Quandaries: To trade or not to trade? That is the question.

[Sominus]

Hey all...

So there is a guy who wants to trade his bandsaw because it is too big for him to manage in his shop anymore. It’s a Powermatic 24” 3hp. https://www.mmtoolparts.com/powermatic- ... M8nsUEJ3qA

I have a 5hp Laguna LT18SE … https://www.finewoodworking.com/2004/06 ... 8se-review

The Laguna is likely more saw than I will ever need, but I question whether I should trade just because I can. I’m trading 5hp for 3hp, but the larger capacity is a plus.

I could put the PM saw on a mobile base, but would it still be too heavy to manage?

Should I bother with the trade? I’m thinking the “upgrade” would be more trouble than it’s worth, but I am seeking input…

Thanx for looking!

[DaninVan]

Hey all...

So there is a guy who wants to trade his bandsaw because it is too big for him to manage in his shop anymore. It’s a Powermatic 24” 3hp. https://www.mmtoolparts.com/powermatic- ... M8nsUEJ3qA

I have a 5hp Laguna LT18SE … https://www.finewoodworking.com/2004/06 ... 8se-review

The Laguna is likely more saw than I will ever need, but I question whether I should trade just because I can. I’m trading 5hp for 3hp, but the larger capacity is a plus.

I could put the PM saw on a mobile base, but would it still be too heavy to manage?

Should I bother with the trade? I’m thinking the “upgrade” would be more trouble than it’s worth, but I am seeking input…

Thanx for looking!

Yes.

[Sominus]

Yes.

What is the justification?

[Stick486]

YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

The Laguna is likely more saw than I will ever need, but I question whether I should trade just because I can. I’m trading 5hp for 3hp, but the larger capacity is a plus.

come resaw time you'll more than likely regret it...

I could put the PM saw on a mobile base, but would it still be too heavy to manage?

no... not w/ the right base... how far you going to move it??? 5 feet...

Should I bother with the trade?

no...

I’m thinking the “upgrade” would be more trouble than it’s worth,

yes... and it's not an upgrade...

[Sominus]

YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

Apparently, yes.

[Cherryville Chuck]

I have no personal experience with Powermatic tools as they seem not to be popular around here but they have a stellar reputation for quality and durability. However, so does Laguna. I went to a woodworking show some years ago and there was an LT 16 there and they had it running. I walked up and touched the saw and if I hadn't seen the band turning I wouldn't have been able to tell if it was turned on. It was that well balanced.

I have a decent Taiwanese 18" and it is extremely top heavy. I wouldn't put mine on a mobile base unless it had a wide stance which could make it difficult to work around. It would also put the table up about 4 more inches which even at my height (6' 2") would be getting close to uncomfortably high.

I think mine is a 2 horse and more power would be better. One more hp would be nice, 3 more like yours would be sublime. I rarely use mine with narrow blades. I go borrow my SIL's 9.5 or 10" Ryobi instead. I've had my saw since sometime in the early 90s I think and have yet to need anything larger. I have split some birch 2 x 10s in the past when I needed wide thin boards and more power would have been helpful but I didn't need larger capacity.

[Sominus]

<snip> I went to a woodworking show some years ago and there was an LT 16 there and they had it running. I walked up and touched the saw and if I hadn't seen the band turning I wouldn't have been able to tell if it was turned on. It was that well balanced.

I have a decent Taiwanese 18" and it is extremely top heavy. I wouldn't put mine on a mobile base unless it had a wide stance which could make it difficult to work around. It would also put the table up about 4 more inches which even at my height (6' 2") would be getting close to uncomfortably high.

<snip>

The Laguna LT18 I have is balanced much the same way. And to add to things -- mobility is actually built into the saw itself, so no added height or instability is added with a mobile base. It does not feel top-heavy to move it around. The Laguna is a beast with a 5hp motor -- I'm perfectly happy keeping it as I have not ever even come close to using its capacity.

[Stick486]

I'm perfectly happy keeping it as I have not ever even come close to using its capacity.

so go sit down and leave well enough alone....

[DaninVan]

Hey all...

So there is a guy who wants to trade his bandsaw because it is too big for him to manage in his shop anymore. It’s a Powermatic 24” 3hp. https://www.mmtoolparts.com/powermatic- ... M8nsUEJ3qA

I have a 5hp Laguna LT18SE … https://www.finewoodworking.com/2004/06 ... 8se-review

The Laguna is likely more saw than I will ever need, but I question whether I should trade just because I can. I’m trading 5hp for 3hp, but the larger capacity is a plus.

I could put the PM saw on a mobile base, but would it still be too heavy to manage?

Should I bother with the trade? I’m thinking the “upgrade” would be more trouble than it’s worth, but I am seeking input…

Thanx for looking!

Yes.

heh...my answer was ambiguous at best. You asked for input; you didn't specify that it needed to be helpful.

[DaninVan]

YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

Apparently, yes.

See what'd I tellya?! lol

[HandyDan]

Trading would require time and and work and may end up hurting you wrestling the weight. Since there is nothing to gain. Why bother.

[DaninVan]

An oldie, but seems appropriate somehow...