root" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Well, obviously you are doing something wrong. Every time *I* rethink
> my choice the cost doubles.
EXACTLY.. why is that. LOL
"stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
> I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
> small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA
> (im in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc?
> Sounds like it could be a huge PITA.
>
> I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the
> street. I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and
> hates) or the 18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at
> Woodcraft says he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much
> like the Laguna 16" I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would
> be a no brainer.
LOL.... What a dilemma. I'm glad I am not in your shoes. Woah..... I am
in your shoes or maybe visa versa.
It sounds like you are looking at the lighter Laguna 16" saw. Want a few
observations? Read On.
On the Rikon I did have tracking problems unless I cranked up the tension.
I witnessed that the upper wheel would wobble when running although I did
not see it running. Timberwolf did not think that was right so I checked
the 18" monster that Delta sells and the top wheel wobbles on it also.
Right or wrong, a lot of saws top wheels wobble. Laguna indicates that the
first thing that you should check is the top wheel, grab it in the 9 and 3
o'clock positions and try to wiggle it back and forth. If it wobbles you
are probably going to have more tracking problems than with a saw that does
not have a wobbling top wheel. Makes since to me.
After returning the Rikon I first looked at the Laguna 14SE. It and the
smaller 14" and bigger 16" models are built by another manufacturer in
Bulgaria IIRC. Not that this a problem, it just means that these 3 lighter
saws are built a bit differently than the heavier HD line of saws. In
particular there are 2 features that I DO NOT like about these 3 lighter
saws. It is strictly a personal preference situation that I prefer the way
that the larger saws are built. The first reason that I do not like the
lighter saws is that the bottom guides are BEHIND the front side of the
trunion. Basically like a lot of BS's the lower guide is mostly hidden by
the trunion. I WANT easy access ability. The HD line has the lower guide
in front of the complete trunion and in perfect view of the user when you
look down there to make adjustments. The other preference of the heavier
lines of saws is that the tension adjustment wheel is on the bottom of the
upper cabinet vs. on top with the lighter saws.
I am not sure that I would buy another saw sight unseen so I am waiting
until the WW show to actually decide. The Monday before the show I am going
to MiniMax in Austin, TX to look at and do the touchy feely thing with an
MM16. Fortunately that is only a 3 hour trip away. Moth MiniMax and
Laguna will be at the show in 3 weeks. The MM16 and Laguna 16 HD compare
directly to each other but geez there are a lot of differences.
Anyway If you would like to hear the differences that I think would matter
one way or not I'll be glad to share. Both saws are basically the same
price give or take $100.
I did put down a $500 deposit on the Laguna that is refundable if I decide
to not buy the saw. I will however be in line to get one of the saws due in
on April 1. The Laguna salesman and I did some negotiations over price and
should I decide to go with the Laguna I will be getting about $450 off of
regular price of the saw, ResawKing blade, 3 different silco steel blades,
Mobility Kit, and Delivery to my drive on the ground. If I negotiate a
better deal at the show I get that price instead and still maintain my
position in line to get the saw. I doubt that the show price will be
cheaper since my salesman knows that he could loose the sale to another
salesman in the same company. Maybe so maybe not.
> --
> Stoutman
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com
> (Featuring a NEW look)
>
I looked at both the Grizzly and Rikon 18 and decided on the Rikon and have been
very happy. I liked the Laguna but couldn't justify the price for where I'm at
in my woodworking experience. Sounds like you not going to make a bad decision
on either one.
"stoutman" <.@.> wrote:
>I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
>I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
>small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA (im
>in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc? Sounds
>like it could be a huge PITA.
>
>I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the street.
>I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and hates) or the
>18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at Woodcraft says
>he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much like the Laguna 16"
>I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would be a no brainer.
>
>Any suggestions?
I have the new Rikon also. Once you get it set up it does a good job.
As Leon found the upper wheel mounting and tensioning is a little
sloppy. I had trouble with having to re set everything after using
the quick release. This has mostly been resolved. On the plus side
woodcraft and Rikon have both been great to deal with. Some of this
problem comes because a given blade may be actually longer then the
proper 142". For my current needs and finances I'm happy. If I did
production work I wouldn't want to spend to much time doing tune ups.
Hope fully one new part will make mine stay in tune.
Mike M
On Sat, 11 Mar 2006 01:18:54 GMT, "stoutman" <.@.> wrote:
>I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
>I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
>small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA (im
>in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc? Sounds
>like it could be a huge PITA.
>
>I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the street.
>I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and hates) or the
>18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at Woodcraft says
>he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much like the Laguna 16"
>I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would be a no brainer.
>
>Any suggestions?
"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> stoutman wrote:
>> I ordered the Rikon today! I think it will suit my needs just fine. Up
>> until this point I have been getting buy with a handheld power jig saw.
>> So
>> this will be like going from a Honda to a Lamborgini for me! :)
>
>
> I bought the 18" Rikon when Woodcraft first started stocking it. I don't
> have any wobble in mine. I've had nothing but good experience with it.
No doubt. Timberwolf indicated that the new models with the different
tension release were having problems.
> I just came upon this review of a range of band saws. Perhaps it will be
> helpful.
>
> http://www.rd.com/americanwoodworker/toolguide/TT_Bandsaws.pdf
>
> Harvey
Thank you! That was helpful.
I'm gonna put a direct link to that on my web page!
--
Stoutman
http://www.garagewoodworks.com
(Featuring a NEW look)
"stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have been thinking of buying a new bandsaw (still).
>
> I really want the 16" Laguna, but I can't get myself to write a check to a
> small company for a huge piece of equipment on the other side of the USA
(im
> in NC). What if there is a problem with it?...I don't like it..etc?
Sounds
> like it could be a huge PITA.
>
> I think I am gonna get one tomorrow (order?) from Woodcraft down the
street.
> I am torn between the 18" Rikin (which I know Leon tried and hates) or the
> 18" Jet. The Jet 710750 has a 1.75 horse motor. The guy at Woodcraft
says
> he can order me the Jet 710751, which has 3-horses, much like the Laguna
16"
> I wanted. If Laguna was down the street this would be a no brainer.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
You might also check out the Delta and Jet bandsaws at the Woodworking Shop
in Winston-Salem. If you ask, you might even get some hands-on time (have
something in the truck to sacrifice, I DON'T think they'll let you practice
on scrap pallets!).
Regards,
Rick