need a new resaw bandsaw

Cathy,

I would go with what I know. Cannot comment on either brand. It sounds like you are leaning toward the general machine. Are their any other factors?

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

I have a number of General Int. machines, including their 14” bandsaw. They have all been pretty dependable for me too. An 18” bandsaw sounds awesome!

-- Sometimes the creative process requires foul language. -- Charles Neil

In the reviews, they mention that changing the blade on the General is tricky. Frankly, changing the blade on the Laguna was always tricky. Unfortunately, I have an unused 166” blade that costs me $236 before shipping. I don’t know if it can be cut down and welded to a shorter length. Does anyone know that answer?
Then there is the issue of the Laguna saw. I suppose that I should shell out the money and buy the new motor and try to sell it. That seems like a total loss for me. Should I just give it away in it’s inoperable condition and let someone else get the motor? Not sure about that one….
Anyway, I need a saw!

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com

Important to atep away from the problem. What would you advise me if it were me asking?
How much is a motor? What is the phase and hp? You could sell the blade with the saw? Damned expensive blade! I think you would experience problems if the weld is not done correctly.

gotta go.I will check back later.

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

Cathy, yes the blade can be rewelded by the guys who make up blades. You do need the spot welder and the right clamps.

If I were going to buy a new motor, I would keep the machine.

Look at Rikon band saws. Woodcraft sells them here.

-- Big Al in IN

Motors do that sometimes. No reason to throw the
baby out with the bathwater. Replacing a motor
on most common woodworking machines is a simple
thing. Some mounts are proprietary but theses
would be uncommon on today’s band saws.

Agazzani makes a good saw. I might have read somewhere
the family sold the business a few years back and
the quality isn’t what it was, but I’m not sure
it was Agazzani.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

You are right about that Al. That’s the catch 22. It is the same issue a person addresses with an automobile. At what point are you tired of shelling out money to keep it running?
I won’t take a saw that won’t start, even if it were free. That said the body and belts and wheels are fine, but they don’t know that.
I think I’ll run an ad on Craig’s list and see if anyone responds. Then I’ll know whether or not to pay for a new motor that someone else will use. The motor will cost over $500 plus shipping. I don’t want to pay that money for nothing…....
Grrrrrrrr….......

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com

Googled it. Agazzani sold to Panhans around 2008 and
closed the Italian factory.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

I guess you are right about that Loren. In addition to the problems that I had with the bandsaw this year, the motor to my Laguna table saw burned out in the Spring. That’s why the smell coming from the bandsaw was so familiar and noxious. I bought the new motor for the table saw and for the past six months it has been running fine. Hmmm.

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com

What is Panhans?

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com

In your state I know a lot of things are hard to get and
expensive. Maybe a motor shop can take a look.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

Panhans is an Austrian or German machinery maker.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

I went through that with the table saw. NO ONE on Oahu is the lest bit interested in touching my Laguna. As soon as you say it was made in Italy, that’s the end of the conversation.

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com

If that is the only issue with the Laguna, I would replace the motor.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

Dang. I guess so. The new saw will cost over $2000 and that’s a lot more than $500 and shipping.
Like it or not, I’ll have to fix saw. Mark my words, my love affair with that machine is over! It has already let me down twice. Ironically, I was down at Woodcraft yesterday. The owner asked about the saw. I told him that I got it fixed and joked that I should sell it while it is still running! Holy cow, those were prophetic words!

-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com