Looking for new bandsaw: Laguna 14/12?

I have and LOVE my 1412. The construction is amazingly solid, bearings that won't quit, Fit and finish is as nice as its performance. I've had it for a little over a year. I also got a Resaw King blade, which does and exceptional job. I also got mine on sale at Rockler.

I'm old, but using the video online about assembling it, I was easily able to assemble. Hint, don't be too quick to take the main part out of the foam packing. It's easier to move into position that way. You should also have a couple of 2x6s on hand to use during assembly.

I also had the Delta bandsaw, but it's a toy compared to the 1412. I fell for it when a friend and I went down to Laguna's HQ. He's an engineer and was totally impressed and bought the 20 inch.

I also bought a half, 3/8ths and 1/4 blade for it. Since then they introduced a model with a footbreak, but it is rather pricey for that feature. The 1412 winds down fairly slowly when you hit the off switch but it's not bad. I didn't buy the light, but did get the rolling base. Here's a picture of the way I set up a light. There are four pre-drilled holes, so I attached the light there. There's a plug for the light on the back of the spine. I used a 50w equivalent LED you see in the picture, and it really illuminates the blade area. I spent $12 for the goose neck lamp.

The Laguna fence is a dual purpose one. A low fence one way, turn it and it's a tall fence. Veddy clever. There are a number of other worthy saws, but for me, the Laguna outshines them all on sheer workmanship alone. Latuna set out to rule this class and they succeeded.

I also have a Laguna Fusion saw, when I assembled it, one wing was a tiny bit warped, so I called and they said, bring the saw in. I did and when I arrived, they'd assembled and set up a brand new saw! And then they used their machined steel straight edges and tested for flatness! You're not going to find a better saw in its class or better support. It has pretty much set the standard. On sale, its maybe 200-250 more than other 14 inchers, but to me, its worth every cent. Having compared it to Jet and Rikon, there was not much question about preference. You've probably read the reviews, most of which are sterling.

In other words, no hesitation on recommending the 1412. But do look up the assembly videos, it will make setup easy.

You will love working with it. I got $325 for the old Delta and a bunch of accessories and blades. Sorry the picture is sideways. I have no idea how to straighten it out.

furboo said:

Great comments, folks. Thanks a lot! I'm thinking of spending a bit more and getting the 14BX (110v).

Regardless, I have a fairly small shop, and it needs to be mobile. Is the mobility kit any good, or did you go with some other solution?
@DesertRatTom I see you have the optional light. How do you like it? The Laguna site also has an alternative, with an arm:

https://lagunatools.com/accessories/bandsaw-accessories/bandsaw-lights/110v-halogen-light/

I'd prefer to convert either to LED, rather than halogen.

Click to expand...

@Furbo. I don't like their halogen light, so I set up my own. I attached a round electrical box (drilled 4 holes in the bottom to match the pre-drilled holes for their light mount. No new holes.

I took the base off a $13 goose neck table lamp, drilled a hole to mount it in the box and ran the wire back to the plug. The light is an LED spotlight, about 50 watt equiv. The gooseneck lets you aim the light directly at the blade. The stock light leaves the work area in a shadow and it is hot.

I haven't looked at their alternative, didn't know they had one. The old light has botten bad reviews.

The mobility base is a must if you're going to move it. It's a top heavy beast (all bandsaws are), so you want to move it carefully because it has 3 wheels and is easily tipped. However, I'd say the base is a must.

The brake is like an automotive disk brake. Clever. I'll take a peek at the light you mentioned.

I think you're really going to love the saw. Get blades while you're at it. The Resaw King for it isn't all that expensive, and the blades are all quite long (115 inches) so you'll have to order them.

@furboo That alternative light is the same halogen unit mounted on a bendable arm. Don't know if you can sub out LED in it. But my light project only took an hour or two to set up. It was so easy I did the same on the 12 inch saw I keep in the shop out back. Abut 23 bucks and far nicer looking. My light looks nicer and gives great coverage--extremely bright.

My 1412 lives in my newly insulated garage with the jointer, planer and track saw. Occasionally, I go out there and just pat it. For much of my life, I couldn't really afford high quality tools, so the laguna tools are deeply appreciated.

Have fun picking it up. Having a friend help is nice, but the only part of the process that was a stretch for me was getting it off my truck and onto the garage floor. But I lowered it using my knees to ease it down. After that it was pretty easy. This will get you to the assembly and tune up videos. There are 14 of them. :grin:

@furboo Here is a corrected picture of the light installed on the saw. It has a small toggle switch on it for on'off. You can see the bulb clearly. I bought a black painted fisture at Target. It matches the saw's finish.

If I were doing it again, I'd use an L bracket to mount it withe 4 holes drilled and attach it so the second leg went straight out. I'd drill a hole in that and put the lamp base through that. Simpler than putting in a box. To string the cord through, I'd remove the plug, then run the wire and add a new plug after cutting the wire to the right length, plus a couple of inches just in case. But I wouldn't put in a switch because the light goes on only when the saw is plugged in. I have never turned the light on or off. I think it makes a nice looking rig.

Another advantage of making your own light is that at $23 vs $150 bucks, you saved enough to buy a Resaw King blade.