Updated new question: What would you do? - Laguna Resawmaster

[Jeff Sudmeier]

So, my uncle is moving out of the country and he asked me if I would be willing to sell his woodworking tools for him. I love to shop and sell tools so I said sure, we are meeting soon to put his prices on all of the tools and then I will try to sell them for more, hence my "cut".

He wants $1,000 for a Laguna Resawmaster bandsaw that has never been used. He bought it from someone who had never used it. I helped him set it up but he never used it.

This thing is HUGE and I just don't ever see me getting into veneer work. Even if I did, I think I would buy veneer rather than making it. (I don't have a good source of exotics around here).

So what would I use this huge bandsaw for, if not resawing?

I do not currently have a bandsaw so I need one, so this is an opportunity to use it, but is it too big?

If I don't keep it, what should I ask for it? They are currently $4,400 new...

[Jeff Willard]

Got the space? Got the coin? Keep it. It's a bandsaw, you can use it for anything you may ever use any other bandsaw for. The chances of ever running across a new saw with that value for that price again, approaches something close to nil.

No such thing as too much bandsaw, provided you have room for it.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Yeah, I know I won't ever need a bigger bandsaw, but if I never use the full size is it worth the increased blade cost, etc for it?

I don't really have the space, but I am going to get a floor standing bandsaw at some point and this one doesn't take up that much more space..

If all I use it for is curved cuts in up to 8/4 stock will it do as good of a job as a saw designed to do those cuts?

In other words will the resaw master make the smaller cuts better than a good 14" bandsaw?

[Dino Drosas]

Don't let that one get away, especially at that price. That saw is is very close to the 20 inch and can be used as any regular band saw. I have a Laguna 24" and could not be happier. Where are you located? Dino

[Chuck Saunders]

In reality, the blade cost is the same. The blade is longer and therefore will cut longer before dulling since each tooth sees wood less often than a smaller blade. keep it

[Jeff Sudmeier]

You guys suck :)

I was really hoping for justification for not keeping it... it's still a ton of cash and I don't know if I can come up with it... He also has a big nice new cyclone that is NIB that I am getting for sure because my current setup is horrible so that's more cash..

Anyone have a reason not to keep it and instead sell it? Remember I get the money that it sells for over 1k :)

[Larry Fox]

Got the space? Got the coin? Keep it. It's a bandsaw, you can use it for anything you may ever use any other bandsaw for. The chances of ever running across a new saw with that value for that price again, approaches something close to nil.

No such thing as too much bandsaw, provided you have room for it.

+1

I would also rethink your statement on veneer. That saw opens up a whole bunch of possibilities for you. Never mind exotics, it is really cool to be able to take an 8/4 slab of wood and resaw it into lots and lots of veneer - really allows you to get lots more yield from your stock and do some really cool wide panels.

Back to the saw - don't let that one slip away. Worst case scenario is that you get it and realize that you don't need it and resell down the road. You will still come out ahead.

[Doug Shepard]

Even if you dont plan on cutting your own veneer, just being able to cut a thicker piece into 2 bookmatched panels is a big plus. And you can cut thicker veneer than what you'll be able to buy. The kind that doesn't burn through at the touch of a ROS. Put a narrower blade on it for doing curved cuts. You're really going to kick yourself later if you let this go at that price.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I know, I've been drooling over it, prodding him for 5 years to sell it to me, it's just so huge that it's tight in the shop and money isn't exactly coming out of my ears..

I think you guys convinced me, it's just a question of how long he will wait for the cash.

I also have to figure out if the cyclone comes with ducting...

Other than the cyclone and the bandsaw he has a shaper that I would love to have, but there's no way I can fit it in my shop, it's just too big. I'd really like it but I'm crossing that one off of the list. (Delta shaper with delta power feeder for $600).

[Paul Murphy]

So what would I use this huge bandsaw for, if not resawing?

I do not currently have a bandsaw so I need one, so this is an opportunity to use it, but is it too big?


I wouldn't say the saw is too "big", but the whole design has concentrated on the resaw function. I would be satisfied with those tradeoffs made, but then I also have a 14" saw that handles small blades. Laguna specifications list the Min. Blade as 3/8", so you would be limited to that blades radius of cut.

That said, and even though I need another major machine and the task of moving one like I need a hernia, I would be interested in the saw if it is single phase 220V, and if you decide not to keep it.

Make sure to get the specifications of the saw as it exists, because earlier models may not reflect the current version's specifications.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I wouldn't say the saw is too "big", but the whole design has concentrated on the resaw function. I would be satisfied with those tradeoffs made, but then I also have a 14" saw that handles small blades. Laguna specifications list the Min. Blade as 3/8", so you would be limited to that blades radius of cut.

That said, and even though I need another major machine and the task of moving one like I need a hernia, I would be interested in the saw if it is single phase 220V, and if you decide not to keep it.

Make sure to get the specifications of the saw as it exists, because earlier models may not reflect the current version's specifications.

Ahh yes, I remember that now, the current specifications are VERY close to this saw there is a minor difference but I don't recall what it was.

