Help/advice on what vertical band saw to buy

[Brad_bb]

I suspect with the kinds of things I do, I will probably need a bigger one.  I'll play with this small one for a bit and determine how big I'll need to go.

[firefighter ontheside]

Great deal.  14" saws can do a lot.  I'll have to watch the new videos.

[Downstream]

Just saw this thread today so obviously not able to help with decision already made.  sounds like you have found a nice unit to start with.  I have a Laguna 1412 bought about 5/6 yrs ago.  It has worked pretty well since I bought it new.  It quickly became one of my go to machines in the woodshop.  I have done resaw heights of at least 10 in with pretty good results.  Just like with the sawmill the blades make a big difference.  For resaw I used laguna resaw king carbide blade which works very well but crazy expensive at $150 ea.  I originally had problems breaking 2 of them but laguna replaced under warranty without much argument.  They seemed to think it was improper blade tension so I was continually trying to improve my ability to get proper tension.  Still not sure I have figured it out totally but have not broken one since. The other resaw blade I had luck with one called wood slicer which is more normal pricing in $30's.   thin and small teeth with higher tip it is completely different concept than resaw king style.  The biggest thing I did to improve performance and quality of cut was to replace band wheel tires to Carter urethane.  Instantly quieter and less vibration for smoother cut.  Also have not broken blade since.  I would immediately do this on any bandsaw in the future.  My standard curve cut blade is 3/16 but 1/4 would be good also. 

[Tom King]

I have that same saw, with riser, 1-1/2hp Baldor motor, and other upgrades.  I had a Resaw King for resawing on it.  After I bought the Centauro 24", and put the Lenox 1" Woodmaster 1.3 tpi blade on it, I did some comparisons.  The quality of cut was about the same.  

Cutting the same piece of 6" wide wood, that took 25 seconds on the 14" saw, took 2 seconds on the big one, or about as fast as I could push it through. I was using a sled on both of them, so no fingers were in danger.

I sold that Resaw King quickly.  I don't expect I'll ever put anything but a 3/8" blade on that 14" saw now.  Narrower blades go on the little 10" saws.

The larger the wheels, the more tension you can put on the blade, the wider the blade it can tension, and generally the faster the blade speed.

1/2" is the limit of blade for the 14" Delta, regardless of what blade manufacturers, or anyone claims.  You can put a 3/4" blade on it, but the 1/2" will give a better quality cut at about the same speed.

[DR Buck]

Late to this party, but I'll add my 1.5¢ .    I need a wide cut for slicing thick foam insulation board for house insulating.   I need 18" max so I splurged in the Grizzly 19" saw.    Cost drove my decision and the fact that nobody had a Laguna in stock and I neede3d it quickly.    The Grizzly was here 5 days after ordering.    ;D  

Since doing the insulation I haven't done a lot of wide cuts but its worked perfect for everything I've needed.    The quality is pretty good and I'm happy with it.     This past week I put on a 10 TPI blade and for the first time cut 1/4"  thick aluminum plate.   I was happy and completely surprised how easy and well it cut.   Its the only Grizzly tool I own, but I would go back to them if I need something else.      . . . . . .   I am thinking about a new drill press.  ;D





  

[Larry]

I have a couple of the Laguna Resaw Kings.  They give the smoothest cut of any blade.  The downside is the wide kerf.  I hate wasting expensive wood, so only run them when absolutely necessary.

In production mode on epoxy/resin coasters.  Slice a large block of resin/wood into coasters most quick.  The problem is epoxy sands differently than wood so wanting to minimize sanding I put on the Resaw King.  When sawing epoxy it looks like I'm in a snowstorm as the stuff flies everywhere and I do have dust collection.

[tule peak timber]

I did not have good luck with ANYTHING Laguna and switched to Lennox Woodmaster CT's for resaw. I put a blade lube attachment on the resaw last year and now measure by the mile the amount of resaws per blade.