Thread: Laguna LT18-3000. Is this REALLY how they are meant to be?

I don't think you will be disappointed with the Minimax.

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

Originally Posted by Allison74

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

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Larks

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.

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

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