Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a XXXX
Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I spend
that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
investment potential of a band saw.
How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in the
future.....
Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Rich
On Tue, 04 May 2004 08:25:57 -0500, Lazarus Long
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Regarding the bandsaw, as someone else posted, this a machine with a
>surprising amount of utility. Resawing is only one thing. It's also
>great for curved work, cutting a small notch, ect. ect. Things that
>took significant setup time on the TS go much much quicker on the
>bandsaw.
Not to mention slower, safer, and more predictable than rotating
cutters when working with small parts, or rough, unpredictable wood.
Barry
RKON wrote:
> Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a XXXX
> Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I spend
> that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
> equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> investment potential of a band saw.
>
> How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in the
> future.....
>
> Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
> Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Rich
>
I bought the MiniMax because I needed to resaw a bunch of wood "now". I
had thought about it for about a year before hand but never really set
my mind on a unit until the need arose.
The declining dollar/euro has (in my mind) made the Laguna/MiniMax
advantage much less clear in dollar value over the Asian machines.
If you don't need to do heavy resawing "now", in my opinion a
Jet/Griz/Delta would probably be a good choice with the caveat that you
could sell it for a good fraction of purchase price (75%?) should you
wish to upgrade several years from now..
-Bruce
>
>
>
>
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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RKON wrote:
> Bruce:
>
>
>
>>The declining dollar/euro has (in my mind) made the Laguna/MiniMax
>>advantage much less clear in dollar value over the Asian machines.
>
> Have they really gone down? I recently seen on the Laguna or Mini Max site
> that prices were going up. I agree with your reasoning that the value of
> dollar in comparison to the Euro should cause prices to be stable, be cut,
> or some freebies.
>
I paid about $1600 for the Minimax 16 less than a year ago. They now are
$2100 on their web site.
>
>>If you don't need to do heavy resawing "now", in my opinion a
>>Jet/Griz/Delta would probably be a good choice with the caveat that you
>>could sell it for a good fraction of purchase price (75%?) should you
>>wish to upgrade several years from now..
>
> What is heavy resawing? and if I could do heavy resawing how would it apply
> to my woodworking as a newbie? That is my biggest dilemna, i don't see
> where it is applicable in wood working.
>
Others may say otherwise 8^), but to me it's resawing 1" x 15" white oak
into thin panels. I also wanted to slice up some "firewood" to see
what is inside. The more expensive saws will allow a wider blade to be
tensioned (much beefier construction) and they have more horsepower to
avoid bogging down.
> With that in mind, my tendency has been towards a 14" Jet/Griz/Delta.
Probably perfect for 99% of what you might face now and in the future!
-Bruce
>
>
> Thanks, I appreciate your feedback.
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks, that really has been my thinking.
>
> "BruceR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>RKON wrote:
>>
>>>Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
>>>afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
>
> XXXX
>
>>>Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
>
> spend
>
>>>that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in
>
> good
>
>>>equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
>>>investment potential of a band saw.
>>>
>>>How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
>
> the
>
>>>future.....
>>>
>>>Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>>>
>>>Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance
>>>
>>>Rich
>>>
>>
>>I bought the MiniMax because I needed to resaw a bunch of wood "now". I
>>had thought about it for about a year before hand but never really set
>>my mind on a unit until the need arose.
>>The declining dollar/euro has (in my mind) made the Laguna/MiniMax
>>advantage much less clear in dollar value over the Asian machines.
>>If you don't need to do heavy resawing "now", in my opinion a
>>Jet/Griz/Delta would probably be a good choice with the caveat that you
>>could sell it for a good fraction of purchase price (75%?) should you
>>wish to upgrade several years from now..
>>
>>-Bruce
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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>>http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>>-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
>
>
>
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
I got a DJ-20 a couple of years ago. Wow, what a great jointer. You
won't regret that purchase. BTW, mine was flawless out of the crate.
Some have reported issues that were resolved by Delta.
Regarding the bandsaw, as someone else posted, this a machine with a
surprising amount of utility. Resawing is only one thing. It's also
great for curved work, cutting a small notch, ect. ect. Things that
took significant setup time on the TS go much much quicker on the
bandsaw. Given the finish quality of the cut, I don't think I'll ever
use the bandsaw to rip or make tenons, but otherwise I really like it
and have found it much more useful than I would have predicted.
