Workers Of Wood

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!

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:37 am 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.

DaninVan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:40 am Yes.

What is the justification?

YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:37 am 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...

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:37 am 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...

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:37 am Should I bother with the trade?

no...

DaninVan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:40 am I’m thinking the “upgrade” would be more trouble than it’s worth,

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

Stick486 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 11:25 am YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

Apparently, yes.

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.

Cherryville Chuck wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 12:34 pm <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.

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 1:07 pm 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 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:40 am

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:37 am 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.

Sominus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 11:39 am

Stick486 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 18, 2023 11:25 am YOU OUT OF YUR MIND???...

Apparently, yes.

See what'd I tellya?! lol

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

An oldie, but seems appropriate somehow...