bandsaws.... Laguna SUV or used MM16?

[ted andersen]

Hobbyist in the bandsaw market. Now that the SUV has been out for a few years, what are the long term impressions?

For the same price (+ an 8 hour drive each way) I could get a late model used MM16.


Any thoughts? Most of the info I find on the web seems to be several years old. The Laguna rep offered me nothing as an incentive to buy a new saw, and I can't say I really liked talking to him. Instead of promoting his lines, he spent about 30 minutes of my life talking trash about MM.

If I did get a Laguna I would be getting it through my local Woodcraft, which I do like a lot.


Don't think I am going the new MM16 route, but the MM rep did offer some money off and some free blades.



When comparing the MM16 and the LT16HD, I find it interesting that the Laguna went up $1000 in the last couple years, while the MM16 went up about $300.



Any advice?

[guy knight]

i have a mm20 and a laguna suv 14" both great saws but the mm20 is nicer built like a tank the laguna is a great saw also but if i had to choose one it would be the mm20

[Jim Andrew]

I can only endorse the MM16, as I have one, and it is an amazing saw, but no experience with the Laguna.

[Ira Matheny]

I am very, very happy/satisfied with my Laguna HD 16. I've had it for about 5 years.

[Glenn Kramer]

I have an MM16 now, sold an LT16 to buy the MM. I am much happier with the MM. Ditto to the above...the MM is a tank, very solid and smooth.

[ted andersen]

Thanks all for the input folks. I think I will try to pick up the used MM16, it is a 2007 model.

I looked at the Laguna HD 16, as it appears to be very comparable to the MM16, and some older threads made it seem they cost the same ($2500 in 2011). However, while a new MM16 would currently run about $3k delivered, the HD16 will be more like $4k.

[ted andersen]

just a follow up, I decided to get the used MM16. Actually it is a 2007 model that never had a blade installed or power put to it. A long drive but I am happy with the decision.

anyone with blade advice, please PM or reply. First order of business is a resaw blade. Good sources?

[David Hawxhurst]

i use morse carbide 3T for resawing 6+" (3/4" blade would be fine), for up 6" i use a 1/2" blade 3/4T.

there are lots of threads talking about bandsaw blades here.

[Rick Fisher]

I like Carbide blades for resawing.. They just keep going and going ... Right now I have a Woodmaster CT .. Replaced a Tri-Master .. Tri-Master lasted years.

[Alan Lightstone]

Good luck with it, Ted. I have the 14SUV, and although I like it generally (attachment of the Driftmaster fence is awful, but I think the newer design fixed that), I have been lusting after an MM16 or MM20 for the past few years.

Enjoy your new saw.

[Jim Matthews]

Take the one that offers delivery.

What's your time worth?

[Julie Moriarty]

anyone with blade advice, please PM or reply. First order of business is a resaw blade. Good sources?

Give Lenox a call. They actually answer the phone and are very helpful.

[Bruce Page]

Congrats! I run a 1" Lenox tri-master carbide for re-sawing on my MM16. No experience with other brands for re-sawing but very happy with the Lennox.

[Frederick Rowe]

I'll echo high marks for my MM16. For resawing I use the Lennox Tri-Master 1". For blades smaller than 1/4" check out "Sammy Blocks" idea from MM's Sam Blasco.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...8-Sammy-blocks

[jerry cousins]

after several years with a lennox blade i tried the laguna resaw king (1") and found it superior - seems to last longer and easier sawing. laguna customer service on blades has been xceptional.
used on a mm16.
jerry