Replies

1. 
   mwenz | Jan 01, 2007 08:38am | #1

   It would help if a target budget was suggested.

   Northfield makes one in the US for about $8000. Very high quality. Will outlast your grandchildren with a modicum of care.

   If that is out of your budget--like it is mine--then consider an Agganazi or Mini-Max. Both what I would consider "affordable" excellence. Figure in the $2k to $3k range.

   Below that are the Eastern imports. I own a Jet 18". If I were purchasing today, I would consider the Steel City, Rikon/Craftsman and even the Jet. These are sub $1.25k I believe.

   Take care, Mike

1. 
   brewdog | Jan 01, 2007 09:07am | #2

   I would add the Bridgewood PBS 440 and PBS 540 to the mix. They are high quality Italian made machines just as Minimax and Aganizzi are. Also the quality of Grizzley bandsaws has improved dramatically and have a lot of bells and whistles that many others don't. I would look at the Grizzley for a more reasonably priced machine that has a lot of features. They have a 21 inch wheel one that is very reasonably priced and has good construction. I went to their huge showroom in Muncy, Pa. and brought my veritas straight edge, feeler gauge and Starrett calipers. I expected junk but was very pleasantly surprised. I just bought the Bridgewood PBS 540. The Minimax has a big following but I wanted an American motor and a bigger throat rather than the higher resaw of the Minimax. Check out Minimax, Bridgewood,and Grizzley. They are all good machines for their price. The Bridgewood 18" won best in class two years ago in the Fine Woodworking magazine. Compare shipping and the features that you find most desirable in your price range. They have all been on sale through December. You may still be able to get the "end-of-year" discount if you move quickly.
   Have fun hunting!Gary Brewer

   Edited 1/1/2007 1:17 am ET by brewdog

1. 
   splinters1 | Jan 01, 2007 05:07pm | #4

   Thank you for your time and insight. I will persue this issue with great anticipation! Happy New Year!

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 01, 2007 07:00pm | #6

   I took the Pepsi challenge about 6 months ago, and came to the conclusion that, all things being considered, minimax would be the weapon of choice.  All saws mentioned would be fine choices, but when coupled with price, and customer service, the MM16 is a hard all around choice to beat. 

   Mike (Wenzloff) is definately correct about the Northfield.  Their equipment surpasses by quantum leaps any of the equipment usually talked about around here, but the $$$ is a definate issue.  For occasional use bandsawing, 8 dimes may be a little extreme.  I did pop for their 12" HD jointer, and it's the best and most accurate power tool in my shop.

   Jeff

2. 
   terrylee86 | Jan 01, 2007 04:13pm | #3

   If you look at a lot of the demo pictures in FWW articles you will see a lot of the authors are using Laguna bandsaws.  In that article mentioned Laguna and Bridgewood tied for top tool.  The Italian machines seem to be the top machines right now.  I would rank them just like I did at the show where I tested them out.  Laguna and Bridgewood PBS-540 tied, Agganzzani just a little behind and MIni-max last.  With that said I would buy any of the four and be perfectly happy.  I bought the Laguna because they threw in a Resaw King blade and it has a Baldor motor(4.8 hp) and I like the guides. I would have bought the Bridgewood with the same deal.  They are that close. I have a lot of Bridgewood tools and their customer service is better than Laguna( not that they are bad) if you live anywhere near York, PA check them out or go to a good show.

1. 
   splinters1 | Jan 01, 2007 05:09pm | #5

   Thank you for your time and great insight. Very helpful indeed. I will persue this issue with great anticipation. Happy New Year!

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 01, 2007 07:32pm | #7

   Check out this thread for first-hand info about the Steel City saw.  At least two owners there, Sarge and Glaucon.  Yep, it's a long thread, but worth reading all the way through, especially considering the dufus review that came out in FWW recently.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

4. 
   pzaxtl | Jan 01, 2007 08:57pm | #8

   I own the Laguna LT16HD which is comparable to (actually exceeds) most 18" models for resaw capacity.  I was torn between the Laguna and the MiniMax MM16 and eventually settled for price point.  In any event, I absolutely love this saw!  Cuts anything (4.5HP motor) as fast as I care to, and it's resaw performance is fabulous.  Frankly, I don't think you could go wrong with either the Laguna, MiniMax or the Bridgewood (for what it's worth, Laguna and Bridgewood are both made by the same Italian company - ACM).

   Good Luck,

   Michael

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/1/2007 12:58 pm ET by pzaxtl

1. 
   splinters1 | Jan 02, 2007 05:07am | #10

   Thank you for the insight. I am leaning towards the Laguna thanks to everyones advise. Thank you also for your time. Happy New Year!

5. 
   ohcomeon | Jan 01, 2007 10:06pm | #9

   Splinters, you haven't mentioned where you are on price, but if you are looking at the ~$1,000 range saws then you have a lot to choose from.  However, most are not significantly different than one another, and some are actually made in the same factory with different names on them.

   Take a look at this thread at Sawmillcreek.org  http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=48414&highlight=bandsaw

   and you'll see a more detailed post from me (Jake Helmboldt) talking about some of the details of this class of saws.  My point in that post is that it is best to try to look at these first-hand so you can see the minor, yet significant, differences and decide which particular saw has what you want.  In the end they all have some compromises, so it really is a matter of deciding which ones you can live with.

   JH

1. 
   splinters1 | Jan 02, 2007 05:28am | #11

   price point not to exceed $3000. Right now I am leaning heavily on the laguna LT16HD. Plenty of power, resaw capacity, and well made. What is your thought?

1. 
   ohcomeon | Jan 05, 2007 06:46am | #12

   That is where I bow out of the discussion.  I've looked at lots of the ~$1000 range machines (and own one), but I've not had a chance to look at the Ags, MM, and Lagunas.  Maybe one day (when I can afford it).

   Some people love the Lagunas, but their customer service has been the source of a good number of complaints.  But I can't speek to that myself.

   Enjoy whatever you buy, the bandsaw is a wonderful tool.

    

   Jake