This is about setting up the saw and first cut. Ran into a table flatness issue that seems to be caused by the trunion machining and a vibration. Waiting for Laguna support to get back with me.
I was excited to see a Laguna review. I’ve been wanting to get one for some time now but that may change depending on how they respond to these obvious manufacturing defects. It’s a shame that QC does not find and correct that before shipping to the customer. Hopefully they’ll also start painting the tension handle red going forward. Great idea.
It is one of those issues that does not show up untill the table is tightened. The wheels should have been more accurate for the price. I think it will be a great saw with a couple fixes. I really like the ceramic guides. Got an email from them last night asking if anyone called back so hopefully someone will call back soon. Thanks for watching
Just got a call from Laguna. They reviewed the video and are sending replacement parts. They also sent the video to the manufacturer to check if this could have happened on other machines. The customer support guy said they have seen very few issues with this model other then setup questions.
That is what they have the manufacturer in Taiwan looking into. I was told each wheel went through 5 machining and ballancing operations and any out of tollerance ones should have been weeded out. I am sure they will be checked now.
It took a while. I see a comment from another person with just about the same issues with no parts available for a long time. I definitely would not have purchased it if I knew how the bearings were not preloaded and the wheel has to go back to Taiwan to be reballanced if the pulley slips or the lower wheel has to be disassembled for bearing replacement. Poor engineering to save money. Thanks for watching.
It really surprised me seeing the issues with this new machine. I have seen comments from another with similar problems and no parts available so I don't think it was just my machine. Thanks for watching.
I have had to shim the odd trunion now and again but if you need to shim you will only need it on one half of the right half of the trunion. I will usually degrease, sand out and then Epoxy in brass shim stock of the correct thickness. I've never had one of my brass shims come loose. *** Shift the tracking of the blade back so that the gullets are in the center of the blade and move the guide blocks about 1/32 to 1/16" in back of the gullets. *** The ceramic blocks are stuck to the aluminum holders with CA glue and during long, hard , tough jobs it's possible to generate enough heat to weaken the glue bond . You will notice when that happens as the block goes flying. Clean up the old CA with acetone and reinstall using flexible, medium or thick CA, not thin. ** You can also cut and fit some rosewood, ebony or African blackwood blocks in the place of the ceramic ones if the situation demands it. And it may demand it if you ever have a task that requires you to run the saw with the blocks in full contact with the blade. I wouldn't want to trim the teeth with the ceramic blocks. Replacement blocks sets are very $$$$ too.*** Without taking off the lower tire you don't know if your wackiness is the tire or the wheel, if your tire urethane or rubber? If it's urethane I'd put a round blade screw driver between the tire and the wheel and pull it around the circumference of the wheel several times to try and even out any tension that the installer put into the tire when the wheel and tire were assembled and then put the indicator on it again. Laguna glues their rubber tires down and they are easy to get off but cleaning the remaining adhesive off a wheel can take an hour, (ask me how I know).*** Laguna does not use Loctite on the set screws used to jack up the throat plate, use Loctite the throat plate set screws as it's hard to get them to keep their settings. .*** Laguna can make a good machine, when they make a good machine but their after sale service is known to suck.*** Addendum,,, Don't hammer the brake pedal too hard when stopping the blade press on it nice and easy. The brake works really well and can stop the spin in a second, or so it seems. It's very possible tp break a blade if you try and stop it too fast.
Thanks. It sure doesn't seem right having to shim a new $2000.00 saw. That looks like an easy part to replace and must have slipped in the fixture when machining. The guides are very east to set up and seem to do a good job I will have to keep an eye on them as they are all new to me. I plan on dropping the throat plate 1/16" and putting a zero clearance piece of lexan on it like I did on my table saw. It looks like a nice saw when we get the bugs worked out. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much for making this series of videos! I was all set to order one of these and after seeing your videos there’s no possible way I would. Not willing to pay $2000 for something I have to immediately disassemble and fix.
This is a machine I definitely would not buy again or reccomend. corners were cut that should not have been. Recently I had a problem the motor would not start and I found there is no overload starter for protection and just a cheap contactor with a corroded connection. Now I am looking at replacing those cheap ceramic guides with something better that won't constantly slip out of adjustment. I would never touch another Laguna product after this. Thanks for watching.
