Thread: Harvey Alpha HW110LC-36 VS Laguna Fusion F2

Hey Carl,

I recently reached out to the various machinery suppliers in regards to the Laguna. Short story, the timeline for securing one is quite long and looking to get longer. Laguna have said their priority is the North America market and supply will be prioritised accordingly.

I'm happy to post my emails with Greg machinery here to provide further info if you like. At this stage they are recommending the Harvey ambassador which they will be stocking. It's a better price than the Laguna F2 and has some good features - they quoted me $2199 for the ambassador which should leave money for your extractor.

What I've seen across the web is that people are quite happy with the ambassador. I was preparing to get one before a second saw came up on gumtree recently.

The alpha sounds awesome, they did want to sell me on that. To me it's a question of whether you want the 36" rip capacity and a 2.2hp motor.

Not sure if that helps your decisions at all...

I wouldn't want anything less than 2.5 hp on a 10" table saw to be honest unless you never intend to use it to it's full capacity.

Hi Jukeg,
I emailed Carbatec and they advised they should be receiving a shipment of Laguna’s around November and Gregory would have Harvey’s late October. BBTA also won’t have Harvey’s until October - just the one model HW110LGE-30.
It’s just a matter of deciding on which machine I prefer. It’s really hard when you can’t see one in person though.
I live up the Central Coast and I don’t mind travelling but Queensland is a little too far for a tyre kicking.

Carl.

Hi Biggus,
That’s the trick isn’t it? Knowing if you have enough power to get the job done with room to spare.
I am only a hobbyist so making things like cabinets and possibly bench tops or table tops out of plywood and solid timber.
I’m guessing max 30mm thickness for ripping for a table top using solid timber or floorboards and cross cutting probably no thicker than 75mm.

I understand what you’re saying about less than 2.5hp on a 10” saw is not worth it, but for what I am intending on using it for do you think 2.2hp is sufficient? Apart from my old Triton, I am new to table saws and I don’t know what they are capable of and how much power you need for certain tasks.

I am also trying to weigh up the features that come with the saw as standard and if I can get a better featured saw with less power, that will do what I want it to then that’s the saw for me. I don’t have the budget to purchase a saw and then have to buy add-ons to make it better - this is why I have short listed the 2 saws above.

Carl.

Originally Posted by DrCarl

Hi Biggus,
That’s the trick isn’t it? Knowing if you have enough power to get the job done with room to spare.
I am only a hobbyist so making things like cabinets and possibly bench tops or table tops out of plywood and solid timber.
I’m guessing max 30mm thickness for ripping for a table top using solid timber or floorboards and cross cutting probably no thicker than 75mm.

I understand what you’re saying about less than 2.5hp on a 10” saw is not worth it, but for what I am intending on using it for do you think 2.2hp is sufficient? Apart from my old Triton, I am new to table saws and I don’t know what they are capable of and how much power you need for certain tasks.

I am also trying to weigh up the features that come with the saw as standard and if I can get a better featured saw with less power, that will do what I want it to then that’s the saw for me. I don’t have the budget to purchase a saw and then have to buy add-ons to make it better - this is why I have short listed the 2 saws above.

Carl.

I can only comment on my experiences with a 2.5 hp 10" saw and if you're ripping hardwoods with it to the maximum depth 2.5 hp will do it but it's obvious it's starting to work very hard and any less would really struggle. If you're only going to rip 30mm with the saw you intend to buy I don't suppose it would be an issue but can you be sure your needs won't change?

On a more positive note guys who have Harveys reckon they're excellent, and the 2hp dust extractor will be fine.

As Biggus says it's ripping hardwood where you need the power. My saw is 2HP and occasionally I rip hardwood 75mm or more thick (12" blade). I've never had a problem with the motor stalling or slowing to a level of concern. If the saw is somewhat underpowered feed more slowly and don't use combination blades for heavy ripping, use a specialised ripping blade, it makes a hell of a difference. Although it would be nice to have more power I don't feel that I've ever been seriously inconvenienced with what I have. I would love to own either of those saws you're looking at.

One other thing, I mentioned to get machinery I really liked the in-built wheels on the Laguna. They said a lot of customers have had issues with the metal on the cabinet bending trending the wheels useless. Better off getting a mobile base whichever way you go

The Harvey model looks like one of the fancier Laguna models...

Either way they both have the same rubbish magnetic switch and what appears to be the same rubbish zero clearance inserts. My Laguna F1 also came with them and they are both now in the bin and replaced with better aftermarket parts. Otherwise, it has been a fine tablesaw and was an excellent upgrade from the Triton that preceded it.

