Thread: Felder fb510 or laguna 18bx

I like Felder; it is just so well engineered.

The problem with importing stuff is usually that the warranty does not cross borders - so, in my opinion, it is not worth doing if it is only "a little cheaper". Ten years ago I built a new kitchen and imported a pair of V Zug ovens from Switzerland; bought VAT-free, the landed cost in Tasmania was less than 50% of the local retail price. No warranty, but if one broke irrepairably then it would still be cheaper to import a replacement. But, if the cost differental was only 20% I would not have assumed the extra risks and effort.

Another factor to consider is the level of support that you will receive. Who has the best local agent? And how good are his lines to his principals? My guess is that in Sweden it will be easier to deal with an Austrian supplier than one in California sourcing his product from Taiwan.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Another factor to consider is the level of support that you will receive. Who has the best local agent? And how good are his lines to his principals? My guess is that in Sweden it will be easier to deal with an Austrian supplier than one in California sourcing his product from Taiwan.

I know that the bigger Laguna BS's were Italian sourced so it may not be Taiwanese but the support factor is very important.

I wouldnt touch Felder's X10 series bandsaw. I know two guys had them and both BS are problematic. one is 610 another is 710. if you want to buy a Felder bandsaw, buy the X40 series, the X40 series are made by ACM I think, the 540 is discontinued.

How accessible is it for you to get Panhan/Hokubema? Centauro? SCM's bandsaw were made by Centauro, I used to own a S400P. sold it to a member here. they are great.

I have bought and sold several 24inch+ bandsaw in the last 24 months (Wadkin B700, Sicar Top600... etc mostly Italian), old cast iron are better than new.

I agree with the X40 series saws from Felder. How about a good used quality machine like Albert suggests? Panhans or Kölle if you can find one. Or any of the Italian saws…Centauro, Meber, ACM etc.

There was also a fantastic saw made in Czech…looking for a link.

How’s this one?

Used Kolle for sale. Kolle equipment & more | Machinio

I have an FB540 Felder (which is actually a rebadged ACM BS540) in my own workshop and it's a fantastic bandsaw, better than the FB610 that I use at work.

I've used the non-italian made laguna bandsaws (18BX, 14BX) and they don't even come close to either of these machines. We had issues with the ceramic guides constantly coming loose unless you tightened them with pliers (we ended up changing them to carter style guides) and the blade speeds on them are significantly slower than the Italian made saws and this makes a huge difference to their re-sawing ability (965 m/min on the laguna vs 1600 m/min on the X40 Felder/ACM saws).

There's a Swedish woodworker in Instagram (karlholm design) who has an ACM bandsaw so I'm guessing they are available there and this is what I'd recommend looking for.

Has anyone compared the newer ACM machines with the SNAC line, or slightly more common SNA/star line?


I'd like to know what issues the Felder machines has, could this be why they're coming out with a green tire,
or is their another gremlin or two at play,
I do recall some posts about this, but cannot seem to find that post anymore, it had a video attached.
I think it disappeared once the issue was solved, which possibly involved one of the three "R"s of retail.

Thanks
Tom