Good post.

When you refer to the Laguna 16, were you referring to the 16 or the 16HD.
They are different saws from different maufacturers. The 16HD is really the
one that competes with the MM16.

Although I have not been looking for it, I have not seen the tension spec on
any of the websites. Do you find that that spec is available from most
vendors?

BTW $1K was a general price point, not really a limit. I would say that $2K
would be an absolute limit tax/shipping etc.


"DarylRos" wrote in message
...
I would really regret going up-market? By the same token, should I give
the
Delta/Jet etc... 14"-ers a closer look.

Well, I looked at them all, and settled, quite happily, for a MiniMax 16.
Quite
expensive, but a great saw.

If you are looking for a better small saw, then go with the Delta or
Laguna.
The riser block is not really a kludge, since it works very well. The
bandsaw
issues that no one ever really addresses a blade quality and tension
application.

I think few people would now consider any tablesaw blade that is not
carbide
based. They last longer, and now give great cuts. So why not the same for
a
bandsaw. The only really good carbide bandsaw blade is made by Lennox--go
with
the 1/2". The resawing is great, and will last a very log time. They are
expensive, but so are Freud and Forrest TS blades. This leads to problem
no. 2:

Tension. You will never get the Delta or clones, including Jet to provide
more
than 10,000-15,000 psi of tension; the American Delta more than the others
(including the cheaper, but crappier Chinese Delta-you will know which by
the
price). The Laguna 16" model can't handle the 25,000-30,000 Lennox
recommends,
so I assume the 14" can't either. The MiniMax gets that in its sleep.

I've used the Delta 14" and Jet 16" steel bandsaw. The Delta is plain
better,
so it's also reasonable to figure the 14" American Delta is better than
the Jet
and other clones. So if you don't want to go over $1,000, go with the
highest
end Delta, but don't forget a good blade. Plus check out Iturra Design,
for the
upgrades you will want to make the saw even better.