UsedLaguana 16" Italian model bandsaw

[Jack Gaskins]

I have a chance to buy a 2001 Laguna 16 bandsaw 4.5 hp. Guy wants $1500 firm. Is this a good deal?

[Andy Sowers]

I bought a Laguna 16" for $1100 about a year ago with the mobility kit. It was only a couple of years old in good condition. Oh, and mine was NOT the HD (heavy duty) model. Hope that helps.

[Jack Gaskins]

This is the HD model and the seller will not come down. On the flip side of that I found a Tannawitz 24 inch 3hp saw that is only a few years old for $2250 OBO and it sells new for $6100 but dont know if the darn thing will fit in my garage and it is 3phase power.

[David Kumm]

If the saws are in equal condition the deals are about the same. The LT 16 HD is about $3k new and the tanny is probably $4500 or so. The newer saws are generally heavier than the older ones. The one you are looking at is not likely a 6100 unit. Of the two I would take the larger but you will spend 400-500 to get the vfd and install it etc. The laguna will be easier to resell. Once you get over $2500 you can buy an old cast iron saw and be at the top of the food chain. If you are primarily into resawing, take the laguna, if doing sawing where the table and throat are important as well go for the Tanny. A 24" only looks big until you see a 36". Condition is the big deal in my world, not the cheapest price. Dave

[Bill Bukovec]

I would buy it.

A new 14" Laguna is about $1500.

Bill

[Mark Denovich]

The guy in Indianapolis right?

I enquired about the saw. I was turned off by the older guides, older/poorly reviewed fence and what I thought was a 50hz, 3.something HP motor (reported to run a bit hot.) My understanding was that they sold for about $1500-1800 back then... which might be just an exchange rate thing... I remember buying Italian car parts when the euro was worth $0.80. The newer generation of 16HDs are significantly more beefy and I would caution using them as the basis of your decision.

That said, if he was across town, I may have come to a different conclusion. Search "2001 Laguna LT16HD" in google and you'll find the same threads I read.

[Jim Stewart]

Buy it! I have the same saw and I use it for everything. The 2001 may have the Euro guides I am not sure. They are OK but I have the ceramic guides which I love. I rip with the saw, resaw for venner, and cut scrolls for legs etc. I cannot believe how good this thing is. This is my third bandsaw and the difference is night and day.

enjoy! Jim

[Dick Strauss]

Jack,
I can't comment on whether the prices are good or not. However, you can buy a 3 hp 220V/20A single phase input (220V/10.5A 3 phase output) VFD for $185 from Factorymation (http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/id.198/.f?sc=2&category=32). If the motor for the Tanny doesn't require more than 10.5A, the FM50-203-C will work fine on a std 220V/20A outlet.

Don't let anyone tell you you have to derate this VFD...it will run a 3hp motor all day as long as it doesn't require more than 10.5A!

[Jack Gaskins]

Jack,
I can't comment on whether the prices are good or not. However, you can buy a 3 hp 220V/20A single phase input (220V/10.5A 3 phase output) VFD for $185 from Factorymation (http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/id.198/.f?sc=2&category=32). If the motor for the Tanny doesn't require more than 10.5A, the FM50-203-C will work fine on a std 220V/20A outlet.

Don't let anyone tell you you have to derate this VFD...it will run a 3hp motor all day as long as it doesn't require more than 10.5A!

I called the Tannawitz company today (Ramco I think) and talked to Mr. Stoner about putting a VFD and he said he would only use a inverter/converter thingy. Then proceeded to try and sell me a new 20" Pro series for $3125. The saw up in Elkhart is the 24" Tanny that sells new for $6100. The seller said he would take offers but is asking $2250 and it is a 2003 model. He is the second owner but has not used the saw yet but did put a new blade on it. I would have to drive 2 and a half hours each way to go take a look at it. I would buy it for less if I was sure I could get it to run properly here in my garage. I looked at the specs and the tanny is a monster at 750 pounds and 86 inches tall by over 3 feet wide. Dont know that I need that big of a bandsaw but everyone keeps telling me to always by the biggest bandsaw you can afford.......

[David Kumm]

Jack, the Tanny guy is recommending the converter rather than the vfd due to the need to bypass the electrics on the saw. There are probably microswitches on the doors and footbrake that would need to be wired into the vfd rather than the existing motor starter. From your earlier posts I had assumed that was beyond what you felt comfortable doing and why I estimated 400-500 to use the vfd. $200 for vfd and rest to get it to work. Tanny might sell that saw for 6100 but equivalent units are available for less. Actually that is NOT a monster saw at 750 lbs. That is standard for a 14-15" resaw 24" The beefier ones go over 1000 lbs and the cast iron ones over 1500. In general Italian saws are better than Asian saws but the italians make two versions. The lighter ones are generally the 400,500,600mm ones and the heavier ones are the 440,540,640mm versions. Not always the case but often true. Older Italian motors also have a reputation for running hot. Chinese motors have a reputation for not running at all. Motors can be replaced. If the structure of the saw frame is good and the wheels are heavy cast iron and balanced, all will be well. Keep reading and learning. Dave

[Jack Gaskins]

All I really want is the most saw for my money. I am a weekend user so I probably dont need a very large saw like the tanny but at the price it seems hard to beat unless I go with a Rikon 20" which goes for $2K and is single phase. I was just offered a Bridgewood PBS540 for $2K but I dont know anything about the Bridgewoods but from what I read they were made by ACM in italy and were considered to be equal in quality to the large Lagunas and MMs. ?? It is harder than I thought to choose a bandsaw. Im not big into resawing BUT it would be nice to slab small logs for my woodturning blanks.

[David Kumm]

The bridgewoods were made by ACM who also made Laguna saws in the early 2000s. The 540 is a nice sized saw and the heavier ACM model. Bridgewood specd a strong frame so I would consider it a real contender. Dave would take before the Rikon 20.

[Jim Matthews]

The Laguna 16" is an excellent saw.
Do you intend to move it, yourself?

If you intend to pay a mover, you're better off buying new. The pros get a better rate, and will drop it where you want it.

I purchased a second hand Minimax 20 and the freight costs consumed ALL of my savings off retail.

[John Shuk]

I think that is pretty much what the original purchaser paid. The newer ones have baldor motors and different specs.

[Jim Foster]

Prices from 2001.




LT16 1.5hp. (on special for $1,095.00, CALL NOW)
$1345.00


LT16SEC 2½hp 12" resaw, footbrake, R&P.
$1,595.00


LT16 HD 3hp 12" resaw, footbrake, R&P.
$1,895.00


LT18 3hp 12" resaw, footbrake, R&P.
$2,095.00


LT18 SE 5hp 16" resaw, footbrake, R&P (1 or 3-phase).
$2,695.00


LT20 5hp 12" resaw (1 or 3-phase).
$2,495.00


LT24 5hp, 15¼" resaw (1 or 3-phase).
$2,995.00


LT28 7½hp, 18" resaw (3-phase).
$3,995.00


LT32 10hp, 20" resaw (3-phase)
$4,995.00


LT37 15hp, 24" resaw (3-phase).
$6,995.00


Resaw Master. 5hp, 15¾" resaw, FB, R&P
$3,295.00

[Jack Gaskins]

Looking at the photos it sits out in his large shed and the table has a lot of surface rust but shinny where you would resaw at. IMO the saw is only worth about $1k.