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Hey all, I have a 3hp 19" bandsaw that I use for everything but as I get more into processing my own materials I'd like to keep this saw set up strictly for resaw. With that said I'm now looking for something smaller for general purpose/scroll cuts. My dream saw would be an old Inca table top bandsaw but considering the rarity and expensive of those machines I think I'll have to go for something a bit different.

I'm leaning towards the Laguna 14/12 but am open to other makes or smaller sized saws if anyone has any recommendations. I'd prefer a smaller, bench top saw to be honest but the only worthwhile saw I've seen is the Rikon 10" and I'm not sure how great that one is.

The Incas were a pretty cool saw for a 3 wheeler. Finding thin enough blades to minimze breakage (.018" or so?) is tough enough. The 14/12 or Rikon 10" would be welcome in my shop if the wife ever gave her approval.

I've got a two-wheel 11" Inca and it's great. They come up occasionally for around $400.

Pat

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Pat

I've been wanting that Rikon 10". Busted my Delta 10" in the shop move.

You can sometimes find the 12 craftsman saws for $50. They are pretty lightweight, aren't hard to find blades for, and being a 2 wheel bandsaw usually track well. As a "second saw " they are O.K. You can make them a benchtop saw by mounting the motor beside them, but putting them on castors might be a better option. Not much cachet in owning one but they do work O.K. for they majority of stuff we do.

My first bandsaw was a 12" Craftsman. It actually did fine--I had mine mounted as a benchtop saw. The older ones with the cast metal cover held on by chrome knobs is actually a pretty nice saw.

Dave

The newer old ones with the plastic covers aren't as nice but they weigh very little. Weight is generally a good thing for machinery, but if you just want something to do the little odd jobs and are moving it a lot, weight might not be a plus. I kept a metal cutting blade on the one I have. Now it is on wheels for when I want to work outdoors.
But I agree with you Dave, the older heavier machines were pretty nice. The plastic covered one work O.K. too, but suffer from a big box store image.

My first was an older Craftsman 10" 3 wheeler. It did some things but it really was junk. I'm sure the 2 wheel 12" was a lot better.

I've got one of the oldest craftsman series they made in 1949. I think it's a 10". Put new tires on it recently and runs great. It only has about 4" clearance off the table.
But Brian was asking about what to get today and if he likes the Laguna, go for it!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I haven't had such great luck with Craftsman power tools in the past and would like to avoid them if possible. While cost is a concern I'm starting out on my journey as a full time professional maker so I'm not too worried spending some cash to purchase a saw that will last me the rest of my career (I'm 24 now so hopefully that will be many decades). I think I've decided on the Laguna, it might be a bit more saw than I really need but it's light enough to move around the shop and even move to a different shop which I plan to do within the next year (the big bandsaw is my father's, he's a hobbyist and doesn't use it much)

I've had a Laguna 16" for 15 years and I don't have many complaints. Not a real heavy user, though. My friend with a 14" Delta thinks it's really great.

If you’re going for a saw with that footprint, may as well step up to the 14SUV.

I love mine. The guides are a bit fussy, but the 3hp motor paired with the RK blade make resawing a breeze. The RK blades are expensive but I’ve had the same blade on for years.

It’s taken over almost all of my straight cut operations. I used to use my main room tablesaw a lot, now
I only use it with a dado for truss rod slots and x brace laps.

I have a 10" Craftsman (rebranded Rikon) saw and that Grizzly looks to be an order of magnitude nicer, lots nicer. I'd have bought that in a heartbeat if it was available when I bought mine.

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Peter Havriluk

If you truly have a rebranded Rikon, then it is a a great machine. One big difference between 10" Rikon and Grizzly 9" is the Rikon table is cast iron (not aluminum). Then there is the Grizzly blower and laser guide. I think also that the Rikon is 2 speed. The blower might be useful, not sure what a laser guide is good for.

Yet, the Grizzly is less costly. Anybody here own it and like it?

Grizzly has that geared table tilt, and that very substantial rip fence, both superior to what my Craftsman saw has.

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Peter Havriluk

I have a two wheeled Inca that I bought around 27 years ago. It still gets used every day, and is the last tool I will ever sell.

I have been using the rebranded 10" Craftsman for over 10 years now.
I am still amazed how useful and effective this tool is.
It cuts through 8/4 mahogany and 4/4 maple without issue, using a Viking 1/4" blade.
Once I figured out the correct tension, blade breaks are rare.
I did replace all the guide bearings with heavy duty ones - piece of cake, as it uses standard skateboard bearing size.

if you can stay with a 14 that would be best but you know what room you have. Lagun are good one I have one with a riser. My son uses it I have 2 19 inchers one for resaw and one for general bandsaw work. I get my blades at GM band saw blades. I use the 6 tpi the most for ply and veneer woods

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John Hall
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