I bought a used Gi 18 inch. I didn't realize it was an import until I got
home. It cuts really well and is very nicely built. The cast iron tables are
first rate. I will replace the plastic handles with metal but I am very
happy with it. I paid $650 with 10 Timberwolf blades and a shop fox rolling
base.
max
American Woodworker magazine, Oct-04. Part 2 of a Bandsaw review. Part 1
covered smaller machines.
Dave
"Stephen M" wrote in message
...
BTDT
1 Laguna LT16 (16") - $1500 I have heard some rumours about the
Bulgarian models
Nice fence, revolutionary guides. Shipping was brutal and presales support
turned me off. They just did not want to find a way to get a saw to me
without me eating $250 in shipping costs. People can be creative if they
really want to. I just felt like a small fish nuissance small fish.
I also heard some customer service horror stories about them not being
able
to fix vibration problems on their lower end machines.
2 General International 90-270 (18") - $1600
That looks like a honey of a machine. With CI wheels, that thing will spin
down for *minutes*. Seriously. A foot break is nice to have.
There was a reviw by one of the mags about 6-8 months ago about 18" saws.
Google the group to determine which rag it was.
FWIW, their top "value" machine was a Rikon at around $900. A machine I
was
not aware of when I was doing my research. I would give that one a look
too.
Good luck, Let us know what you choose and write a review.
-Steve
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