So, how many times would you want a blade smaller than 3/8", what cuts would I be limited on because I couldn't run a 1/4" blade? Could those cuts be made on a scrollsaw?

Thanks for all the help guys!!

[Andrew Gibson]

Wait, If your getting a cut for helping your uncle sell his tools, can your cut be tools?

Of course I don't know the details of the agreement but I think a negotiation may be in order and see if your uncle can afford to be generous (if your the favorite Nephew).

If it were me and I could scrape up the cash I would have to keep the saw. At the very least keep it for a while and if you find it is really more machine then you want to use, sell it. I would think that you could get 2x or 3x more then the grand your uncle wants for it.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Wait, If your getting a cut for helping your uncle sell his tools, can your cut be tools?

Of course I don't know the details of the agreement but I think a negotiation may be in order and see if your uncle can afford to be generous (if your the favorite Nephew).

If it were me and I could scrape up the cash I would have to keep the saw. At the very least keep it for a while and if you find it is really more machine then you want to use, sell it. I would think that you could get 2x or 3x more then the grand your uncle wants for it.


Yes, my cut can definately be the tools, but the rest of what he has isn't going to be hugely profitable to sell. By far the most profitable will be the bandsaw..

[Paul Murphy]

Ahh yes, I remember that now, the current specifications are VERY close to this saw there is a minor difference but I don't recall what it was.

So, how many times would you want a blade smaller than 3/8", what cuts would I be limited on because I couldn't run a 1/4" blade? Could those cuts be made on a scrollsaw?

Thanks for all the help guys!!

There is a generic table with radius of cut, and I will try and post that. The 3/8" blade shows a 1-1/2" radius of cut, the 1/4" blade a 5/8" radius of cut. It is not quite that simple though, because blade thickness and "set" (kerf produced) will change those values.

For example you couldn't saw some of the profiles I've seen on reproduction bracket feet, nor could you do those same cuts on a scrollsaw. If you are looking to saw thinner stock, then the scrollsaw would be in it's element.

Radius of cut table (hope this formats correctly):


Blade Width


1/8"


3/16"


1/4"


3/8"


1/2"


3/4"


1"


Cut Radius


3/16"


5/16"


5/8"


1 1/2"


2 1/2"


5 1/2"


7"

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Alrighty, I'll do my best to get it. For the most part a 1 1/2" radius will be fine but there will be times I will go back to the old jig saw or scroll saw and if those add up maybe I'll resell or get another bandsaw.

My main issue now is coming up with the cash. I have hemoraged money lately on tools, none that I regret but the tool budget is very small :)

[Van Huskey]

You really can't lose on this one. Consider this, if your cut is enough on the rest of the tools you might get the Laguna for your time to sell the other tools. Plus you could use it an at any time you need the cash the Laguna will bring more than $1,000 for a VERY long time. I would love to have that saw and if you were closer to me I would be trying to convince you to sell it...to me!

[Mike Wilkins]

As a very satisfied owner of a LT18, I say find a way to keep it. A machine for this price will never show up again. And it is not just for resawing veneers.
Whatever you will use a bandsaw for, this machine will do it and then some.

[Michael Peet]

[...] if you were closer to me I would be trying to convince you to sell it...to me!

LOL, I was going to say exactly the same thing almost verbatim.

Mike

[Brett Nelson]

Ah man, what I wouldn't give for a Laguna bandsaw, let alone a resaw master

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Okay so I kept it and got it wired up and fired up.

It really is a sweet machine. I'm still looking for a smaller bandsaw to do curves and such.

I'm glad I kept it but I still really need a smaller bandsaw too! :)

[Greg Portland]

So, how many times would you want a blade smaller than 3/8", what cuts would I be limited on because I couldn't run a 1/4" blade? Could those cuts be made on a scrollsaw?

I'm glad I kept it but I still really need a smaller bandsaw too!
That is a limitation of the GUIDES, not the saw. I use 3/16" blades on my Laguna without any problems. However, I install woodblocks as guides when I use blades smaller than 1/2". In other words, your big saw can do it all with some minor modifications (you can build the wood guides in your shop). Look at "cool blocks" to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

Yes, a scrollsaw would be able to make these cuts but would be harder to guide in a straight line (no fence) and would cut more slowly.

[Peter Quinn]

Glad that worked out for you. Big saw, big smile.

[Thomas love]

Plus one on what Greg said of the guides being the limiting factor. I have a re-saw master for 10 ten years now and swathed long ago to the ceramic guides, you have one nice saw there. The more you use it you will find that some of the ripping tasks you normally do on the table saw on solid stock, you will do on the band saw. You made a good choice IMO.
tom.

[David Weaver]

Okay so I kept it and got it wired up and fired up.

It really is a sweet machine. I'm still looking for a smaller bandsaw to do curves and such.

I'm glad I kept it but I still really need a smaller bandsaw too! :)

Awesome. You'll love it. You can rip stuff on it you wouldn't think of ripping quickly on a TS, and the next time you ram something 5 inches thick across it as fast as you can push, you'll be glad you got it.

I would've bought it in a heartbeat for that.