Laguna LT16

[ri_craig]

I'm looking into getting a bandsaw. I am will to pay for a quality saw but not for a name. My question is the Laguna LT16 worth the money? I'm looking in the sub $2000 range. I appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks

Craig

[ri_craig]

I'm looking into getting a bandsaw. I am will to pay for a quality saw but not for a name. My question is the Laguna LT16 worth the money? I'm looking in the sub $2000 range. I appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks

Craig

[ri_craig]

I'm looking into getting a bandsaw. I am will to pay for a quality saw but not for a name. My question is the Laguna LT16 worth the money? I'm looking in the sub $2000 range. I appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks

Craig

[Doug Wood]

I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.

A good place to get some other opinions is the Knots forum on the Fine Woodworking web site. (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/index.asp)

[Doug Wood]

I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.

A good place to get some other opinions is the Knots forum on the Fine Woodworking web site. (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/index.asp)

[Doug Wood]

I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.

A good place to get some other opinions is the Knots forum on the Fine Woodworking web site. (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/index.asp)

[Hal Forsen]

I live about 15 minutes from the LT HQ and worked for a while selling woodworking machinery: I know of several people who've had bad experiences with the Laguna Tools people and their wares.
If you like that box frame style of BS I'd look at others. Eagle Tools imports some nice ones from Italy.
Edited to add: I think the saw Doug mentioned is the one Eagle tools sells.
Agazzani's I believe?
I like my cast iron Canadian General ;)
HF

[ 04-04-2006, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Hal Forsen ]

[Hal Forsen]

I live about 15 minutes from the LT HQ and worked for a while selling woodworking machinery: I know of several people who've had bad experiences with the Laguna Tools people and their wares.
If you like that box frame style of BS I'd look at others. Eagle Tools imports some nice ones from Italy.
Edited to add: I think the saw Doug mentioned is the one Eagle tools sells.
Agazzani's I believe?
I like my cast iron Canadian General ;)
HF

[ 04-04-2006, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Hal Forsen ]

[Hal Forsen]

I live about 15 minutes from the LT HQ and worked for a while selling woodworking machinery: I know of several people who've had bad experiences with the Laguna Tools people and their wares.
If you like that box frame style of BS I'd look at others. Eagle Tools imports some nice ones from Italy.
Edited to add: I think the saw Doug mentioned is the one Eagle tools sells.
Agazzani's I believe?
I like my cast iron Canadian General ;)
HF

[ 04-04-2006, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Hal Forsen ]

[Doug Wood]

Minimax USA (http://www.minimax-usa.com/)

[Doug Wood]

Minimax USA (http://www.minimax-usa.com/)

[Doug Wood]

Minimax USA (http://www.minimax-usa.com/)

[Lew Barrett]

I've been talking to the Minimax guys myself, and rather like their approach. Question is; how much better then an 18" Jet for much less? Of course, we are awaiting Paul's post re-introducing the Hitachi. :D :D The bandsaw thing really is an interesting dilemma because they all look so bloody much the same, and for the Euro brands at least, it's almost impossible to see them all before buying as they're all distributed direct by small operators. No easy way to hop over to Woodcraft to give 'em a run through.....
Lew

[ 04-04-2006, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: Lew Barrett ]

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Doug Wood:
I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.[/URL]One way to get a better price on Minimax gear...

Minimax go "on tour" with The Woodworking Show (http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/) (and other similar such shows.)

Evidently, they sell at quite a discount the demo tools from each show, especially their big combo machines (http://www.minimax-usa.com/cmachines.html): 12in sliding table tablesaw, tilting head reversible shaper/12" jointer/12" thickness planer/horizontal morticing machine, all in one package — sweet!.

Can't speak as to the bandsaws though, regarding the discount.

A friend of mine has the Minimax 20 inch bandsaw and it is one nice chunk of "new ahrn".

[edited to add]Fine Woodworking did a comparitive review of euro-style 16-inch bandsaws a couple years back. You might look it up on their web site. You can purchase the article for a couple o'shekels.

[ 04-04-2006, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Nicholas Carey ]

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Doug Wood:
I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.[/URL]One way to get a better price on Minimax gear...

Minimax go "on tour" with The Woodworking Show (http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/) (and other similar such shows.)

Evidently, they sell at quite a discount the demo tools from each show, especially their big combo machines (http://www.minimax-usa.com/cmachines.html): 12in sliding table tablesaw, tilting head reversible shaper/12" jointer/12" thickness planer/horizontal morticing machine, all in one package — sweet!.

Can't speak as to the bandsaws though, regarding the discount.

A friend of mine has the Minimax 20 inch bandsaw and it is one nice chunk of "new ahrn".

[edited to add]Fine Woodworking did a comparitive review of euro-style 16-inch bandsaws a couple years back. You might look it up on their web site. You can purchase the article for a couple o'shekels.

