Looking for user reviews of an intelligent sort.  I want to set up my Jet 14 inch band saw with the carter blade support and acquire another band saw to keep a 14 inch to 1/2 inch blade in for curve cuts of various sorts and chair/table legs, and the occasional re saw.

 

Thought about a Laguna 14 SUV, but $1700 is more than I want to spend.

 

Thinking $300-$1000, which would include an older (preferably American made ) Delta, a few various Rikon saws, a used Powermatic 141, The various Grizzly saws in range, and the Laguna 14/12.

 

I have no idea what I am going to do. There seem to be few decent used machines on the market, and the used American made deltas are starting to bring stupid money.  Nice saw, but I am not going to pay brand new Laguna price for one....

 

Like the Idea of Laguna but hate buying a Chinese made saw...

 

Used Powermatic 141---two are available on Craigslist at the moment, one is in Chattanooga and one is in Michigan...thinking probably enough crown to the wheels that I  would have problems running a 1 inch blade for resaw work. Also $500-600 for an ancient saw seems like a good chunk of change for something 40-50 years old...

 

Rikon/Sears models in range...a few good reviews, lots of bad reviews and I ahve talked with several woodworkers who ahve regretted a Rikon purchase.

 

Any ideas anyone has are welcome....not going to do anything until I get a tax return or maybe summer. But this is high on my priority list for this year.

 

Thanks!

 

I see those Delta saws fairly often in the $300 range, occasionally down to $200 (much less often). Just be patient, one will show up. A friend recently found a used MM16 for $1000, though I'm not sure I've ever seen one that cheap; point being, you never know what will show up.

Edited January 11, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis, Jr

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

I see those Delta saws fairly often in the $300 range, occasionally down to $200 (much less often). Just be patient, one will show up. A friend recently found a used MM16 for $1000, though I'm not sure I've ever seen one that cheap; point being, you never know what will show up.

 

I think patience is the name of the game....

 

If I save long enough, who knows, maybe a used Italian band saw ill come up at a good price. Laguna 1412 would seem like an obvious choice, but I really don't like buying anything Chinese.

Isn't that Laguna an Asian saw (not sure where in Asia)? Not bashing it, but it seems like it's not Italian.

Edited January 11, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis, Jr

13 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Isn't that Laguna an Asian saw (not sure where in Asia)? Not bashing it, but it seems like it's not Italian.

 

It is Chinese with a Taiwanese made motor....unless you get the LT 18 HD which is four grand....and then its Italian....

But yes, 14/12, 14BX, and 14SUV are all Chinese.  14 SUV at least has an American made motor, I think.

 

Crying shame when I can buy an Italian band saw, a French band saw, an Austrian band saw, a German band saw, a Chinese band saw, a Taiwanese band saw....but buying American means something made back when Lydon Johnson was president....