Tool purchase advice...

I have the Laguna 18BX and it is the biggest ticket item in my shop. I originally began my search for the least expensive 14” Rikon but after looking at a variety of saws (Rikon, Jet, Laguna and a few others), my attention continually gravitated toward a more feature-filled (and expensive) saw. I wanted something that would fulfill all of my needs without having to upgrade in the future.

The features I like on the 18BX include: table size and the increased work surface is a plus, saw capacity in each direction, the ceramic guides are great and I really like them a lot. The blade brake is a huge plus and it can be surprising how long the blade can continue to run after the machine is shut off, the brake allows the blade to be stopped more swiftly both for safety and convenience. The size of the machine and weight make for a stable platform with plenty of horsepower to spare. I also like both dust collection ports being on the same side of the machine and those that exit on two different sides can protrude into the work area I am typically standing in.

Since putting the 18BX in my shop I haven’t looked back and if I were to do it all over again, I would buy the very same machine.

-- ~Art~

Thanks for that input – much appreciated. I’m more or less in the same boat with how you approached from the start and your feedback is helpful. Did you get any of the options like mobile kit, or light? Just curious if you like them if so. Thanks again.

I have a 14/12 and the Supermax 19-38—I’ve been happy with both tools.

The BS has worked well for me and I can re-saw up to about 12”. This is my first bandsaw—so I don’t have any other reference. I made my own mobile base and lighting mount. I do wish it had a brake—but it’s not overly important and certainly not a deal breaker. I have not found this saw to be lacking in power in any way—but again I have no other experience for reference.

I like the drum sander alot. It is not fast, but it is accurate and I can easily sand the shop sawn veneer to 1/8” or 3/32”. Technically I think it is supposed to be able to sand to 1/32”—but I think the drum and conveyor belt would likely rub alot at that thickness. I don’t have to worry about tear out with the sander, but there can be a little snipe and the scratches need to be removed. I normally sand with grits from 80 to 120. I have all the grits up to 220—but rarely use them. What I typically do is sand to about 120 with the drum sander and then use my smoothing plane to remove the sanding scratches. I’ll followup with a 220 hand sanding since my smoothing plane sometimes leaves slight ridges.

I use a Grizzly Go513×2. 17” saw. It was only offered in 220v, so I had to add that to my shop.
With that upgrade, I went ahead and rewired my table saw to 220v.
The only negative I have heard about Laguna is the customer service.
I have used a 14” laguna BS at my local wood school, and It is a workhorse.’
And I have use a Laguna lathe. Very nice machine.
So I think they make a good product, and you will most likely be very happy with it.
I would definitely add the mobile base. The base they offer becomes part of the saw. I have not been pleased
with any of the mobile bases that the saws sit in or on. I have tried two styles and am looking at how to adapt the style Laguna uses my grizzly saw. Most likely will build my own or adapt a Rikon kit to my saw.
I think $150 for a light is crazy. I made my own from a $3 yard sale light. the style with the big potato chip clip.
Took the clip off and added a harbor freight magnet to it, and a 5000k LED bulb. So maybe its a $12 light.
I do sometimes wish I had bought the upgraded version of my saw that had a foot brake. I takes about 45 seconds for my blade to come to a full stop.

-- John

I didn’t get any accessories with the 18BX and it has basically taken up permanent residence where I placed it so I didn’t see a need for the wheel kit. Additional lighting can be helpful but I have an adjustable joint floor lamp that I move around to different spots as needed which works okay.

The final concern I had prior to actually purchasing the saw was if there were any advantages of a smaller saw verses the larger one. Since having it in my shop, I haven’t found anything negative and the larger size has been very much a positive. The longer blade size also has the advantage of doing more cutting per each revolution and thus a longer overall blade life which negates the slightly added cost of the longer blade.

My standard blades are the carbide tip Laguna 1” Resaw King (from lagunatools.com) and the bi-metal Lenox Diemaster 2 blades (1/2” 4tpi and 1/4” 6tpi) (from bandsawbladesdirect.com)

There was only one small issue that I found while setting the saw up. I noticed the lower guide was just a little bit off and upon removal, I found a tiny bead of weld splatter between the saw and the guide mount and a quick grind with the Dremel tool drum sander attachment cleared it up nice and smooth. Otherwise all has been great.

In looking at your profile, I noticed that you were in Ohio. I picked my saw up at Wood Werks in Columbus during their 10% off sale and also saved the standard $75 delivery fee by picking it up at the store (they had the saw in stock). The saw is packaged quite well and they loaded it into the back of my pickup which made placement in my shop quite easy as I was able to back up to the spot I wanted it. The saw is shipped laying down and my son and I slid the saw to the back of the tailgate then pivoted it to the floor where we opened the box and maneuvered it as our wives removed the packaging. My travels to view the various saws before purchase took me to Woodcraft in Parkersburg, WV, Keim Lumber in Charm, Hartville Hardware in Hartville, and Wood Werks & Woodcraft in Columbus.

Good luck in your search and purchase and looking forward to hearing what you come up with.

-- ~Art~

Thanks, John – nice saw! Agreed on lights, seems insane what they expect people to pay.

BR, thanks again for the input. Keim and Hartville are some great places for folks like us, can lose an afternoon in there quickly! Nice shop BTW – still undecided on mobile kit, but the only real option I’m interested in. Still debating which saw, but definitely leaning towards the 18. Think I’d rather have a bit more than needed and save for the sander down the road.