Laguna bandsaw vibration leaving me out in the cold
Hi all, I've not posted here in quite some time. I have an issue I'd like to share and see if anyone has useful insight that might help me.
I just bought a new Laguna 18BX bandsaw. Problem is that from the first time turning it on it has this strong vibration that is felt on the table and more strongly in the upper assembly. Now first thought is the upper wheel is out of balance. Easy. I called Laguna support and they sent me a new wheel, no change, still vibrates like crazy. They've sent me a new upper wheel, new tires, even a new blade and none of it has changed the vibration. The last time I talked to the support guy he tells me that bandsaws just have vibrations and that's all there is to it.
I told him I was going to buy some aftermarket tires. I bought a set of Carter tires and put them on with no difference. I downloaded an vibration analysis app on my phone and used that to try to quantify the vibration so I could have some hard data to tell me when a difference is made. So far the only thing that has made it any better is de-tensioning the blade. I have it so loose that I'm almost afraid of running it. I know this isn't right. The other thing that made it a little better was taking off the huge 1 1/4" Resew King blade and put on a 3/8" blade. I have this tensioned properly and it runs a bit better with vibration but I still don't like it, I can still feel it shake on the top.
I have another call in to Laguna support three days ago and another call yesterday and all I get is a voicemail. I'm feeling left out in the cold by Laguna. A large bandsaw should not run this way, it will eventually shake itself apart.
If anyone has any helpful words, I'd really like to hear it. Thanks so much.
Wayne