coming out of the Laguna closet
This is my major gloat for this year. I got my Laguna LT-18 yesterday. I have noticed on the creek that most of you prefer the MMs, so I feel like I'm coming out of the closet by telling you this. I went to the Charlotte, NC WW show this spring to, just to see both saws, and bought the Laguna.
Do you know what sold me on the Laguna? Larry Drum, the Laguna rep. at the show. If the people are the company, then this is the type of company I want to deal with. The MM reps were nice but Larry was just so easy to talk with and I can assure you I talked to him a lot. He must have answered a thousand questions and walked me through the saw as if I'd already bought the saw and he was at my house doing a setup.
I've gotten my LT-18 and so far I LOVE it. It arrived in great shape. I must tell this on myself though, after reading on forums about a poor manual, I wasn't surprised with the manual that was with the saw. I'd say it was a useless group of papers written in umpteen languages. I called Laguna to make sure the mobility kit was just back ordered and I mentioned the poor manual needed work. The customer service very politely asked if I had opened the box of blades. I said not yet and he then said the Laguna manual was in with the blades, what I had was the "generic" manual that the mfg included also. He said they are in the process of making "open me first stickers" for the band boxes for that reason. The Laguna manual seems to be above most equipment manuals I've gotten (although mine was photo copied, they did send 2 copies, one to use and the other as a backup). One laugh though, the saw is bolted to a pallet, covered with cardboard and banded. So the proper order is, cut the bands, pull off the cardboard box covering, open the blade box, get out the manual and read that you must be careful in cutting the bands, they are under tension. At least we are legally covered.
After attaching the motor, table, hooking up the power cord, and putting on the blade I made a few trial cuts. I've never had a machine run so smooth and never seen such good cuts on a bandsaw. I'm sure the MM may be just as good a saw, I can't see how it could be that much better.
I'm looking forward to many years of service and making huge piles of sawdust with my Laguna.
I posted a few months back for comments on both saws and got many good replies. I especially want to thank, on the forum, John Miliunas for his input and e-mails. He is what Saw Mill Creek is about, woodworkers helping each other out, no name calling, no put downs, but just honest to the heart answers to real questions. Thanks again to all my fellow "CREEKERS".
Mark Angle
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