Need info on Laguna LT16/Star

[Steve Mawson]

Any one have any information on a Laguna 16" Bandsaw. Owner says it is a LT16/Star, probably bought around 2002. No owners manual on the Laguna site. Like to have some info before I go look at it.

Thanks,

[Jamie Buxton]

Laguna saws of that time were built by an Italian company named ACM. ACM sells under its own name in Europe and Canada. Star is the ACM name for that saw. At that time, there were two 16" saws -- LT16 and LT16HD in the Laguna nomenclature. You might poke the seller a bit to see which one he has. The HD was said to have a heavier frame and a bigger motor. I have the LT16HD, from 1999 I think. It is a good machine. I'd think the plain LT16 would be a good machine too.

I understand that the LT16 currently offered by Laguna is not ACM-built. I've lost track of whether it is from Bulgaria or the Orient. However, the LT16HD still is from ACM.

[David Kumm]

That is likely the lighter version ACM 400. Look at the Felder and ACM 400 saws if you can find any on the internet. It is not a resaw machine but a good regular or scroll type saw. Just not heavy enough frame for primary resaw. Good upgrade to a 14" for all other stuff though. Dave

[Van Huskey]

If it is a Star it is an ACM built Italian saw. It is not as heavily built as the current LT16HD. It will probably have an Italian motor with just under 2hp, have I think roughly 12" of resaw and the older guides which required more tools to adjust. There were some people people that had vibration issues with the LT16 but I don't think it was the ACM built versions. Check it over, run it, work with the guides and if all seems well it is a pretty good saw. Don't hold me to it but I think those ran about $1,300-$1,400 at the time. Sorry I don't have more info but Laguna went through a lot of different iterations of their saws over the years and I can't keep track of all the changes.

[Van Huskey]

I understand that the LT16 currently offered by Laguna is not ACM-built. I've lost track of whether it is from Bulgaria or the Orient. However, the LT16HD still is from ACM.

Technically they don't offer the LT16 anymore, they have the LT16 3000 which is Asian and the LT16 HD which is ACM/Italian. I think the only Bulgarian saws they still sell are the LT14 SE and SEL.

[Jamie Buxton]

Technically they don't offer the LT16 anymore, they have the LT16 3000 which is Asian and the LT16 HD which is ACM/Italian. I think the only Bulgarian saws they still sell are the LT14 SE and SEL.

Nope. Today's Laguna web site offers a LT16 3000, a LT16, and a LT16HD. (http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaws) Tomorrow, it may be different; Laguna seems to find deals all over the world.

[Van Huskey]

Nope. Today's Laguna web site offers a LT16 3000, a LT16, and a LT16HD. (http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaws) Tomorrow, it may be different; Laguna seems to find deals all over the world.

You are correct!!! Absolute brain fart on my part, the LT16 is (or was) also a Bulgarian saw. The Bulgarian saws are low of features and tend to have iffy QC at times, one guy would get a perfect one then the next one would be full of issues. The Chinese 3000 series seems to actually be better QC wise.

[Carl Knapp]

Hi Steve,
The ACM Star is the ACM band saw with the square back bone. refer to this link http://acmitaly.it/www.acmitaly.it/repository/1/4/827/831/730/ita-740.pdf
It would be an older version of the Laguna HD Classic with a smaller diameter guide post and non geared trunion. It was called the 16HD. It started being sold in 1999. The key to whether or not it is most like the classic is to find out if the guide post is adjustable. The earlier ones had a welded washer inside where the guide post came through a section of the frame. The newer ones have a flat steel plate that can moved to change the angle of the guide post. The older version is still a nice saw, however it is nice to be able to adjust the guide post which makes it worth more. Right around that time the guide post was also increased in diameter to the current size. The original LT16 was made by Meber, http://www.meber.com/ then Stomana http://www.stomana.net/pageseng.aspx?id=1 If it is the 16HD and the price is right it would be a good deal.