The Laguna Tools LT16
Band Saw Review
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Easy tilt!
The table adjustment is easily accessed and very easy to
adjust. It can be tilted a full 45 degrees to the right with just a twist
of two knobs, yet when tightened, the table is solid and secure. A handy,
adjustable pointer guides you to the angle you want which is stamped into
the bracket in increments of 2 ½ degrees. I've seen so many saws with
adjustable tables that I just didn't dare move from 0 degrees for fear of
never getting it back or to the angle I wanted because of poor or awkward
adjustment mechanisms. This well crafted design takes that fear away and
makes it a breeze.
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Two dust collection
ports.
The saw features two well placed dust ports that can be
connected to your dust collection system, or a shop vac with a few
adapters. But the inside of the lower section of the saw is so large that
you really don't need to use dust collection at all if you choose not to;
just clean it out once and a while with the shop vac and you're
set. |
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Solid cast iron wheels!
The saw has two heavy-duty, solid cast iron wheels with
rubber 'tires' for the blade to ride on. The two wheels on my saw are so
well balanced you can't see any variations in their circumference while
they are spinning, nor is there any associated vibration. Blade tension is
easily adjusted with the knob at the top, which raises and lowers the
wheel. The motor can be adjusted on some pivot slots to obtain
proper belt tension on the lower wheel. I would imagine the lower wheel
would have to be removed to replace the belt, but it doesn't appear to be
a difficult task, and I doubt there will be much wear on the belt anyway.
The lower wheel also has a nice little brush to sweep away particulate
build-up. It probably wouldn't hurt to perform a visual inspection of the
wheels before and after each use, and wipe down the rubber surface on each
wheel after use. A simple, yet elegantly designed knob allows for easy
opening of the upper and lower doors. |
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Tension Gauge.
Not sure when you have the blade at the correct tension?
This gauge might be helpful in protecting your blades and especially the
saw if only there were some instruction in the manual for its use. Sadly,
there is no information provided on the gauge or its markings, so the
numbers really don't mean much. Pounds per square inch? Kilo grams per
square inch? And how many of which unit of measurement is right for
what size blade?
Having used bandsaws for years I have a good idea of what
the tension should feel like. When applying firm pressure to the side of
the blade on the opposite side from the blade guides (open the top cover
to access the long unsupported length of the blade on the left) you want
no more than 1/8" or 1/4" side to side movement. Make a note of the
tension gauge setting for each blade after checking the tension with this
rule of thumb. After that you can rely on the gauge whenever you change
blades. Don't forget to release the blade tension when the saw is
not in use!
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Extra heavy-duty
door hinges.
Like the knobs for the doors, the hinges are of the finest
quality. They appear to be made of a tough PVC or perhaps ABS plastic and
easily support the weight of the heavy and solid steel doors. There are
two hinges per door.
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