Let me start by saying I know only I can make this decision on my own but looking to get some opinions from the experts on you think i should do.
Just by way of background, I have alot of tools and alot of experience, however my experience is mainly in remodeling projects over many years..When i was a kid I worked alot with my older brother who was a carpenter to get extra money, which gave me alot of skills with then as I got older it became a way to save money in labor on my own home, and an excuse to buy my own tools. Fast forward 25-30 years later in my 40s I have alot of tools, all geared towards remodeling and now I am looking to settle into an actual basement shop (rather than my tools being in a 1000 different places in the house) and do some woodworking, something a little more thought provoking and relaxing than the carpenter related projects.
What I am realizing fairly quickly is i don't have some of the cornerstone tools of a woodworker, drill press, Band Saw a nice bench, chisels, planes etc. I do however have a router, sanders, and pretty well invested in the Festool system so a decent starting point. My struggle is if I really need a band saw, I've always said I'd never use one which is the reason i don't own one, but now that I have a more serious interest in (hybrid) Woodworking and some project plans picked out I am realizing these tools would make it alot easier and more enjoyable to complete.
So like an idiot i started researching them, and then got a super deal on a Laguna 1412, which I have on hold. I just keep questioning whether this is the right tool to really dive into Woodworking or i should hold off on it. I have looked for used ones for months and seen nothing that didn't need a complete rehab. Band saws are definitely fiddly tools and based on what i have seen i am leary of the used market on them. Money isn't an issue really but what is an issue is whether it makes sense for a guy like me to even get a band saw.
When you understand a bandsaw. There is no mystery. Although a few are truly fiddly, most are not.
A bandsaw like that is good for resawing. You could do some scrolling if you wanted. But mainly resawing. So I if that's not what you are getting it for I'd do a bit more reevaluating.
When you understand a bandsaw. There is no mystery. Although a few are truly fiddly, most are not.
A bandsaw like that is good for resawing. You could do some scrolling if you wanted. But mainly resawing. So I if that's not what you are getting it for I'd do a bit more reevaluating.
thanks for the reply…Yeah i'd like to have the option to resaw, but it's not a driving factor for me. i have a local kid who sells live edge stuff kiln dried for decent prices I imagine i will dabble with that..I see myself using it to cut tenons, scrolling and resawing overall.
But… usually the best way to go is to get your feet wet with a couple projects. Find the type of projects you want and go make them using what you have. When you struggle through the issues that come up on those projects, that will determine what tools you need. At that point, go and buy what you need for the next project and enjoy.
That is a nice saw though. If I had the budget I might have picked one like it. I ended up with a Grizzly G0555 variant. It needs some alignment work but simply having one is awesome - no comparison to a jigsaw. I've done a little resawing, some minimal "scroll" work, but mostly for longer shaping curves or small stuff that wouldn't be safe on the table saw. It's really versatile
You should get two bandsaws a small one and a big one. 14 inch and a 20 inch or bigger.
I use my bandsaws more then my table saw.
Bandsaws open up a whole new area of woodworking
But… usually the best way to go is to get your feet wet with a couple projects. Find the type of projects you want and go make them using what you have. When you struggle through the issues that come up on those projects, that will determine what tools you need. At that point, go and buy what you need for the next project and enjoy.
That is a nice saw though. If I had the budget I might have picked one like it. I ended up with a Grizzly G0555 variant. It needs some alignment work but simply having one is awesome - no comparison to a jigsaw. I ve done a little resawing, some minimal "scroll" work, but mostly for longer shaping curves or small stuff that wouldn t be safe on the table saw. It s really versatile
thank you! Very well said…I have a trusty jigsaw that i've had for years that i could use, but like you said I do understand it's just not the same workflow as a band saw. Good to hear the versatility is there…I should mention i'd like to have a shop with the capabilities that give me the option to get projects done with efficiency (since time with 3 kids is scarce) and fun. But that comes at a cost and it doesn't necessarily mean I need a band saw.
You should get two bandsaws a small one and a big one. 14 inch and a 20 inch or bigger.
I use my bandsaws more then my table saw.
Bandsaws open up a whole new area of woodworking
Hah! so riniging endorsement for the Band saw purchase here! lol…i will have to take it step by step but i was next to an 18 inch Laguna the other day and i was super impressed by it.
Of course you should. Are you going to make furniture? with graceful curves? Then yes you need a band saw. Are you going to make band saw boxes? You need a band saw. Do you want the ability to re-saw lumber into different thicknesses? Then yes, you need a band saw.
The 1412 is a good saw but it's still a 14 wheel.
Bigger saws use longer blades that last longer have stiffer frames. And bigger table. I never thought I would want a saw bigger then my 20inch but I do. It has a 14 ft blade and will cut circles around my pm 14.
Good luck
Of course you should. Are you going to make furniture? with graceful curves? Then yes you need a band saw. Are you going to make band saw boxes? You need a band saw. Do you want the ability to re-saw lumber into different thicknesses? Then yes, you need a band saw.
Of course you should. Are you going to make furniture? with graceful curves? Then yes you need a band saw. Are you going to make band saw boxes? You need a band saw. Do you want the ability to re-saw lumber into different thicknesses? Then yes, you need a band saw.
all good points…Thanks for the input and covering most of what I have my eye on doing with a band saw…first project is a band saw box…Second is going to pull me away from it a bit, I want to build a dumbed down Roubo bench. I figure i could try cutting tenons on it. after that who knows. That alone will probably take 6 months to get done with.
I gave away two or three Craftsman before I bought a Powermatic. I was not and many years later remain not disappointed in spending the money. What a HUGE difference there is between Craftsman toys and a real bandsaw.
I wouldn't part with my cabinet saw for love nor money, but my bandsaws (now I have one for re-saw and one for scrolling) see more use than does my table saw.