I couldnt have had a better setup on my 18BX. Perfect balance, no trunnion issue and fence as set was bang on. no drift whatsoever. I cut logs on mine for live edge work so I bolted on a homemade extension table and have passed through 15" diameter logs without slowing it down. It really is the ultimate saw. Too bad there was problems with this one. but glad to know customer service corrected it right away. Dust collector is a must!!!! Two shop vacs couldnt collect the dust but my 2hp dust collector does.
At first it seemed like a warped table but it looks like that trunnion was ground wrong. The wheel has that bump out around the spoke that looks like the cause of the vibration. A trunnion and wheel are on the way and hopefully it will be an easy swap. It cut through the walnut like butter and looks like it will be a great saw once the bugs are worked out. The packaging was amazing and the finish is flawless. I have it hooked to my 2 hp dust collector now but it has 1 four inch hose with a wye to both ports and hope that will be enough. I'll do an update once thee parts arrive. Thanks for watching.
I sincerely appreciate your honest and thorough evaluations of products. Between this and the Incra 5000 videos, you’ve saved me money and headaches. I’m also impressed by how many responses you give to commenters of your videos. Incidentally, do you have a suggestion for a bandsaw brand? I read some of your replies to other posts that you wouldn’t recommend Laguna, didn’t know if you’ve come across a better option.
This is the only one I have tried and can't recommend anything I have not tried. Look for one with properly installed bearings and a brake rotor that can't change the pulley ballance if it shifts. Also serviceable bearings so you don't have to send the wheel back to Taiwan for reassembly and balancing should a bearing go. Also look for a true 3hp with overload protection starter . This only has a cheap contactor with no overload protection that I discovered when it stopped working. Also look for a table with tilt support and decent trunnions that don't let it crash down when loosened. Support is another thing to consider. I definitely would not buy this again.
With over 22,000 subscribers, I bet Laguna has already seen this video, or has been told it exists. I'm sure you'll be hearing from them shortly. I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of it.
I got an email from them last night asking if anyone had gotten back with me about my table. So at least it looks like someone is looking into it. It is a very nice saw and it looks easy to swap out that trunion. Hopefully we can get it running a little smoother also. This is a fairly new product and I have only seen 1 other issue with a warped table that was solved. Thanks for watching.
Now that I have been contacted by their bandsaw support tech , they are sending out the parts to fix it and are investigating how these items slipped through at the manufacturer. It was more a mater of getting through to the right person that knows this saw inside out. The Laguna is supposed to have a stronger frame and had more resaw capacity then the Rikons that I looked into. I was told Laguna is in the process of expanding their support department. I think it will be a great saw once the bugs are worked out . The person running their facebook page was very helpfull at getting the case number to the proper person for help in the end. I now have a good feeling that Laguna will stand behind the saw untill the bugs are worked out. Thanks for watching
Had the same prob with the table on my 14 inch. The bottom guides on the 14 inch are difficult to adjust. You can touch all the knobs, but putting any kind of pressure on them is tough. I hang my power cord on the tensioning lever which reminds me to apply tension before using.
I am going to replace the guides with Carter guides in the future. Really don't like how the ceramic slip out of adjustment. I should have spent a little more for a better saw. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this review on the Laguna! I was getting very close to pulling the trigger on purchasing a Laguna band saw but after your review I'm going to put on the brakes and consider another manufacturer. Just too many deficiencies for my taste. The initial engineering and quality control are definitely deficient and less than desirable. A new (expensive!) unit like this should not have the many deficiencies as your unit did. I really expected more from Laguna. The real clincher for me was the poor Customer service you received (or DIDN"T receive!) when you called for tech services. Laguna is off my list and going to look at others. Thanks for your sincerity on your review. Sorry you had sooooo many problems with your new unit.