So if the big money for a Laguna is a worry, get a smaller unit, a 14"
and give it a try. There'll be someone to take it off your hands
if/when you decide to upgrade to the big machine.
On Mon, 3 May 2004 16:53:02 -0400, "RKON" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
>afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a XXXX
>Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I spend
>that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
>equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
>investment potential of a band saw.
>
>How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in the
>future.....
>
>Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
>Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Rich
>
>
>
>
On Mon, 3 May 2004 16:53:02 -0400, "RKON" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
Yes, because there are always bargains to be had from schmucks like me
who are selling their barely-used old machines to upgrade to this sort
of kit. Of course, that itself might be a hint that a really _good_
bandsaw is worth having after all....
Buy whatever you want. You won't regret it. bandsaws are one of those
machines that turns out to be far more useful than you ever expected.
A smaller bandsaw is also a useful machine that you won't regret
buying. Of course the bigger machine is better, but we don't all have
as much money / space as we'd like. Should you get a big machine, or a
smaller machine and a truckload of timber ? Decisions, decisions.....
Entry point for a useful bandsaw is a good brand, 14" wheels, a steel
frame, a decent motor and a good range of the best blades you can find
(they matter - get good ones, and get the right ones). Copy of
Duginske won't go amiss either.
With that, you can do an awful lot. You can saw profiles in a fairly
big piece of plywood. You can resaw to a useful size. You can even do
the best stuff, like sawing curved splats for a chair back, or making
accurately fitting "straight off the saw" tenons in seconds.
If you want to resaw wide boards, then go for an 18" machine straight
off, no question.
If you want to saw weird profiles in plywood, make a couple of decent
saw horses and buy a really good jigsaw (Bosch barrel-body, about
£100). This will saw enclosed curves too.
Given the price break on mass-market 14" machines compared to
specialist 18" machines, there's a good argument for "trying things
out" with a good 14". You'll upgrade in a few years, but you'll learn
a lot, maybe avoiding wasting some big money, and you can always sell
it on later. If you've a stack of cash and you're buying for the long
haul, then go straight to that 18".
And Laguna or MiniMax are certainly machines to look at.
BTW - If you're commercial and you've outdoor space, look at a
Wood-mizer too. It's a bit obscure, but I get a lot of use out of
one, just resawing 2" boards down for furniture making.
--
Smert' spamionam
On Mon, 3 May 2004 21:21:50 -0400, "Mike G"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Don't get me wrong, top of the line iron is nice but totally useless if you
>don't know what to do with it.
I agree, but there's a minimum.
Take routers for instance. A really cheap router will probably ruin
the price difference in wood in no time. A bottom of the line
tablesaw is easily outdone by a good handheld saw and guide.
Harbor Freight edge tools will quickly drive a user to another
pursuit.
I always suggest books and classes, along with good, used tools. The
books and classes go a long way towards knowing what to look for when
shopping.
Barry
In article <Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05>,
RKON <[email protected]> wrote:
>Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
>afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a XXXX
>Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I spend
>that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
>equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
>investment potential of a band saw.
>
>How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in the
>future.....
>
>Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
>Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
If you _don't_know_ *why* you need it, then the best advice is:
*DON'T*BUY*IT* at this time!!
Somewhere down the road, you'll figure out, either when planning out a project
in advance -- *or* in the middle of one that's gotten out of hand -- that
'*damn* this would be so much easier if only I had a band saw!' *That* is
the time to go shopping -- you've identified the 'need', and know what to
look for to fill it.
Mike:
Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for one
those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or LN
planes.
>Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop and
> work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
I have wanted to do wooddorking for 15 years and I finally am at the point
in my career where I don't travel, have time separate from the family, and
money to buy tools. I have bought some books, I did take a class, I have
been reading the wreck for over a year, and I haven't found a mentor as of
yet.
Rich
"Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Frankly, and if you will pardon my saying so, it really doesn't matter if
> you've got more money then Bill Gates. If you don't know, without asking,
> why you should buy any tool and what it will or will not do for you your
> efforts and money would be better spent on learning a bit more about
> woodworking the old fashion way.