Originally Posted by aldav

As Biggus says it's ripping hardwood where you need the power. My saw is 2HP and occasionally I rip hardwood 75mm or more thick (12" blade). I've never had a problem with the motor stalling or slowing to a level of concern. If the saw is somewhat underpowered feed more slowly and don't use combination blades for heavy ripping, use a specialised ripping blade, it makes a hell of a difference. Although it would be nice to have more power I don't feel that I've ever been seriously inconvenienced with what I have. I would love to own either of those saws you're looking at.

Biggus, it’s a fair comment that on occasion I will want to rip some hardwood but doing so at maximum depth is unlikely - but never say never.

Aldav, I agree that the feed rate and the type of blade used can make all the difference.
Having that extra power does make more sense and with the Laguna only being 1.75hp compared to Harvey’s 2.2hp, the Harvey would be a more sensible purchase.

Originally Posted by jukeg

One other thing, I mentioned to get machinery I really liked the in-built wheels on the Laguna. They said a lot of customers have had issues with the metal on the cabinet bending trending the wheels useless. Better off getting a mobile base whichever way you go

This was something that didn’t sit well with me about the Laguna - lifting the heavy cabinet by the rails to move it around like a 6 burner BBQ.
After a while, it wouldn’t surprise me if the rails started to move or shift out of alignment, especially if all those bolts aren’t tightened correctly.

Originally Posted by DrCarl

Biggus, it’s a fair comment that on occasion I will want to rip some hardwood but doing so at maximum depth is unlikely - but never say never.

Aldav, I agree that the feed rate and the type of blade used can make all the difference.
Having that extra power does make more sense and with the Laguna only being 1.75hp compared to Harvey’s 2.2hp, the Harvey would be a more sensible purchase.

I reckon the Harvey will suit you well, as Aldav says have a ripping blade as well as a combo blade and you should be fine. I buy a lot of timber rough sawn from the local mill so I'm inclined to ask a lot of my saw. Owners of Harveys are pretty well without exception very positive about them so you can buy in the knowledge that you're getting a well made machine.

Originally Posted by SilentButDeadly

The Harvey model looks like one of the fancier Laguna models...

Either way they both have the same rubbish magnetic switch and what appears to be the same rubbish zero clearance inserts. My Laguna F1 also came with them and they are both now in the bin and replaced with better aftermarket parts. Otherwise, it has been a fine tablesaw and was an excellent upgrade from the Triton that preceded it.

What switch did you put on you Laguna?

Have just been through the whole agonising process, created comparative spreadsheets and all of that to still find myself going around in endless circles, with so many differing opinions and options had to bite the bullet some time. Ended up purchasing a Carbatec 250mm 50 inch 2.5 Hp unit around an hour ago, price was a factor, on sale for $2,100, so is slightly cheaper and has a bit more grunt that the comparative Harvey and will have in around 2 weeks rather than the 4-6 for the Harvey which is the best turnaround I could find. Reviews are generally pretty good and seems at that level you end up splitting hairs between the 3-4 available options.

Anyhoo will see how it goes but based on my research think that most of the units that retail at the $2-3k mark will do a pretty good job, must say that the Laguna at 1 3/4 Hp does seem a bit under powered and cant quite understand why the cheaper Harvey comes in at 2 Hp ?.

Regardless will be a big step up from my current Makita !.

Cheers,

Rudy

Originally Posted by Rudyvm

Have just been through the whole agonising process, created comparative spreadsheets and all of that to still find myself going around in endless circles, with so many differing opinions and options had to bite the bullet some time. Ended up purchasing a Carbatec 250mm 50 inch 2.5 Hp unit around an hour ago, price was a factor, on sale for $2,100, so is slightly cheaper and has a bit more grunt that the comparative Harvey and will have in around 2 weeks rather than the 4-6 for the Harvey which is the best turnaround I could find. Reviews are generally pretty good and seems at that level you end up splitting hairs between the 3-4 available options.

Anyhoo will see how it goes but based on my research think that most of the units that retail at the $2-3k mark will do a pretty good job, must say that the Laguna at 1 3/4 Hp does seem a bit under powered and cant quite understand why the cheaper Harvey comes in at 2 Hp ?.

Regardless will be a big step up from my current Makita !.

Cheers,

Rudy

I have the 30" version of the saw you've purchased and I'm very happy with mine. I reckon those saws are your best bang for the buck at the moment.