Went to a woodworking show in Toronto yesterday and while wandering around,
I came across a display of Laguna bandsaws. I was extremely impressed by the
veneer strips they were cutting off blocks of hardwood.

The blades on the Lagunas were about 1 1/2" in size. The veneer strips were
less than 1/16" in thickness and about 8" x 6" in size. I'd categorize them
to be as flawless a cut as I've ever seen. Didn't bother to ask what one of
these monster machines sold for because I knew I wasn't ready to trade the
car in for one of these beauties. But one has definitely been added to my
wish list.

It sounds like they may have been using their Resaw king blade. they
are very, very, extremely proud of it and charge accordingly. hey if
it does what you described, maybe its worth it.

Bob

wrote in message
It sounds like they may have been using their Resaw king blade. they
are very, very, extremely proud of it and charge accordingly. hey if
it does what you described, maybe its worth it.

It might have been. The blade on this Laguna band saw reminded me of one of
those pictures of a great white shark baring all its teeth. I didn't inquire
further because I was too distracted by this perfectly thin, perfectly flat
piece of veneer. At first I didn't believe the veneer strip had been cut on
the band saw until I matched the grain with the solid block of wood behind
it. I don't think I've ever seen a more graphic sample of what a tool can
do. When you see something like that you know that if money wasn't an issue,
this is the one you'd buy without even thinking of looking at anything else.

If you want a better bandsaw for veneer, get an Aggazani.
The wheels are machined, so there is no vibration.
The Laguana are rubber wheels.

"Upscale" wrote in message
...
Went to a woodworking show in Toronto yesterday and while wandering
around,
I came across a display of Laguna bandsaws. I was extremely impressed by
the
veneer strips they were cutting off blocks of hardwood.

The blades on the Lagunas were about 1 1/2" in size. The veneer strips
were
less than 1/16" in thickness and about 8" x 6" in size. I'd categorize
them
to be as flawless a cut as I've ever seen. Didn't bother to ask what one
of
these monster machines sold for because I knew I wasn't ready to trade the
car in for one of these beauties. But one has definitely been added to my
wish list.

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Grossbohlin"
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:59 PM
Subject: Porter Cable 314


My new PC 314 showed up the other day. I was pleased to find the edges of
the base parallel to the blade and the saw in fine condition. I've only made
a few cuts with the saw but am pleased already... it's much friendlier to
use than my PC 7 1/4" saw for "fine" work. The 7 1/4" saw has seen a fair
amount of work lately as I'm working on my house. Thus the difference in the
feel of the saws was quite evident.

John

On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:55:51 GMT, "littlewing1"
wrote:

If you want a better bandsaw for veneer, get an Aggazani.
The wheels are machined, so there is no vibration.
The Laguana are rubber wheels.

I have the Laguna LT18, an older model but made in
Italy. The wheels are machined and balanced, it's the tires
that are rubber. The bandsaw has no vibration and passes
the nickel test easily, even during startup. Unless they've
changed their philosophy recently, all Laguna bandsaws
are made in Italy.

The lower end Laguna bandsaws have been made in Bulgaria for at least a
couple of years.

Bob

You are right. It is the tires that I was talking about.
Anyway, the tires are harder rubber, and machined on the Aggazani.

wrote in message
...
On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:55:51 GMT, "littlewing1"
wrote:

If you want a better bandsaw for veneer, get an Aggazani.
The wheels are machined, so there is no vibration.
The Laguana are rubber wheels.

I have the Laguna LT18, an older model but made in
Italy. The wheels are machined and balanced, it's the tires
that are rubber. The bandsaw has no vibration and passes
the nickel test easily, even during startup. Unless they've
changed their philosophy recently, all Laguna bandsaws
are made in Italy.

wrote:

I have the Laguna LT18, an older model but made in
Italy. The wheels are machined and balanced, it's the tires
that are rubber. The bandsaw has no vibration and passes
the nickel test easily, even during startup. Unless they've
changed their philosophy recently, all Laguna bandsaws
are made in Italy.

Actually, a few models are made in Bulgaria.

I've got the LT16SEC - made in Italy - 2.5 hp Meber
bright bright blue TEFC motor (bright colors seem
to be favored by Italian companies). I can balance
a dime on edge on the table, start the machine, slice
and dice and the dime stays standing. So it ain't
necessary to get an Aggazzini to make 1/16th inch
slices. A good "blade lead" adjustable fence, some
fair to good guides, set right, a 1/2" 3 tpi hook tooth
blade tensioned properly and you're off and running
making translucent slices.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/Resawing1.html

charlie b

wrote:

I have the Laguna LT18, an older model but made in
Italy. The wheels are machined and balanced, it's the tires
that are rubber. The bandsaw has no vibration and passes
the nickel test easily, even during startup. Unless they've
changed their philosophy recently, all Laguna bandsaws
are made in Italy.

I think the light duty versions are made in Bulgaria but the main line models
(Laguna & Minimax) are Italian.

I have the MM16 and like the Lagunas, they will do most anything. For
resawing veneers, the key is a good blade and the ability to tension it high
enough.

-Bruce

Upscale wrote:

wrote in message
It sounds like they may have been using their Resaw king blade. they
are very, very, extremely proud of it and charge accordingly. hey if
it does what you described, maybe its worth it.

At close to $2 US per inch (might even be more) it'd have to
do the cutting and the stacking. On my LT16SEC with a blade
length of 130 inches I can buy a lot of considerably less
expensive blades in batches of 50.


It might have been. The blade on this Laguna band saw reminded me of one of
those pictures of a great white shark baring all its teeth. I didn't inquire
further because I was too distracted by this perfectly thin, perfectly flat
piece of veneer. At first I didn't believe the veneer strip had been cut on
the band saw until I matched the grain with the solid block of wood behind
it. I don't think I've ever seen a more graphic sample of what a tool can
do. When you see something like that you know that if money wasn't an issue,
this is the one you'd buy without even thinking of looking at anything else.

Wouldn't happen to have been Torben, the president and founder of LT,
doing the slicing? He's a bandsaw freak - having done a lot of
laminated
stuff when he was still making furniture. And I'm betting the
bandsaw
had the LT ceramic guides as well (add another $250 US).

But really guys, what are you going to do with "see through" veneer
anyway? 1/16th inch and a little drum sanding is close enough.

charlie b

"charlie b" wrote in message

Wouldn't happen to have been Torben, the president and founder of LT,
doing the slicing? He's a bandsaw freak - having done a lot of
laminated stuff when he was still making furniture.

I didn't see anyone actually doing the slicing, the blocks of wood and their
respective slices were sitting there on each bandsaw table. For all I know,
they could have been cut in some high end woodworking shop. Next time I go
to one of these, I'll request a demonstration.

And I'm betting the bandsaw had the LT ceramic guides as well

Didn't notice that either one way or another. I guess I was too impressed by
the strips themselves to examine a little closer. That will come next time
too.