Hello All,
New here.
I have a General 490 bandsaw with a 6" resaw height. I'm a hobby woodworker with some experience. I make native american flutes, knife handles and have done a couple slab tables recently. I reclaim downed trees that have interesting grain and resaw smaller pieces on my bandsaw, but 6 inch height is not enough. I have some beautiful spalted maple I want to use for the base of a burl slab table I am doing but I need a deeper resaw ability.
I have my eye on 2 different bandsaws that I think will fit my needs...but I am having a hard time deciding.
I can pick up a brand new Rikon 10-324 (14" bandsaw) for $850 USD ( converted it from canadian $ for you guys) or a very well kept 2002 (italian made) Laguna LT16 for $1170. The Laguna comes with 4 brand new blades. Doesn't have the ceramic guides.
Both have similar resaw heights around 12" and 1.5 hp motors. Rikon is 110v Laguna is 220v.
Advantage of the Rikon is I get brand new, 5 yr warranty. Nice machine that will do what I need. Very good customer support. Also $300 cheaper.
Advantage of the Laguna is Italian built, bigger wheels (16" vs14"), can handle wider blades than the rikon, comes with 4 brand new blades (biggest is a 1" 3 tpi blade), 220hp motor bigger throat.
Anything I am missing here? Does either machine jump out as better? Suggestions?
Thanks
Randy