Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 21, 2003 05:05pm | #1

   I'm familiar with all of these saws and have worked with most of them at one time or another.  For the money and capacity you should also consider a Taiwanese copy of the Delta 14 inch saw with a riser block added.  The versions with the best manufacturing quality control are excellent machines. 

   I own a Ridgid and I am very satisfied with it.  Properly tuned up and with a good blade I've cleanly resawn to the full 12 inch capacity with it using the original motor.

   John W.

1. 
   DanClermont | Aug 22, 2003 04:16am | #2

   Hi John W

   Curious to know which manufacturers other then Ridgid youfeel make a Bandsaw which is competitive to the Delta?

   I have looked at Jet and was disappointed by the fact it only had 6 spokes on the wheel.

   Was sort of impressed with Grizzly although they told me I needed the 17" to do resawing and the 14" wouldn't be a good option

   When I added up the options I would get from Laguna (Fence, riser block, blades, etc) it was cheaper then buying the Delta because I didn't have to pay for shipping

   Thanks,Dan Clermont

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 22, 2003 11:19pm | #6

   Dan,

   Jet and Ridgid seem to have the best quality control, they're also the more expensive machines.  The number of spokes in the wheel is pretty much irrelevant.

   You should know that the Laguna LT 14 is made in Bulgaria, while I believe that all of the other Laguna saws are made in Italy.  The Bulgarian saw is heavy and a bit crude in finishing details compared to their other saws.

   Fine Woodworking has run a bunch of articles on 14 inch bandsaws in the past few years, tool reviews, tune up, and resawing have all been covered.  Resawing is much more dependent on blade choice, sharpness and tuning than on the brand of saw.

   John W.

1. 
   DanClermont | Aug 23, 2003 04:37am | #7

   Finding a Jet on the West Coast of Canada is next to impossible. The only supplier KJMS tools stopped covering them awhile back. Have you seen the General International Line?

   Thanks,

   Dan Clermont

2. 
   10fingers | Aug 22, 2003 08:45am | #3

   Hello,

   The LT14 came out about the time that I bought my LT16.  I considered the LT14  but went with the LT16 for the extra depth of cut.   I don't cut a lot of 12" wood, but I had been saving a special piece of stump that need 12" depth.   My LT16 cuts pretty good with a 1/2" carbide blade.   I am currently putting a set of carter bearings on my saw.   The standard european guides would occasionaly loosen unless I used channel lock pliers to snug them down.   I think that you would be happy with a LT14 over a delta.   I started out with a 14" delta clone from Taiwan.   It is a decent saw but has some accuracy issues.

   Several readers prefer a minimax.  I didn't consider that brand because I had not seen any advertising or tests of them in WW magazines at the time I got my LT16.

   I would recommend that you learn how to silver solder blades and but them in a 100' roll on ebay or from dealers.   You can save some serious $.

   Have fun with whatever you choose.

   Chuck

3. 
   fredb | Aug 22, 2003 09:25am | #4

   I too was looking into the LT14SE and the Delta 14". Actually today (I mean yesterday) I was at a local tool retailer that had just put together a new Delta 14" X5. This is a beautiful saw from how I look at it. I have not yet owned any bandsaw but do have a Delta contractor's saw (very happy with it). I would add the riser to get the resaw capacity I want right away before buying better blades. The only thing with this Delta is that the saw does not come with the 12" capacity ($100 extra for the riser kit) or the fence (about $95 extra). From what I've heard and read, this saw will do the trick providing you get a really good blade for it (Timberwolf or Highland's Wood Slicer) and it's fine-tuned.

   If you hear more on the Laguna LT14SE please post!

   Kind regards - Fred
4. 
   10fingers | Aug 22, 2003 06:50pm | #5

   Hello again,

   Give laguna a call.   They sometimes have demo machines available at a considerable savings.   About 6 months after I bought my LT16, they had a LT14 for around $400.00.   It was a demo from the shows.  This might be worth a try and save you some money.

   Chuck

5. 
   DJK | Aug 24, 2003 05:37am | #8

   So why not look for a used saw.

   Dave Koury

1. 
   BlakeW | Aug 24, 2003 05:13pm | #9

   Just thought I would throw this in.The new for 2004 Laguna LT14 will offer a full 12" resaw capacity.I am not sure of the price though.Might be worth a look!

6. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 30, 2003 02:37pm | #10

   >Was sort of impressed with Grizzly although they told me I needed the 17" to do resawing and the 14" wouldn't be a good option<

   Interesting comment.

   I'd like to throw out an opinion here - it is only an opinion and I expect some people will probably get all hot and bothered - but opinions are like,... well you know.

   I think that trying to soup up a 14 inch bandsaw to make it into a resaw machine is like trying to make a muscle car out of a Ford Pinto. It can be done, but you gotta ask yourself why?

   As a home hobbiest, I generally only need to do resawing once or twice a year and I throw my stock in the back of the truck, take it to the Navy base nearby and use their gi-normous 22 inch bandsaw with built in 12 foot infeed and outfeed tables. To even think of trying to soup up my 14 inch bandsaw to do that gives me a headache. But I have seen people sell those souped up 14 inchers with riser blocks, beefier motors, roller bearings, etc., etc. To each his own. I just use my 14 inch bandsaw for garden-variety bandsaw stuff, not big resawing.

   Ed

   "Tractors are for work, not play." Mississippi State University Extensions Service