NEW Laguna Fusion 10" Table Saw 36"

[graemet]

I picked up my new Fusion 10" at the wood show on Friday and finally got it out of the crate today. Full marks to Laguna for the crating, just unscrewing a few screws around the base and the whole top and sides lift off, leaving the saw on its pallet, then slightly lifting one side allows one person (with a bad back) to roll it off the pallet onto the floor. That's as far as I've got so far, I'll report on the ease or otherwise of assembly later.

[grantoboy]

Lucky you graemet. I was unable to make the show and have to wait 6 weeks for mine to arrive. May I ask what type of deal you got with it?

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[graemet]

May I ask what type of deal you got with it?

I paid the old price as I had ordered before the price rise. No freight as I picked it up from the show and was prepared to wait for the show.

[graemet]

Now that I've had a chance to use the saw, a few thoughts on its use. Firstly, the original blade was blunt, but seems to be holding its bite after sharpening. The fitted wheels will allow you to move it around, but not easily. Being severely challenged in the muscle department, I found it difficult to lift it, as intended, wheelbarrow style, so fitted a pair of pedal operated casters to the opposite side of the cabinet which allows easier maneuvering.
The rails for the rip fence take up a lot of room in a confined space, so, as I'm unlikely to require ripping over 200mm, I cut them off at the end of the table.
The machine is a dream to use. After minimal setting up, the cuts are smooth, repeatable and accurate. Blade changing is very easy and quick compared with other saws that I have used. The blade height and tilt wheels are very smooth in operation. I use a Shop-Vac for dust extraction and it seems to be quite adequate. The noise level is less than I expected, being quieter than the shop-vac.
Overall, I'm impressed with the design, construction and ease of use compared with other small table saws, and I consider that I made a very good choice.

[graemet]

The rails for the rip fence take up a lot of room in a confined space, so, as I'm unlikely to require ripping over 200mm, I cut them off at the end of the table.
.

EDIT I'm unlikely to require ripping over 600mm = 2 feet. I still have brain fades when it comes to metric/imperial conversion!

[Binary01]

Thanks for the review Billyboydes (and comments from other owners). Considering you have had this saw for a while now, do you find that you still need to turn to your larger panel saw for much, or is the Laguna adequate for most tasks. Or more to the point - if you only had the Laguna do you think you go wanting for more?
I am mostly doing smaller tasks like box making, etc, but occasionally have the need to resaw and rip hardwood at full depth.

I'm tossing up between this saw at around $1500 and the larger Harvey HW110LGE-30 (3HP cabinet saw) at around $2k. I haven't heard a bad word about either but the Laguna has advantages with cost, mass and power requirements.

[Billyboydes]

Hi Binary,
I had not heard of the Harvey but it is certainly a solid looking machine. It compares to the Laguna Platinum at around $2500, I am not sure how the Harvey is that price.

It is a difficult question. My Laguna Fusion is setup and positioned (in the shed) for box making. The Hammer panel takes up a lot of room but is used very regularly as it has a sliding table etc.

As the salesmen all said to Dad and I, 6 years ago, "What do you want to do?" Our response was anything we like, but we had some room.

The Laguna can do pretty solid ripping work (see above) but it is your call as to how much of this work you need to do.

If I could only have one saw I would have to choose the Fusion because the majority of my work is boxes. (Says he just finishing his 5th double bed! None of which was done on the Fusion)

Have I confused you?
regards

[Binary01]

Thanks Billy. From your earlier posts and photos it is clear that the Fusion is a very capable saw for its size and power and I'm sure it would be more than suitable for my current needs. The only hesitation is that I'm quite new to woodworking so the answer to the question of "what work will I be doing with it?" is not easy to determine... yet Currently: box making, in the future: I don't know / anything I like.

The Harvey does indeed look like good value and I believe it is the same basic saw as the Laguna Platinum and the Grizzly 0690 (popular in USA), bar some customization that each brand does. However the extra $500 over the Fusion could be spent on Incra jigs...

Bottom line is that I would no doubt be perfectly happy with either and I should stop clogging up the forum with my indecision!
Thanks again.

[aron23]

Nice one, i know you're enjoying it now...

[skot]

I examined one of these at the Maleny Wood Expo today.....Very nice unit....I think it is time to upgrade from my triton to something more serious and this looks good. Price looked fine as well....it was about $500 less than Carba's special price of the Jet 10" and almost the same specs.
It has the 3hp motor according to the Gregories' people I spoke to and the info brochure I got. Gregories' website has it as a 1.75hp but I think it has been upgraded to compete against the Jet.

The one I looked at was capable of ripping up to 1320mm (I think). For those who have this Unit, did you get the standard 36” (915mm) rip capacity or take the optional 52" (1320mm). ...and if opting for the first 36" (915mm) , did you find sometimes that the wider capacity would have been handy.

I have the room for the wider but tossing up whether the extra cost is worth going there.

EDIT: I will have to check with Gregories..I am sure that they mentioned 3hp motor for the Fusion BUT have realised the brochure I was given was for the Platinum with 3 hp...maybe Fusion has 1.75 hp

[Billyboydes]

I have the 36" and it is plenty, for the sort of work I do (primarily box making).
If you plan to work with larger boards, or lots of whole ply then the extra may suit.
regards

[skot]

I think you mentioned earlier but do you find it has more than enough power.

[Billyboydes]

I think you mentioned earlier but do you find it has more than enough power.

Yes plenty, see above.
Regards

[skot]

I bit the bullet and have ordered one, together with the sliding table accessory. Now to make room in the workshop.

[Binary01]

Congrats Skot! I'm jealous...
Be sure to post your comments back in this thread after you get it