Tool decision

I would go for a Rikon 18” and the Grizzly GO691.
Could probably have both for what the Laguna sells for alone.
Plus, I know the Rikon and Grizzly are great machines while I read horror stories about Laguna customer service, or lack there of. But I don’t own any Laguna products myself so I can’t say they are bad, just check it out, because there are lots of negative comments made.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

That particular Laguna model is well regarded, but if you’re just a hobbyist I don’t think it’s good enough to trump another good BS AND a good cabinet saw. At least not to me….you gain so much more capability having both tools. The TS is #1 in most shops….I could certainly deal with having a very good BS vs an excellent BS if it meant gaining a 3hp cabinet saw. Set them up well, use good blades, etc., and you’ll get good results.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

If money not a problem would opt for the Laguna Italian made over Grizzly band saw.

http://www.halfinchshy.com/2011/06/review-of-laguna-italian-made-lt-18.html

Would probably end up with the Grizzly G0514XF band saw. I have no room for a table saw but G0691 looks sweet.

-- Bill

I own the Grizzly G0514X2BF, and it has performed all the resawing, general work, etc. I have asked of it with no problems whatsoever. Only complaint was no light, and I solved that with a HF magnet base light, but of course I have to plug it in a 110VAC outlet. Not a big deal. My smaller bandsaw is the Delta you see at Lowes, but I upgraded the upper guides to bearing and did a complete setup on it as per that Powermatic bandsaw setup video available on YouTube, and it has been OK, save the dust collection is poor.

-- Paul, Tennessee, http://www.tsunamiguitars.com

I am with the Grizzly crowd. Are you considering adding the riser block? If so I would get it at the start to save on rebuilding the saw latter and so you only need to order one length of blade.

-- Jesse, Saint Louis, Missouri

+1 on KS’s comments. maximize the utility of your WW dollars by getting value from good, perfectly acceptable and functional tools when suppposedly “top of the line” tools aren’t needed.

-- there's a solution to every problem.......you just have to be willing to find it.

Aside from motor horsepower, resaw height and wheel size
in a steel framed band saw, the thing I look at is how wide
the wheels are.

While you can tune a band saw to cut well with a 1/2”
blade and in fact those resawing on 14” band saws often
do so, wider blades have more beam strength front to
back and it is easier to tune them to cut straighter
and as they dull they don’t misbehave in the cut as
readily as 1/2” blades do.

I’d say if you’re gonna buy new, get a saw that will
run 1-1/4” wide blades at least.

Thanks all for your help. My biggest concern is resaw height. I didn’t think I could put a riser on the G0514XF.

I didn’t think I could put a riser on the G0514XF.

you can’t. it;s a steel frame saw. no riser block provision.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/19-3-HP-Extreme-Series-Bandsaw-with-Foot-Brake/G0514XF

-- there's a solution to every problem.......you just have to be willing to find it.

That’s what I thought…Well I called up Laguna worked out a good deal with my sales guy and went to set up a will call for today…guess what….Back order until April 20th….Guess they made my choice easier. I will now be receiving my new Grizzly G0691 and G0514XF sometime next week.

My wife has always said I was impatient…At least no I can sell my old saw to help pay for a jointer.

Like crank49 says, there are a lot of Laguna horror stories, including mine, which is well documented here on LJs. I don’t own any Grizzly saws but I hear their CS is very good. Italy is in a real mess these days so Italian made may not be so great anyhow.

If you are a wood scrounger, tons of resaw capacity is very nice. I have 17.5” and have maxed it out easily chopping big blocks into bowl blanks. Straight resawing is less somewhat demanding, as really wide boards are much rarer these days.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

Well, Just received a call from Grizzly. I guess my saw was on back order….So long story short, called Laguna and worked a deal with them. I got a discount off the LT18, free 1 1/4” resaw king blade, 1/4” proforce blade and mobility kit. I will save up my cash to purchase a cabinet saw in the near future. Just waiting for April 20th now!