I expected it to be better. Their bandsaw tech guy finally got back with me and is sending a new trunion and lower wheel. He is also working with the manufacturer to ensure this has not happened on other machines. I think it will be a great saw once the issues are worked out but expected it to better out of the box. It is funny I switched to Laguna after having issues with Grizzly support and having 2 viewers of my tablesaw video buy the same saw have issues with improperly machined castings and having to ship them back for repair. It seems like it will be the luck of the draw with these offshore machines no matter who they are purchased from. I was told Laguna is expanding their support department now. I will do follow up videos untill it is properly fixed. I feel better now having contact info for a man that knows the saw inside out and actually uses one of the similar 14 inch models. Thanks for watching
Those sloppy tolerances are pretty frustrating on an expensive piece of equipment like this. It sure is fun to think about resawing though! Thanks for the video. Are the hinges on the doors plastic?
I think they are plastic. I just sent Laguna the video, hopefully they have a trunion that is machined better and can look at the wheel. It didn't even grunt with that walnut. Once I get it fixed and fully setup I will try some 15 inch ash.
Im not sure if any machine these days come out of the factory without some small problem somewhere. I was really looking hard at this saw and at grizzly. I know how good grizzly's customer service is and i've read alot of not so good about laguna's. I think you have helped me make up my mind but im going to hold off a few days to see how they handle your problems.
I bought this saw because of issues with Grizzly support on my planer and also having 2 people that bought the same 1023 saw as me after watching my videos saying they had to ship theirs back for repair to improperly machined castings. I definitely like the saw and think it will be great with a couple parts. Sounds like you always take a chance buying these offshore manufactured machines.
I bought a 1023 about 8 months ago after i saw your assembly and review. You helped me there as well... I guess i was lucky as my saw was perfectly adjusted and well machined. Arbor was .0002 tenths Left leaf was bowed .005 ths in the middle but im not going to argue that. Im still using the blade that no ones uses that came with it. I have a forrest on the shelf waiting for that one to dull. I hope you get this resolved.
Parts are on the way. They are also working with the manufacturer to ensure this has not happened on other machines. The tech support guy found the video helpfull and I now have direct contact info . Sounds like they have had very few problems with this model since it was introduced. Unlike Grizzly where the support techs only knew what was in the book, this tech knows the machine inside out.
Not to change the subject, but being that spring is here, how did you make out with the problem you were having with the new snowblower. Did you get it resolved.
I purchased a Laguna 20" Italian bandsaw two months ago and I still don't having it up and running. Laguna support has been a nightmare. The motor they shipped with the saw has a shaft that's too long and cannot be mounted. Trying to reach support is a horrendous experience as their phones aren't answered and their voicemail is always full. Occasionally I've been able to get through, but nothing actually gets resolved. I have called every two weeks and been told that a new motor is being shipped, then I hear nothing. They say they will send an email confirmation, then nothing. When I call again it's like I have to start the process all over again, even though they have an open case file for it. Occasionally they've suggested just cutting the shaft. No way. The technician will say he is going to go pull the part right now and call back . . . then, you guessed it, nothing. They took my $4,500 two months ago and I still cant even assemble the saw. It's a maddening process. Glad your issue was ultimately resolved. Hope mine will be too.
And I thought the Italian models were better. Mine was designed in Taiwan not America as advertised. It has a defective design for preloading the bearings and I am sorry I went with Laguna. Call and bug them every day and hit their Facebook page every day. The guy running the Facebook page finally found a responsible person to help me. Thanks for watching.
That looks like a nice saw and I looked at what it cost it wasn't cheap but the table cam and the bottom wheel being out that much to me is unexceptable they need to correct those 2 items please keep us updated when and if you here from them. Also what about the snow blower do they still have it do you still have the loaner from the dealer?
Laguna has the video now and hopefully will respond soon. I will make a follow up video. Looks like it will be a great saw once the bugs are worked out. The dealer still has my blower and the track loaner is still here. I have to get up there and talk to them soon . Thanks for watching.
You are right a $2000.00 machine that was packed and shipped as nicely as that was gives the impression of having everything machined, assembled and functioning perfectly with some understandable minor adjustments. What it does now, new out of the box may cause a problem down stream. Or maybe those anomalies you found are considered acceptable for a bandsaw. Now, I’m really anxious to see see their customer support in action.
They have the video now and hopefully will respond soon. The trunnion issue didn't show up untill the clamps were tightened so I can see how that would slip through. I am a little upset after seeing a video of the same saw with no runout and no vibration that helped me make up my mind to go with this model. Makes me wonder if it is the luck of the draw buying these offshore machines. I just hate waiting for call backs that never happen.