>
> All these pronouncements from on high about buying the best you can is
> pretty much BS. Tools don't make a woodworker, knowledge and acquired
skill
> does.
>
> Don't get me wrong, top of the line iron is nice but totally useless if
you
> don't know what to do with it.
>
> Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop
and
> work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
>
>
> Good luck
>
> --
> Mike G.
> [email protected]
> Heirloom Woods
> www.heirloom-woods.net
> "RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> > Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> > afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
> XXXX
> > Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
> spend
> > that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in
good
> > equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> > investment potential of a band saw.
> >
> > How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
> the
> > future.....
> >
> > Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
> >
> > Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Rich
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
RKON notes:
>Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
>afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for one
>those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
>years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
>inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or LN
>planes.
It is difficult to determine what someone else is going to need down the road.
It's difficult, after all, to know what you're going to need yourself in a few
years so guiding someone else into the future is a truly iffy thing. Examine
one point when it comes to bandsaws: Are you aiming at doing a lot of resawing
of wide woods? The 14" Delta is a good bandsaw, one I was happy with for a
long, long time, but its basic resaw limit is about 6". That can be changed
with a riser kit, but consistent resawing of wider woods will also require a
power upgrade. I do know several people who are professionals, one of them an
instrument maker (dulcimers, guitars, violins) who has used the Delta 14"
successfully and happily for more than a decade, with a riser block installed.
Offhand, I don't recall what motor James has on his, but it is not the original
3/4 HP.
My preference in 14" bandsaws is the Delta, primarily because the under-table
guides are closer to the table than in other saws. It takes an adjustment more
easily and seems to me to hold it longer because of that.
Buying the best does NOT have to mean immediately jumping on the largest and
most expensive tool in any particular category, IMO. Buying the best means
selecting a size and capacity that works for your current capabilities and that
you expect to suit your capabilities for the foreseeable future.
Then, go for it and don't look back. If you decide a decade from now that you
want to resaw massively wide wood, buy a resaw bandsaw at that time. In the
meantime, the Delta will be a great all purpose tool.
Charlie Self
"An unfulfilled vocation drains the color from a man's entire existence."
Honore de Balzac
On 04 May 2004 08:38:15 GMT, [email protected] (Charlie Self)
wrote:
>Then, go for it and don't look back. If you decide a decade from now that you
>want to resaw massively wide wood, buy a resaw bandsaw at that time. In the
>meantime, the Delta will be a great all purpose tool.
No one has mentioned "outsourcing", as in the good kind.
For instance:
If I need an atypical machine function done, I can have my wood dealer
do it (cheapest), rent some time at a local school (mid-cost), or have
a small cabinet shop right down the street do it (highest dollar cost,
lowest time cost).
I can pay for quite a bit of shop time before I break even on ONE
multi-thousand dollar, large tool.
In the meantime, I can do 99% of my work with typical machines, like
14" bandsaws, 6-8" jointers, etc... A side benefit is that I'm not
losing the space, all the time, that the larger machines would take
up.
That said, I did go large on a table saw, as this is one tool that
gets constantly used.
Barry
> A while back I had a shot at a nearly new Jet 18", including three
> blades, for the same price as the Delta. I used the exact same pair
> of saws you did, and bought the Delta. I looked and looked for a used
> example, struck out, and by that time had saved up enough for the X5
> on sale.
I have been looking at bargain news and the courant classifieds for months.
I found only 1. When I called it was already sold. At this point I'm most
likely going to buy new.
Rich
When I took a class at my local woodcraft they had the Delta 14" and the Jet
18" and I found myself gravitating towards the Delta 14". Dunno why. Maybe
it had good karma.
I'm going to take a ride out to coastaltool.com and tools-plus.com (lucky to
live close to them) today and take a look at them. I'm going to wait till
after my next class in a couple of weeks before I finally decide because my
shop is almost done. Some wiring and more lights.
The one thing I promised my self about woodworking as a hobby. Was that
after waiting 15 years to do this I am going to take my time and not rush,
this will be the only part in my life where time doesn't matter.
