On 7/5/2011 11:55 AM, Leon wrote:
On 7/5/2011 9:05 AM, J. Clarke wrote:
In articlexJSdnV9XqIDmkY7TnZ2dnUVZ5qednZ2d@giganews. com, lcb11211
@swbelldotnet says...

On 7/4/2011 5:54 PM, zzzzzzzzzz wrote:

I think I'm getting close to buying a 14" bandsaw (perhaps after it
cools down
and I can get into the "shop" again). Searching the web for reviews and
comparisons, as usual, leaves more questions than answers. I say 14",
primarily because of the weight of larger saws. It has to go in an
attic over
a garage and though the floor is pretty sturdy (2x8s crossways on
2x12s) and
has no bounce, much over 300 pounds worries me.

I've been considering a Rikon 10-325 for some time but some of the
reviews
aren't very complimentary (blade change and adjustment). The Jet
14DXPRO and
Grizzly G0457 also have some detractors and some pretty serious problem
reports. The Laguna LT14 3000 is within range, too, but being the
low-end
it's missing a lot, it seems. I've also looked at the LT14x14SUV and
LT14SE,
out of interest (and still a possibility). The SUV looks like a
really sweet
saw and in fact better (and heavier) than the SE, which is a few
hundred more.
Discussion?



Is this a first time BS or an upgrade?

I had a Rikon 18"er for an upgrade saw for about 2 weeks and returned
it. It was slightly better than my plastic covered Craftsman.

I had to go with a Laguna and considered the MiniMax to upgrade.

I simply hated roller bearing guides, especially noisy and they
introduce a lot of vibration when cutting wood that may be sticky.

Laguna has the guide situation solved.

What do you think you would be missing with that model?

I think you should consider easy blade changes a must. I have often
heard with jig saws and band saws that blade changes are not important
because they don't change blades often. So either they don't saw much
or they deal with a dull blade. If you want the saw to perform as an
upgrade you want to be able to easily change the blade when it is dull
or is the wrong blade for the application..
Blade tension release IMHO is not important. Most tension releases do
not fully release the tension, they simply lessen the tension. What's
the point?

Increased blade life.

What is the point of a blade tension release if it does not truely
release all the tension?





The blade tension adjustment will accomplish the same thing.

But takes longer. Tension doesn't get released on saws without one
unless the operator has a supervisor who makes him do it or is unusually
attentive to such matters.

Noe enough longer to make it a deal breaker if the saw comes with out one.





Blade brake are cool bet not necessary.

Safety feature. Probably government-mandated in the EU.

My Laguna does not have one, not a safety feature, it is a fad thing IMHO.


OOPs my Laguna does have a blade break, not a tension release. Not all
BS, even today, have blade breaks.