Parts are on the way, I feel very comfortable after talking to their tech support. They are working with the manufacturer to ensure this has not happened on other machines and this is not normal. Sounds like they are growing quickly and are in the process of expanding their tech support department so delays don't happen.
I thought i saw another youtube, where they used that bolt at the end of the saw slot to level the table, but i would check that i could be wrong, also WALNUT for tests yikes your rich!!!!!!
Walnut is a weed that grows in my back yard. I use it for firewood also. That bolt just holds the front edge even and if you loosen it things bend more. Thanks for watching
My delta is still a good saw but it struggles with 6 inch hardwood resawing. I just outgrew it and have a lot of wide walnut and ash to resaw. I think it willbe a great saw once the issues are worked out. Thanks for watching.
hi I did not see follow up video, could be I am just too green to understand where to look. All i get is the one that has you setting up and were waiting for solution. With that said, do you have any suggestions as too what tool is best in that size and price point. Resaw logs, large lumber as well smaller work.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tPtvdY9uErk.html here is the follow up. I use a Hudson hfe21 to saw logs into lumber. This is more for resawing after the lumber has been dried.
Ya, I saw the guides have thumb screws but otherwise looks the same. Perhaps they now the other model had a lot of issues. I can't resaw with mine. For me to get the drift out the fence is at a horrible angle.
That doesn't sound right. I had a new blade do that on my delta and it turned out it was not properly set. I didn't touch the drift angle and the laguna blade cut perfectly. I would try and set up the saw again starting with the basics. Give them a call, they may be able to help you.
Well I'm not impressed. The wheel runout and the gap in the trunnion is enough to make me pass on Laguna. There is another YT review on this model that had the same trunnion problem. That runout on the wheel is probably causing the vibration you mentioned. I had my heart set on a Tannewitz bandsaw but they are pretty expensive. The 18" Tannewitz is up around $5000. I'll look for a used one if I decide on it. Thanks for the video.
They eventually sent out a new casting that fixed the table and a lower wheel assembly from one of their demo machines they knew was good that solved the vibration. It has been running great since but I still have some long term concerns over not having preload spacers between the bearings and only being able to finger tighten the band wheel axle nuts because of that. Just had a comment from another purchaser with similar problems so it was not just mine. Thanks for watching.
great review, my friend look into sawblades.com. their retired military men and women that make saw blades to your need . i dont have any connections to them . just see them on the old speed channel on the automotive shows . they supposed to be fairly priced welder chuck2009 on youtube it may be chucky2009 uses them if you want to check him out. and again no connections
I actually talked to one of their sales reps at the farm show last year. I will give them a try someday. I had no idea they were all vetrans. I think chuck2009 gets everything for free so I don't fully trust his reviews about sponsored items. Thanks for watching.
I have the same saw, two years old now, and it's the biggest crap machine I ever bought.. My old Delta was much better. I hate the guides and payed up for Carter Products guides and they are only about two degrees belter. Hate those also. The biggest problem is the rotation in the shaft. As I saw in yours. I never could tune this saw. The only good thing about is it's power. I put it in my garage sale for a very cheep price and didn't sell. I will try again to get rid of it. I have a lot of machines but will never buy Laguna again. Hope you have better luck than I. I cuss it every time I walk by it. Cheers, Lee
They have only made this model for a couple months. I really like the guide system so far, it is very easy to adjust and simple. The parts to fix it are on the way and I think it will be a great saw once the bugs are worked out. Time will tell. Thanks for watching.
They are shipping a replacement trunnion and lower wheel . Still haven't received them. The old parts are off and I will do a follow up video after it is reassembled and tested.
Sorry to hear that. They should have rushed you the parts! Itll be interesting to see what you found when you removed the wheel. I went ahead and ordered the grizzly. It arrived yesterday and is assembled, setup and running.
They are not that bad for a big home shop bandsaw with 16 inch resaw capacity. The finish and welding is better then my grizzly machines. Parts are on the way to fix it and I think it will be a good machine. To get a better machine this size costs big bucks. Thanks for watching.
It was on the surface of the weld on that one side where it was not ground flat. It seems to be flat now but I haven't checked the guide. This is all new to me.