Rich
"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> RKON notes:
>
> >Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
> >afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for
one
> >those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
> >years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
> >inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or
LN
> >planes.
>
> It is difficult to determine what someone else is going to need down the
road.
> It's difficult, after all, to know what you're going to need yourself in a
few
> years so guiding someone else into the future is a truly iffy thing.
Examine
> one point when it comes to bandsaws: Are you aiming at doing a lot of
resawing
> of wide woods? The 14" Delta is a good bandsaw, one I was happy with for a
> long, long time, but its basic resaw limit is about 6". That can be
changed
> with a riser kit, but consistent resawing of wider woods will also require
a
> power upgrade. I do know several people who are professionals, one of them
an
> instrument maker (dulcimers, guitars, violins) who has used the Delta 14"
> successfully and happily for more than a decade, with a riser block
installed.
> Offhand, I don't recall what motor James has on his, but it is not the
original
> 3/4 HP.
>
> My preference in 14" bandsaws is the Delta, primarily because the
under-table
> guides are closer to the table than in other saws. It takes an adjustment
more
> easily and seems to me to hold it longer because of that.
>
> Buying the best does NOT have to mean immediately jumping on the largest
and
> most expensive tool in any particular category, IMO. Buying the best means
> selecting a size and capacity that works for your current capabilities and
that
> you expect to suit your capabilities for the foreseeable future.
>
> Then, go for it and don't look back. If you decide a decade from now that
you
> want to resaw massively wide wood, buy a resaw bandsaw at that time. In
the
> meantime, the Delta will be a great all purpose tool.
>
>
> Charlie Self
> "An unfulfilled vocation drains the color from a man's entire existence."
> Honore de Balzac
RKON writes:
>When I took a class at my local woodcraft they had the Delta 14" and the Jet
>18" and I found myself gravitating towards the Delta 14". Dunno why. Maybe
>it had good karma.
More likely a good "feel". It may also be a bit less intimidating because of
its smaller physical size.
>The one thing I promised my self about woodworking as a hobby. Was that
>after waiting 15 years to do this I am going to take my time and not rush,
>this will be the only part in my life where time doesn't matter.
Good. Best way to do it. Besides, the planning is almost as much fun as the
doing.
Remember that "almost", though.
Charlie Self
"An unfulfilled vocation drains the color from a man's entire existence."
Honore de Balzac
On Tue, 4 May 2004 07:18:58 -0400, "RKON" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>When I took a class at my local woodcraft they had the Delta 14" and the Jet
>18" and I found myself gravitating towards the Delta 14". Dunno why. Maybe
>it had good karma.
A while back I had a shot at a nearly new Jet 18", including three
blades, for the same price as the Delta. I used the exact same pair
of saws you did, and bought the Delta. I looked and looked for a used
example, struck out, and by that time had saved up enough for the X5
on sale.
Barry
RKON wrote:
> Mike:
>
> Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
> afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for one
> those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
> years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
> inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or LN
> planes.
>
If you're going to be using planes, why not consider
downsizing/downbranding the DJ-20 rather than the saws? Go with a
Grizzly jointer (maybe even the same capacity as the Delta) and high-end
TS, BS, and planes.
Bruce:
> The declining dollar/euro has (in my mind) made the Laguna/MiniMax
> advantage much less clear in dollar value over the Asian machines.
Have they really gone down? I recently seen on the Laguna or Mini Max site
that prices were going up. I agree with your reasoning that the value of
dollar in comparison to the Euro should cause prices to be stable, be cut,
or some freebies.
> If you don't need to do heavy resawing "now", in my opinion a
> Jet/Griz/Delta would probably be a good choice with the caveat that you
> could sell it for a good fraction of purchase price (75%?) should you
> wish to upgrade several years from now..
What is heavy resawing? and if I could do heavy resawing how would it apply
to my woodworking as a newbie? That is my biggest dilemna, i don't see
where it is applicable in wood working.
With that in mind, my tendency has been towards a 14" Jet/Griz/Delta.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback.
Rich
Thanks, that really has been my thinking.
"BruceR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> RKON wrote:
> > Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> > afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
XXXX
> > Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
spend
> > that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in
good
> > equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> > investment potential of a band saw.
