I have recently began to research 14″ to 16″ Bandsaws for purchase in the next few months. Cost is not a huge issue, but I, as most, want to get what we pay for. I have looked at the MiniMax E16, MiniMax MM16, the Laguana 14″ and 16″ saws. Does anyone have any input, suggestions, or other recommendations I should consider? Any advice would be valuable to me.
Thanks,
detailman
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Replies
My suggestion: use the Search function. This topic has been covered in hundreds of posts over the last year. In fact, the search for the "right" 16" bandsaw is now threatening the search for the "right" cabinet saw as the most popular woodworking quest.
Another suggestion: read magazine reviews. American Woodworker had a really good series of reviews of bandsaws not long ago.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your input. I obviously need to get going on the road to more extended research.
Thanks again,
detailman
I have the MM16, and think it's worth every penny. It had several things better than the Laguna, one of which is fixed. The motor was better on the MiniMax, but now Laguna has Baldor. However, I don't know if Laguna has upgraded the steel thickness; the MiniMax can crank 30,000 psi on a 1" carbide blade; I know of several 4 year old Lagunas that can't do that.
Plus, I can tell you, MiniMax is a wonderful company to deal with--I don't know about Laguna, so others have to answer that one, but I do love my MiniMmax.
Hi Daryl,
Thanks for your input. I am leaning away from the Laguna saws, but have expanded my research into the Agazzani saws as well. From what I can tell, the Minimax and Agazzani saws have plus and minus factors, but seem to function and stay in calibration better than the Lagunas.
Thanks again,
detailman
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