Laguna LT16 bandsaw or Grizzly GO55 ?

[Dee Dee Martin]

Laguna is 16", 3hp, 12" resaw.
Grizzly is 21", 3hp, 14" resaw.

Will be used almost exclusivly for cutting green bowl blanks. About 200 per week.

Both will end up costing about the same, after delivery.

What do ya'll think?

[John Renzetti]

Hi DeeDee, I like the Laguna LT16HD with the Baldor motor. I don't think you'll miss that two less inches of resaw.
take care,
John

[Jim DeLaney]

Deedee,
I don't have any experience with the Grizzley machine, but I've had the Laguna LT16 )with the Baldor motor) for about a year and a half now, and really like it. It's a rock solid, very well built machine. When I bought mine the Baldor motor was an option, but I believe it's 'standard' now.

[John Miliunas]

Hey folks, I may be mistaken, but if you're referring to the LT16 HD, I believe it now has a larger Baldor motor, as well as a 16" resaw capacity!:) If you're looking at the LT, then your specs are correct. However, if that is indeed the case, I think I would still go with the Laguna, with the reasoning being that the Baldor motor is of known high quality. (You probably want to check w/Laguna to be sure that it does indeed ship with a Baldor. I know the HD model does.) I agree with John R., in that you wouldn't miss that little in capacity, especially for something like turning blanks. Just MHO....:) :cool:

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Dee Dee, between those two saws, the Laguna wins hands down! They are a machine of a higher class than the grizzly. I am sure that you would be much happier with the Laguna than with the Grizzly.

[Jim Becker]

What about the Mini Max S16 if you are considering the low-end Laguna?

[Sam Blasco]

That's 40 a day! Wet Wood! Honestly, I don't think either of those machines will handle that kind of abuse, especially if you are pushing the resaw height limit. If this is a business, and it sounds like it might be, you should probably consider something much larger with a three phase motor, say 28" or larger, 6-8 HP. The larger flywheels here would be the key, with all that extra inertia. Even the Laguna HD Series, the Tannewitz Power Series or the MMs would be pushed, until you get into their respective 3 phase, larger flywheel machines. And, no matter what you do, have a good supply of blades and keep them coming

[John Shuk]

I think you would be fine with the LT16HD. For the kind of production you are looking at I would go for the Baldor.

[Gary Max]

I agree with Sam---that is some very serious cutting and you will need a BIGGER saw

[Richard Wolf]

I'm a MM fan with Languna being a good second choice, BUT, 16" bandsaws are not recomended for carbide blades,(to tight a dia.) so now we need to determine if you have a need for carbide blades or not. I think you should consider the MM 20.

Richard

[lou sansone]

I'm a MM fan with Languna being a good second choice, BUT, 16" bandsaws are not recomended for carbide blades,(to tight a dia.) so now we need to determine if you have a need for carbide blades or not. I think you should consider the MM 20.

Richard

looks like someone is building a tall case clock - ( in the back left side of the picture )


lou

[Richard Wolf]

looks like someone is building a tall case clock - ( in the back left side of the picture )


lou

Good catch, lou.

Richard

[Dee Dee Martin]

What about the Mini Max S16 if you are considering the low-end Laguna?

The S16 is $1,700 vs the Laguna at $1,400.
The S16 has 2.5hp vs the Laguna at 3hp.

[Dee Dee Martin]

That's 40 a day! Wet Wood! Honestly, I don't think either of those machines will handle that kind of abuse, especially if you are pushing the resaw height limit. If this is a business, and it sounds like it might be, you should probably consider something much larger with a three phase motor, say 28" or larger, 6-8 HP. The larger flywheels here would be the key, with all that extra inertia. Even the Laguna HD Series, the Tannewitz Power Series or the MMs would be pushed, until you get into their respective 3 phase, larger flywheel machines. And, no matter what you do, have a good supply of blades and keep them coming

Sorry Sam, I don't agree. I've been doing it currently with a MM24 with 5hp, and it handles it like butter. More than enuf power. And the Lenox blades go forever. But, the MM24 needs to move on to other tasks....

[Dee Dee Martin]

I agree with Sam---that is some very serious cutting and you will need a BIGGER saw

I don't agree with Sam, in that 3 phase isn't needed. However, I do worry that these two saws I propose, may be too small, as you suggest. I've been thinking about this over and over the last 3 days, so now I'm kinda leaning towards the Grizzly G3619, for $2,500. Comes in at 5hp. Appears to be one monster of a saw.

I'll go compare it to what Minimax and Laguna offer in that price range, and see how things look.

[Dee Dee Martin]

I'm a MM fan with Languna being a good second choice, BUT, 16" bandsaws are not recomended for carbide blades,(to tight a dia.) so now we need to determine if you have a need for carbide blades or not. I think you should consider the MM 20.

You may be right, Richard. Comparing the MM20 to the Grizzly 24"....

Wheel diam: MM=20, Grizzly 24
HP: MM 4.8, Grizzly 5
Resaw: MM 15.75, Grizzly 16
Biggest blade: MM 1.5", Grizzly 2" (1/2" being the smallest, which is fine)
Table size: MM 19.75x27.5, Grizzly 23.75 x 31.5
Weight: MM 750#, Grizzly 900#
Cost: MM $3,100, Grizzly $2,425.
My interpretation of these specs is:

The 24" wheels of the Grizzly are better if I decide to run a Trimaster carbide down the road to do any resawing.
Motor size is a wash.
Resaw is a wash.
Blade size is a wash for my needs.
Table size is an issue, since a big table is really nice when humping those big 'ol chunks up fromt he ground.
Grizzly comes in 200# heavier, which everyone tells me means it a much beafier saw.
Grizzly is MUCH more affordable, tho I can afford either.

Minimax comes with world class support and service, that I think is 2nd to none, and I know their quality of machinery is outstanding.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Grizzly.....

[Dee Dee Martin]

Now that I've bumped my price range up to about $2500, I just noticed Grizzly's new G0568 24" saw. It's only $75 more than their G3619 24" bandsaw.

Looks like the 3619 is geared more towards resawing, so I think the 568 fits my needs better. The 568 will also handle a 1/4" blade, if I need to generate some smaller bowl blanks. It also has 2 dust ports which is sure nice, and a quick release blade tension arm. At 957 pounds, this thing must be gigantic!

I think I may have found my bowl blank winner.

Anyone know anything about this model?

[Richard Wolf]

Dee Dee, one last plug for the MM. Give them a call, it seems to me that deals are meant to be struck with them. Free blades, free mobility kit, free shipping. Sometimes you have to ask, but they are very friendly people.

Richard