> >
> > How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
the
> > future.....
> >
> > Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
> >
> > Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Rich
> >
>
> I bought the MiniMax because I needed to resaw a bunch of wood "now". I
> had thought about it for about a year before hand but never really set
> my mind on a unit until the need arose.
> The declining dollar/euro has (in my mind) made the Laguna/MiniMax
> advantage much less clear in dollar value over the Asian machines.
> If you don't need to do heavy resawing "now", in my opinion a
> Jet/Griz/Delta would probably be a good choice with the caveat that you
> could sell it for a good fraction of purchase price (75%?) should you
> wish to upgrade several years from now..
>
> -Bruce
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
Hi Rich
Ok, lets look three years down the road.
It's been my experience that all most all woodworkers, as they get more
experienced, gravitate towards one particular form of woodworking with only
occasional forays into other projects.
Some do jewelry boxes, some turn bowls, some do picture frames, some scroll
work, some toys, some cradles, some musical instruments, and on and on.
All these disciplines put different emphasizes on what the most important
tools in the shop are as well as your methods of work. IE, whether you ado a
lot of resawing.
If you feel you have to have a bandsaw right now and we don't know where
you will be three years from now there are two ways too look at it.
You can go for the Laguna or MM and be pretty well equipped to meet any
bandsaw needs and take the chance you will find yourself over equipped three
years from now.
You can buy the Delta or Jet, good machines both, and find yourself
adequately equipped for any bandsaw needs three years from now. If you do
find yourself, three years from now, frequently in positions where, though I
can't imagine what they would be, the Jet or Delta doesn't do the job, you
will have a saleable machine and can replace it with a top end one.
It's not like we are talking Harbor Freight mainland China import vs. the
finest in European over engineering and building here.
Note to those who are wetting their pants about now. Yes, I know that both
the Delta and Jet are probably, to some extent, made in Asia but there is a
world of difference in quality control between Jet and Delta and Harbor
Freight. I'm also almost willing to give good odds that Laguna and MM have,
at the least, some outsourced parts on them.
Unfortunately we don't know where, in respect to woodworking, you will be
three years from now so, even thought it isn't my money, I would really hate
to give an definitive answer. Only time and experience will give the
ultimate answer to the question.
The long and the short of it is that for multi thousands of woodworkers,
both hobbyist and commercial, the Jet and Delta do the job one hundred
percent of the time. For a small fraction of those thousands, almost surely
mostly commercial users, Jet and Delta doesn't some percentage of the time
and the Laguna and MM is necessary.
As they say, "you pays your money and take your chances".
Which ever way you go, good luck
Mike
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:JCClc.11036$iy5.10892@okepread05...
> Mike:
>
> Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
> afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for
one
> those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
> years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
> inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or LN
> planes.
>
> >Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop
and
> > work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> > need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
>
> I have wanted to do wooddorking for 15 years and I finally am at the point
> in my career where I don't travel, have time separate from the family, and
> money to buy tools. I have bought some books, I did take a class, I have
> been reading the wreck for over a year, and I haven't found a mentor as of
> yet.
>
> Rich
>
>
>
> "Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Frankly, and if you will pardon my saying so, it really doesn't matter
if
> > you've got more money then Bill Gates. If you don't know, without
asking,
> > why you should buy any tool and what it will or will not do for you your
> > efforts and money would be better spent on learning a bit more about
> > woodworking the old fashion way.
> >
> > All these pronouncements from on high about buying the best you can is
> > pretty much BS. Tools don't make a woodworker, knowledge and acquired
> skill
> > does.
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, top of the line iron is nice but totally useless if
> you
> > don't know what to do with it.
> >
> > Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop
> and
> > work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> > need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
> >
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > --
> > Mike G.
> > [email protected]
> > Heirloom Woods
> > www.heirloom-woods.net
> > "RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> > > Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> > > afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
> > XXXX
> > > Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
> > spend
> > > that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in
> good
> > > equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> > > investment potential of a band saw.
> > >
> > > How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but
in
> > the
> > > future.....