For a quick rough cut of a small pieces, it's a lot safer than the table saw. Unlike the table saw, it can scroll. Then there is the re-saw thing.
Laguna Resaw King 3/4". Still cuts hardwood like butter after a year. I'm not advocating for the expensive blade or really even for Laguna. It's just that I spent 2 years trying to get a subpar BS to do what the 1412 does without batting an eye.
I just bought my 3rd bandsaw a Jet - 14" Model JWBS-14CS. I turned my delta 14" Platinum Edition bandsaw into a belt sander. I put together a good home brew metal backing platen for it. It works very well. I buy ¾ inch sanding belts for it from woodworker's supply. I also have an 18 inch jet bandsaw I use for re-sawing, milling, cutting blanks for my lathe, etc..
I enjoy using all of my wood working tools, but my favorite tools are bandsaws and lathes.
Having said that, I worked for a propane company as a service tech for over 30 years, just retired this last march. In all of the hobby and, pro wood shops I saw over the years, the owners seldom or never used their bandsaw. And most talked about selling the one they had.
I just never understood that. I think a bandsaw is one of the most versatile wood shop tools there is.
The question is what size do you get, not if I should buy one. The size depends what you plan on cutting with it. And the tooth count. If resawing, then your looking at the maximum cutting height needed ( 6", 10", 12", etc. ). For scroll sawing, get a good scroll saw also.
I just bought my 3rd bandsaw a Jet - 14" Model JWBS-14CS. I turned my delta 14" Platinum Edition bandsaw into a belt sander. I put together a good home brew metal backing platen for it. It works very well. I buy ¾ inch sanding belts for it from woodworker s supply. I also have an 18 inch jet bandsaw I use for re-sawing, milling, cutting blanks for my lathe, etc..
I enjoy using all of my wood working tools, but my favorite tools are bandsaws and lathes.
Having said that, I worked for a propane company as a service tech for over 30 years, just retired this last march. In all of the hobby and, pro wood shops I saw over the years, the owners seldom or never used their bandsaw. And most talked about selling the one they had.
I just never understood that. I think a bandsaw is one of the most versatile wood shop tools there is.
this^^ is kind of what i am referring to. I feel like alot of people feel this way about the band saw. I was actually talking to my neighbor about it, he's a handy guy with some tools and he said don't get one you will never use it. I think it's advice like that and the fact I know of very few people who actually have one and use it alot. I don't want to be in that position where I am looking to sell it in a year.
I am by no means looking to use it everyday (it's not for production just hobby) for it to feel justified, heck if I use it once twice a month that would be plenty. My guess is there will be times i am all over it using it and then other times when other things take my time away from me and it sits. I just want to hear from people who do own them what their experience is and how they feel about their purchases after the fact. Based on the responses here it's a smart purchase. lol
Congrats on your retirement btw…Now you have PLENTY of time to use your equipment!
I know people who use their bandsaws daily. Some would give-up their table saws before they part with their bandsaws. Not me. In order of importance the large machines in my shop are:
My bench is perhaps my most important large piece, but it's not a machine (obviously).
You mentioned that you had some large pieces equipment, but I didn't see a table saw on your list. As I said, some people function very well with a bandsaw alone, but (I think) most of us prefer a table saw for precision, accuracy and repeatability. Ripping, cross cutting, miter cuts, dados and other precision straight cuts are more accurate and much easier on a table saw. These cuts are the meat and potatoes of flat-work woodworking. You will need a way to dress and dimension stock. This is where the jointer and the planer come into play. You can do it by hand with hand planes and that is rewarding in its own way, but it takes a long time and produces a lot of sweat. For drilling precision holes, you need a drill press, and one can double as a drum sander. The one function at which a bandsaw excels is resewing thicker boards into thinner ones. This is not an everyday operation for most of us and there are other ways of doing it but they have their limitations; and doing it by hand is labor intensive. You can saw curves with a hand held jig saw, but a band saw does it better in many cases. Again, sawing curves is not an everyday operation in flat-work woodworking. If it were me just starting out with serious woodworking, I would purchase the machines in the order I listed above. The bandsaw is certainly on the list, but it is not at the top.
By the way, I have a Laguna LT18 bandsaw. Laguna makes a nice saw.
I should qualify this by saying that everybody has their own unique style of working and there will be many who disagree with my comments and preferences here, so take them with a grain of salt.
Don't have a bandsaw. Always wanted one, but never got around to it. 30 years into this hobby, I still would only use one maybe two or three times a year (and then I just use a jigsaw).
Tablesaw is almost daily.
I STILL want a bandsaw. If I had it, I'd probably find many more uses for it. But, realistically, I doubt that I'd ever really have to resaw, and my tendency is to think I'd probably most use a fairly small one. So, two or three times a year I spend a few hours trying to find a moderately-sized, sturdy, reliable-forever band saw I'm willing to spend the money on. But, as I said, 30 years into woodworking and no bandsaw yet.
You should get two bandsaws a small one and a big one. 14 inch and a 20 inch or bigger.
I use my bandsaws more then my table saw.
Bandsaws open up a whole new area of woodworking
Yes, sorry forgot to mention that, I have a bosch 4100 jobsite saw with the gravity rise…It's not my dream saw by any means, but it's served me well over the years and i put a Forrest blade on it a couple years back which really changed how it performed. I am building a cross cut sled for it as I type. Like i said not my dream saw, but I figure i will get one large tool a year or every other year. No need to replace a tool I have now is the way i look at it. Band saw is just a blatant gap in my cutting tools, don't have anything that can do what it does. Jigsaw doesn't count to me..And quite honestly aside from all it's shortcomings the 4100 is a damn accurate little saw.
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