Hi all, new member but longtime browser of the forum. I'm close to pulling the trigger on a new bandsaw. It will be the only BS in the shop so versatility and ease to swap blades is a consideration.
My needs will include resawing rough cut lumber and I can live with 12" to 13" max but I'll also use the saw for smaller figured cuts.
I considered the Rikon 325 but then 'talked myself' into spending a little more for the Grizzly GO513X2. And, then along came the Laguna 1412. Now I'm back to consider a 14". Maybe some of you can personally relate to this process, but I'm starting to run circles. This seems to happen to me on 'big' purchases but I'm usually happy in the end.
Any comments or thoughts are welcomed but specifically I'd like some opinions on the difference in wheel sizes and also max blade sizes between the Laguna 1412 and the larger Grizzly17". The actual difference (diameter) between the cast iron wheels is 1.75" if I recall correctly. The Laguna will take a 3/4" blade and the Grizzly a 1" blade. Past forum posts have left me with the impression that BSs' won't always track their max rated bands correctly , so not sure what to make with max blade ratings.
I don't have hands on experience with either of these BS, and since the Laguna is a new model I'm guessing not many will. But knowing the difference in sizes between these two models (specifically the wheels and max blade sizes) would I be foolish not to go with the 'larger' Grizzly for resaw purposes? The reviews on the Laguna report the saw does a very fine job with resawing, but I'm left wondering if the two were compared side by side, would one stand above the other for this function?
I understand the Laguna 'fit and finish' may be in a class of its own (among the saws I could afford). That has some appeal but I'm trying to be practical in this decision process. Trying to look past this unless it adds functionality to the saw. Trying to visualize both as nothing more than BS silhouettes of saw dust
One last point that I've spent time comparing is the ceramic vs ball bearing guides. I've gathered that most prefer the Laguna guides, especially for detailed figure cuts.
Thanks!!! Love this site and all the info I've gathered from the members over the years. Already glad I registered.
Patrick