> > >
> > > Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
> > >
> > > Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Rich
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Frankly, and if you will pardon my saying so, it really doesn't matter if
you've got more money then Bill Gates. If you don't know, without asking,
why you should buy any tool and what it will or will not do for you your
efforts and money would be better spent on learning a bit more about
woodworking the old fashion way.
All these pronouncements from on high about buying the best you can is
pretty much BS. Tools don't make a woodworker, knowledge and acquired skill
does.
Don't get me wrong, top of the line iron is nice but totally useless if you
don't know what to do with it.
Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop and
work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
Good luck
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
XXXX
> Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
spend
> that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
> equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> investment potential of a band saw.
>
> How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
the
> future.....
>
> Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
> Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
I see this as allot like the Unisaw vs. contractor saw debate.
Do doubt, it's great to have a Unisaw, it's worth it. No one is going to say
that it is a waste, but many will say that a quality contractor saw is
perfectly adequate for most hobbyists.
I doubt there are many if us that started out with a Unisaw.
That said a fully equipped Delta 14" BS (1.5hp, riser kit and fence) is $1K.
There are 17" models with 12" resaw capacity for less. I think those bare
consideration as well.
An extra $1K (price differental between a MM16 and a TOL Delta 14") can buy
allot of wood or someother quality tooliing.
-Steve
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
XXXX
> Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
spend
> that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
> equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> investment potential of a band saw.
>
> How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
the
> future.....
>
> Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
> Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
XXXX
> Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
spend
> that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
> equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> investment potential of a band saw.
>
> How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
the
> future.....
>
> Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
> Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Rich
Rich:
Purely by coincidence I was talking to Mark Duginske today re a class of his
in July. He had been at the Milwaukee Woodworking in February demo'ing the
MiniMax, but I remembered that he had also been quoted in the ads praising
Aggazzanis. I asked him about that and he said that he thought both of them
were excellent saws. When we turned to my Laguna he said that the importer
had recently been having them produced in Bulgaria and that quality had
slipped. Mine was an early model made in Italy of which he approved (whew).
In short, the MiniMax is worth the bucks, according to an expert.
Bob
>
>Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop and
>work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
>need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
>
>
>Good luck
==================
I still have not purchased any books... but I have purchased plenty
of magazines !
I have been serious about woodworking for over 40 years now...AND I
honestly have to agree with your statement...
The key word is NEED.... and need is not defined in any dictionary
as WANT....
Bob Griffiths
On Mon, 3 May 2004 16:53:02 -0400, "RKON" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
>afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a XXXX
>Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I spend
>that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
>equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
>investment potential of a band saw.
>
>How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in the
>future.....
>
>Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
>Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Rich
>
I have a Delta 14". It was my first bandsaw and no regrets. If you
do a lot of woodworking you will probably want to resaw some boards,
although there are other ways to get around this. Resawing allows you
to have mirrored "bookmarked" wood patterns which looks really nice.
Resawing can save wood. You could buy a dedicated resaw machine if
you have the space/money. It is not overkill to buy Laguna or
MiniMax. One reason I bought the Delta was the availability of the
parts and blades in local stores (this is a common bandsaw).
Rich -
I'm a newbie myself - I've been seriously pursuing ww for about a year and
an half now. For what it's worth (maybe not much!) I'll tell you some of
the things I've learned (which just scratches the surface of the total
amount of stuff there is to lean about this craft).
With respect to tools, you should buy the best you can afford. While your
skill maybe in its "infancy" right now, with practice, you'll improve, and
when you do, you want to have the right tools to take it to the next level.
Also, tools that are truly "good" make the job easier, cleaner, faster, you
name it. Poor quality tools often don't do a good job, and you end up
ruining things and having to re-do them, or struggling and getting
frustrated with something and abandoning it.
The other thing is, for instance on your bandsaw, you may think you'll never
resaw, so a 14" is "good enough", as your skill improves, so does your
confidence, and you'll start looking to bigger challenges. Things you
thought you had no interest in, or could "never master" all of a sudden, you
think, "...I be I could do that!" So, now you've been happily cutting small
bandsaw boxes on your bandsaw, all of a sudden, you come across some really
great rough sawn wood, or even a small log - with you're new found
confidence, you say, "...all I really need to make my own boards is some way
to hold it up and level to the blade!" Trouble is, you have a 14" bandsaw
with a 4" capacity, and an 8" or 12" log.....
