Thread: 14 inch Bandsaw advice

Review here
Feedback on Laguna 12/14 bandsaw needed

I recently upgraded from an old Carbatec 14" bandasw which I had been using for the last 5 years.
I manged to get a second-hand sherwood TBB-14 which is s far as as I know the same as the current Sherwood BAS 350-B which Timbecon sell for around $1200.

I have tested it out with resawing various timber including 210mm Marri and didn't even notice the motor struggling the slightest even using a cheap Torquata brand 19mm blade,My old bandsaw had only a 3/4 HP motor and was pretty useless at anything over 100mm thick.
Good thing is that it just plugs into a standard 10 Amp outlet.

Quite how it would compare with the Laguna machine I have no idea.

I have the H&F BP 355. Slightly more power but only 10'' depth of cut. A lot less cash. Should be on the to look at list.
As always on this what saw advise I would say look at a few models in the flesh before making the final call.
Good hunting
John

My first ever bandsaw was a 14" Scheppach Basato from Carbatec.

I still have it. But I also have got the carbatec 21" bandsaw with the 3hp motor. Obviously they are used for different purposes in my workshop. The 14" won't resaw 10" of gidgee but the 21" can do this easily with a 1" x 2tpi tungsten carbide blade. Conversely it is not really economical powerwise or bladewise to use the 21" saw for cutting tight curves. (the 1/4" and 1/8" blades would be far more expensive for the 21" machine a far more susceptible to breakage with 3hp dragging them round the wheels.

My solution to the upgrade problem was to upgrade by getting another bigger bandsaw and keeping the small one as well.

The Laguna 14" saw was not available when I made this decision and it is the only thing that I have seen (I have seen the Laguna on display and cut some veneers with it at a WWW show) that would come close to doing all I want with only one bandsaw.

The main thing to remember about bandsaws is that you cannot get good results on a good bandsaw with a bad blade, but you MAY be able to get good results out of a cheap bandsaw with a good blade and a bit of tuning skills and minor modifications.

At the end of the day it is up to you to work out what you want the saw to do and pick out the one/s that will do it to the standard and budget you need to meet. As in almost everything in life its a compromise.

Cheers

Doug

One of the limitations s the maximum opening. You say you want to cut some guitar tops and backs... My 14" will only open far enough to cut ukelele tops. A 21" saw has a bigger opening and hopefully, (but not necessarily) a longer accessible blade length. In the end, it may be more economical to buy the guitar sets presawn.... especially if you are only going to build one or two and guitars.

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