Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Laguna lathe
Keith Tompkins
>While at the Totally Turning symposium, I checked out the new Laguna Lathe....the thing is a monster. It's made in Bulgaria, I recall. It has massive castings, about a 30" swing, a very long bed (I don't recall the length). The spindle, although huge, is driven by a single v-belt. I think a multi-rib belt would be better. The show price was over 6K! Their bandsaws also appear to be well made...Nicely made equipment. Any experience with either?
Re: Laguna lathe
Mike Foster
>I have the Laguna 18SE bandsaw. It is a wonderful machine. I recently used it to resaw some 12" wide curly maple. It peeled off 1/8" veneer without a blink. I also looked at the lathe, but haven't had any experience with it.
Re: Laguna lathe
Mac
>Hi Keith, I saw the lathe there also,looked to me like it could you a bit of refining before it hits the big time.Sure has the mass to handle big turnings.Will be interesting to see if it stays on the market. The symposium was well done.Dinner cruise was great too.Looking forward to another next year. I prefer the smaller ones such as SSS and Totally Turning to the big AAW ones,what are your thoughts on small v/s big symposiums?
Re: Laguna lathe
MP Wall
>I have a Laguna 16lt bandsaw. Nice saw for the money, but if I were into flat work I would have gone for the heavier version. The lt works great for me as a turner with a pm3520, but if I were into veneer or flat work I would want more hp. They do have great sales and service (at least so far for me) and have other neat machinery as well.
MP Wall
Re: Laguna lathe
Keith Tompkins
>HI Mac, I think the symposium went well also....did we get a chance to meet? I saw a lot of new faces, it's hard to remember them all...I did get to meet Russ Fairfield, and several WOW and WC members.
The TT symposium is in my backyard, so I know most of the turners.....a great bunch of guys! The feeling of intimacy created at the smaller symposiums just cannot be beat.
However...the exposure you can receive at a major symposium is also great, AND you get to see how your work stacks up against the "big boys". I have demo'ed at both big and small symposiums; you can FEEL the electricity in the air at the big ones, and the knot in your stomach before a big demo is hard to describe...it has to be felt!
I'll look you up next time!
Re: Laguna lathe
Keith Tompkins
>HI Mike, I enjoyed your pieces at Totally Turning....super!
It was amusing watching the turner demonstrate on the Laguna lathe.....teeny pieces on such a monster machine!
Re: Laguna lathe
JanManuel
>I have the Laguna 18" bandsaw, got it 2 yrs ago and it's great. I do lots of resawing, and do most of my rough ripping on it. Lots safer to rip boards on the bandsaw.
I am also a tad extra pleased with that saw, because it was a Laguna 16HD that I ordered, and was the 18" that arrived in TN......THAT was a major gloat when it happened.
Re: Laguna lathe
Mike Brazeau
>That Laguna lathe was purchased at the Toronto Woodshow this weekend by a turner from Peterborough, ON(look NW across Lake Ontario from Rochester and about 30 miles north of the lake). He was tickled pink with the price that according to him was going to be significantly less than a Oneway 2436. Hopefully we will hear some reports of how it works out in a workshop, rather than just on the showroom floor. Was told that it was the same one that had been on tour in the states at the AAW etc.