The other important thing is the "..you can afford" part of "buy the best
you can afford", and you have to fit that into your decision. For example,
after doing research, I decided the best jointer for me was an 8" Delta or
Jet. I was at an auction and found a 6" Jet, almost new, and I got it for
$275. After doing research, I decided that the Delta 18" was the right
bandsaw for me. When I was at another auction, I found a Bridgewood 14",
again hardly used, and I got it for $200. On both of these, I saved a ton
of money, and for now they'll do what I need them to do. After using the Jet
Jointer, I've found several instances where an 8" would have come in handy -
I found a 71/2" piece of 8/4 10' long, rough sawn white oak at an auction -
whoops, I have to cut it down to less than 6" to use it on my jointer
(bought it anyway!). I'll probably end up with an 8" or 12"
Delta/Powermatic/Jet jointer in the future, but for the difference in price,
for now, the 6" I bought for $275 was right for me - I could afford it, and
it does most of what I need.
Sorry to have rambled - hope this helps -
Nick B
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
XXXX
> Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
spend
> that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in good
> equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> investment potential of a band saw.
>
> How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but in
the
> future.....
>
> Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
>
> Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Rich
>
>
>
>
>
So, go with the Delta or Jet - use the extra money to buy more wood - if you
decide later that you want something bigger later, you'll get some money out
of the Delta or Jet (or keep it to do smaller stuff). You can also get a
riser block for the Jet (not sure on the Delta) if you decide that you want
to resaw - I think that makes it capable of resawing up to 6" wide stock set
on edge.
Sounds like you're on track! This is really fun stuff - hope you enjoy it!!
Nick B
"RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:JCClc.11036$iy5.10892@okepread05...
> Mike:
>
> Almost everyone will give advice on buy the best you can afford. I can
> afford a Mini Max or a Laguna. However, I don't see the justifcation for
one
> those machines. Am I making a mistake in buying a 14" BS and realizing 3
> years from now I shoulda bought the MM or Laguna? At this point I am
> inclined to get the Delta or Jet 14" and spend the extra bucks on LV or LN
> planes.
>
> >Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop
and
> > work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> > need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
>
> I have wanted to do wooddorking for 15 years and I finally am at the point
> in my career where I don't travel, have time separate from the family, and
> money to buy tools. I have bought some books, I did take a class, I have
> been reading the wreck for over a year, and I haven't found a mentor as of
> yet.
>
> Rich
>
>
>
> "Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Frankly, and if you will pardon my saying so, it really doesn't matter
if
> > you've got more money then Bill Gates. If you don't know, without
asking,
> > why you should buy any tool and what it will or will not do for you your
> > efforts and money would be better spent on learning a bit more about
> > woodworking the old fashion way.
> >
> > All these pronouncements from on high about buying the best you can is
> > pretty much BS. Tools don't make a woodworker, knowledge and acquired
> skill
> > does.
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, top of the line iron is nice but totally useless if
> you
> > don't know what to do with it.
> >
> > Buy a couple of books, take a course, find a mentor, go out to the shop
> and
> > work with what you have, but, for god's sake, if you don't know what you
> > need a bandsaw for why the hell are you worried about it?
> >
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > --
> > Mike G.
> > [email protected]
> > Heirloom Woods
> > www.heirloom-woods.net
> > "RKON" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:Xhylc.10582$iy5.4943@okepread05...
> > > Over the past year I have heard over and over to buy the best you can
> > > afford. I ready to take the plunge and purchase a DJ20 Jointer and a
> > XXXX
> > > Bandsaw. I have the money to afford a very good bandsaw. Why should I
> > spend
> > > that much and buy a Laguna or a Mini Max? Yes, I plan on investing in
> good
> > > equipment. However, as a newbie I do not fully understand the full
> > > investment potential of a band saw.
> > >
> > > How do I know I need a machine for resawing? I may not do it now but
in
> > the
> > > future.....
> > >
> > > Is it overkill to buy the Laguna or Mini Max?
> > >
> > > Any advice on what to consider is greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Rich
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>