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8th October 2014, 02:40 PM #31Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- Wongawallan, SE Qld
- Posts
- 122
Just an update here for anyone interested:
I'll be returning the second Laguna LT18 3000bandsaw that I was supplied to replace the first that had the problems shown on the previous page.
I have been back and forward with Gregory machinery and they have eventually offered a full refund on the machine so, as I want this to be the last bandsaw that I buy and because I hope to work it quite hard, I will be returning it when I'm home again in a couple of weeks. Although the blade does appear to track OK, the saw cuts well and I do like the ceramic blade guides, I'm just not comfortable or willing to accept what, to me, is simply shoddy workmanship that should never have passed any quality inspections by Laguna if they were on the ball.
Having looked at all available bandsaw options in Australia, I'm now thinking that I might have to up my budget quite a bit to buy the Minimax S400P, which is made in Italy. It is a bigger motor at 4hp but I've inspected these saws and although they are not a cast frame, they are a fully welded and much stiffer frame than any of the non-cast frames that now dominate the market.
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8th October 2014, 02:50 PM #32GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jun 2005
- Location
- Helensburgh
- Posts
- 6,891
I don't think you will be disappointed with the Minimax.
CHRIS
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8th October 2014, 06:44 PM #33Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2014
- Location
- Beach
- Posts
- 163
I've had a Hammer 4400 for 8 years and it's never missed a beat and I cut a lot of old salvage hardwood.
I also have a big old cast iron beast that I got for a few hundred bucks.
Buying a new Minimax is crazy unless you are running a full time business. But maybe you have money to burn.
You got caught by the big name, in my experience Laguna's rep is a bit overhyped from what I recall using their stuff in the States.
Have fun,
Alli
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8th October 2014, 07:23 PM #34Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- Wongawallan, SE Qld
- Posts
- 122
I certainly don't have money to burn but also, this machine will not be lightly worked...............
I'd add that I was not caught by a name brand as I knew next to nothing of Laguna before researching what band saw to buy at this size range. The spec's offered specifically what I was needing for the job, the build quality did not deliver.
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8th October 2014, 07:33 PM #35SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- May 2013
- Location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Posts
- 995
I am very happy with my S400P. Cuts beautifully. I am yet to use its full potential , only been ripping small amount of timber with it. it looks nice sitting at the corner for now and this is important to me, having a good machinery in the workshop make me want to build something worth the cause and a piece of work that means quality and people willing to buy.
My other SCM machine is a 30 yo 930mm wide belt sander, apart from the consumables needing replacing the machine works beautifully. Because the pleasant experience I have with the SCM, I have upgraded the sander to a SCM 1100mm wide twin belt current model SCM/Minimax is my only option from now on. I know they are made in Italy and it's like an assurance. It takes years for the manufacturer to build up a good reputation and I am happy to pay extra for that.
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8th October 2014, 09:25 PM #36Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2014
- Location
- Beach
- Posts
- 163
Ah so you knew nothing about Laguna saws and researched them and bought a lemon, that's a pity.
"this machine will not be lightly worked" is a very relative term.
If it's for less than full time industrial use why not buy an old real bandsaw and clean it up.
Over the years, working in a lot of different shops, I've used Wadkin, Oliver, Powermatic, Laguna, Delta, Invicta, Tannewitz. L S Barker and Felder that i can remember easily, maybe a few others. There was a good Invicta on Ebay for $650 for a few weeks, it may still be there. Solid cast iron, 16".
Lot cheaper than a new Minimax and you won't ever wear it out as a hobbyist or small one man cabinet shop. Barkers come up regularly as well and they are usually 36"!
Have fun,
Alli
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9th October 2014, 06:32 PM #37Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2014
- Location
- Beach
- Posts
- 163
Here you go
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-B...item3a9857a3bd
That's actually an L S Barker, Macpherson's were just the agent, a 32" so it would have at least 12" DOC, my 36" has 16"DOC.
The guides are in good nick, the tires look OK, not a big deal to recrown or even get re-rubbered if you had to.
it's in Brisbane.
You could work that all day for another 60 years.
Have fun,
Alli