[ 04-04-2006, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Nicholas Carey ]

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Doug Wood:
I have no personal experience with this BS but folks who own them seem to like them. Laguna doesn't seem to have a very good reputation for customer service though, which is something you should probably consider. You may also want to look at the Mini-Max MM-16 saw in this price range. It's apparently a superb saw and the company appears to get high marks for customer support.[/URL]One way to get a better price on Minimax gear...

Minimax go "on tour" with The Woodworking Show (http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/) (and other similar such shows.)

Evidently, they sell at quite a discount the demo tools from each show, especially their big combo machines (http://www.minimax-usa.com/cmachines.html): 12in sliding table tablesaw, tilting head reversible shaper/12" jointer/12" thickness planer/horizontal morticing machine, all in one package — sweet!.

Can't speak as to the bandsaws though, regarding the discount.

A friend of mine has the Minimax 20 inch bandsaw and it is one nice chunk of "new ahrn".

[edited to add]Fine Woodworking did a comparitive review of euro-style 16-inch bandsaws a couple years back. You might look it up on their web site. You can purchase the article for a couple o'shekels.

[ 04-04-2006, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Nicholas Carey ]

[Bob Perkins]

I can speak from Experience:

I have the Mini-Max 16" Saw and it is excellent. (OK - I'm biased). It is very heavy and rock solid. You can balance a nickle on it side while it is running.

They do have very good customer service and a message board that the company watches. I've had mine for a few years now and would buy another if I had too.

Minimax will discount every machine they bring to a show because they don't want to ship it back. If you want a good discount - call them and buy the show model. They will assemble and calibrate it perfectly for you. Assembly and cleanup is a few hours work. Then pick it up when the show closes.

They will not ship multiple units to the show as I remember - so you need to be the first in line for the saw or you will pay shipping.

Get the wheely bar thing (tommy bar?) that helps you move it around. They will want to throw in saw blades as part of your *discount*. They are the crummy Olson blades.. don't get them - get something else as your discount item.

Go buy some nice Timberwolf blades - they are perfect.

Good Luck,
Bob

[Bob Perkins]

I can speak from Experience:

I have the Mini-Max 16" Saw and it is excellent. (OK - I'm biased). It is very heavy and rock solid. You can balance a nickle on it side while it is running.

They do have very good customer service and a message board that the company watches. I've had mine for a few years now and would buy another if I had too.

Minimax will discount every machine they bring to a show because they don't want to ship it back. If you want a good discount - call them and buy the show model. They will assemble and calibrate it perfectly for you. Assembly and cleanup is a few hours work. Then pick it up when the show closes.

They will not ship multiple units to the show as I remember - so you need to be the first in line for the saw or you will pay shipping.

Get the wheely bar thing (tommy bar?) that helps you move it around. They will want to throw in saw blades as part of your *discount*. They are the crummy Olson blades.. don't get them - get something else as your discount item.

Go buy some nice Timberwolf blades - they are perfect.

Good Luck,
Bob

[Bob Perkins]

I can speak from Experience:

I have the Mini-Max 16" Saw and it is excellent. (OK - I'm biased). It is very heavy and rock solid. You can balance a nickle on it side while it is running.

They do have very good customer service and a message board that the company watches. I've had mine for a few years now and would buy another if I had too.

Minimax will discount every machine they bring to a show because they don't want to ship it back. If you want a good discount - call them and buy the show model. They will assemble and calibrate it perfectly for you. Assembly and cleanup is a few hours work. Then pick it up when the show closes.

They will not ship multiple units to the show as I remember - so you need to be the first in line for the saw or you will pay shipping.

Get the wheely bar thing (tommy bar?) that helps you move it around. They will want to throw in saw blades as part of your *discount*. They are the crummy Olson blades.. don't get them - get something else as your discount item.

Go buy some nice Timberwolf blades - they are perfect.

Good Luck,
Bob

[J P]

We've had a Laguna 16HD in our shop for about a year and have found it to be a good saw. Haven't had any service issues so far. Other than a bigger Baldor motor I don't know what all the spec differences are from the LT.

[J P]

We've had a Laguna 16HD in our shop for about a year and have found it to be a good saw. Haven't had any service issues so far. Other than a bigger Baldor motor I don't know what all the spec differences are from the LT.

[gary porter]

We've had the standard LT16 for about,, must be close to ten years. I use it almost every day and have had no problems with it at all. The only time I had any dealing with the folks at Laguna other than buying the saw was to purchase a special resaw blade and again to buy the ceramic guides for an upgrade to it.
I can't really say I've had anything but good experience with them though the saw has never failed so haven't had any problems to deal with. There are many good saws ,,,the General included that I wouldn't mind having but I certainly would not hesitate buying another Laguna. I'd probably go with a bigger one for a second saw. I'd like to find an older Power Matic US made 14" saw, I'd buy that one if I could find it but would not get rid of the LT16.
Good Luck with watever you choose.
Gary