I just read a review where they compared a number of 14" bandsaws in a US magazine ("Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuildings 2015 Tool Guide").
I was got interested in the article when I saw that the Hammer N3800 bandsaw was included in the test.
However, this bandsaw (that I have been thinking of buying), didn't get a good grade.
The downsides of this bandsaw are (according to the article):
1. Dust collection - low port (instead of under the table) makes it miss too much dust.
2. No quick release tension lever (for speeding up blade changes)
3. Poor guide post alignment.
The last point is what makes me think of finding another saw. I've owned two bandsaws so far, and both of them have been really fiddly to adjust (after blade changes, or when the screws work loose). I've needed allen keys for adjusting the blade guides on both saws. On my current saw, the lower blade guides are very hard to reach under the table. So I'm really tired of bad design and bad blade guides.
New bandsaws seem to need no tools to adjust blade guides. And I want to find the best one..
The top bandsaws in the test were:
Powermatic PM1500 "Best overall"
"Street price: $2,900
This is a great saw all around. All of the important adjustments are made without tools, and the guides can be set accurately with ease. Tracking the blade is simple, too, due to the window in the upper housing and yellow tires on the wheels. The 3-hp motor easily handled the resaw test—better than all of the other saws."
Laguna 14/Twelve "Best overall" "Best value"
"Street price: $1,097
The Laguna is full of smart features. No tools are needed to install a blade and adjust the guides. It has the largest throat of the saws tested, making blade changes much easier, and the aluminum throat plate has leveling screws. The guides are ceramic, a welcome feature on a saw in this price range. The motor is wired for 110 volts, a plus for those without access to a 220-volt circuit."
Looking at this, the Laguna would be the right choice for me.
However, the problem when reading American magazines is that many of the tested machines are not available in Europe. Jet, Grizzly and Powermatic are very popular in the US, but I never see them here.
So. What would you recommend?
Is the Laguna available here (maybe with a different name)?
I need a 14" bandsaw (max 2 m high, as the ceiling is low in my shop).
A large table, and good resaw capabilities.
Easily adjusted blade guides.
Easy to change blades.
I mostly rip or resaw, and sometimes cut curves with my saw. Curve cutting is the lowest priority for me.
I was got interested in the article when I saw that the Hammer N3800 bandsaw was included in the test.
However, this bandsaw (that I have been thinking of buying), didn't get a good grade.
The downsides of this bandsaw are (according to the article):
1. Dust collection - low port (instead of under the table) makes it miss too much dust.
2. No quick release tension lever (for speeding up blade changes)
3. Poor guide post alignment.
The last point is what makes me think of finding another saw. I've owned two bandsaws so far, and both of them have been really fiddly to adjust (after blade changes, or when the screws work loose). I've needed allen keys for adjusting the blade guides on both saws. On my current saw, the lower blade guides are very hard to reach under the table. So I'm really tired of bad design and bad blade guides.
New bandsaws seem to need no tools to adjust blade guides. And I want to find the best one..
The top bandsaws in the test were:
Powermatic PM1500 "Best overall"
"Street price: $2,900
This is a great saw all around. All of the important adjustments are made without tools, and the guides can be set accurately with ease. Tracking the blade is simple, too, due to the window in the upper housing and yellow tires on the wheels. The 3-hp motor easily handled the resaw test—better than all of the other saws."
Laguna 14/Twelve "Best overall" "Best value"
"Street price: $1,097
The Laguna is full of smart features. No tools are needed to install a blade and adjust the guides. It has the largest throat of the saws tested, making blade changes much easier, and the aluminum throat plate has leveling screws. The guides are ceramic, a welcome feature on a saw in this price range. The motor is wired for 110 volts, a plus for those without access to a 220-volt circuit."
Looking at this, the Laguna would be the right choice for me.
However, the problem when reading American magazines is that many of the tested machines are not available in Europe. Jet, Grizzly and Powermatic are very popular in the US, but I never see them here.
So. What would you recommend?
Is the Laguna available here (maybe with a different name)?
I need a 14" bandsaw (max 2 m high, as the ceiling is low in my shop).
A large table, and good resaw capabilities.
Easily adjusted blade guides.
Easy to change blades.
I mostly rip or resaw, and sometimes cut curves with my saw. Curve cutting is the lowest priority for me.
