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Band/Resaw Recommendations

11/29/17       
SG

I am considering upgrading our bandsaw (a Laguna "resaw-master") for something that will be more truly suited for resawing, and would like to hear any suggestions. We use a bandsaw for a variety of things, but resawing is the most frequent and far and away the most volume. I've found the Laguna simply doesn't stay in adjustment, and is underpowered for resawing wider material. We'll likely keep that machine for use with smaller blades/tasks, so could buy some dedicated to resawing, but I am unsure we really want a huge resaw (a la Stenner, Forester, etc.) sitting in an already tight shop floor. There are machines like Meber, Centauro, Tannewitz, that make larger saws, but I've not had personal experience with any of them. Any opinions would be appreciated.

11/29/17       #2: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
David R Sochar Member

Look at a Wadkin PBR. This is a smaller industrial bandsaw that runs 3" blades, has a feeder designed for resawing and plenty of power. Does not need a pit, and also has a tilt feed table.

We used on to split 6/4 and 8/4 Poplar, up to 7" wide for molder blanks. Often the saw would run for 2-3 days, 8 hrs a day, at about 30f/min. Never had a problem. The blades are sent out for sharpening, we used Menominee Saw for that.

Wadkin PBR Info

11/29/17       #3: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Alan F. Member

We bought the Cantek last year, its fine for our needs but we aren't running it 8hrs a day x 3 days a week.
They also have horizontal machines.

Cantek HB800

11/29/17       #4: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
bc2

I've have run several of the ReSaw blades from Laguna. There are many factors to getting good results with the blade, but that being said...I've only gotten average performance. I've run them on a Laguna 14SE. They do the job, but IMO not worth the price. Tweak you current bandsaw with guides, a good fence (aligned) and stock that is properly prepared and a freshly sharpened blade and you'll be miles ahead of the extra cost of the ReSaw King. Resawing anything of value or importance requires a fresh blade. This goes for the ReSaw King or any other less expensive blade.

11/30/17       #5: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Paul Miller

Website: http://MCCWOODWORKING.COM

I am not familiar with any of the bandsaws mentioned above. I have a Baker and I have had since 2003. I would recommend looking at a Baker. I have never re-sharpened a blade. Baker sells their blades so cheap, it would be a waste of money to re-sharpen them. My Baker can re-saw up to 12" wide and as you know, re-sawing is a money maker. The drive is hydraulic driven, speed is controlled by turning a valve. Most woods can be sliced at about 35 feet a minute, but it is easy to adjust the speed.

11/30/17       #6: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
SG

Thank you for the responses. I am leaning toward a saw like the Wadkin that Mr. Sochar mentions - another English brand, Stenner, makes some dedicated resaws that aren't too huge and are seemingly more available.

I can assure BC2 that it is not blades or set-up - I have owned the saw for nearly 20 years and have upgraded everything on it, run every type of blade, including carbide-tipped, and it comes down to an under-engineered machine that does not hold adjustment, as well as being under-powered.

I've looked at horizontal saws, and am intrigued by the idea, but am hesitant for two reasons. Firstly, the require more floor space, and secondly, I can't imagine they would work well for thin stock, though perhaps Mr. Miller can speak to this. We regularly resaw material to net .062-.100 after sanding, so add a 1/16" to those numbers to get sawn thickness. I would think with the horizontal saw and it's hold-downs thin stock would be problematic.

12/1/17       #7: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Paul Miller

Website: http://MCCWOODWORKING.COM

Baker has a video on YouTube, that will explain the saw better than I can. When I was researching resaws, 2002, a sales rep that I really liked and respected his opinion, was very high on the Stenner. But, I had a friend that sold exotic lumber and I was in his shop and he had a Baker. At that time, I believe I paid about $15,000 for my Baker and I believe the Stenner was well over $20,000.

The post asked for opinions, this is my opinion. I am very happy with my Baker. Also, look at the bandsaw blades. I don't know the exact cost of a blade from Baker today, but they were about $15 each.

Generally, we don't rip anything thinner than 1/4". You control the thickness of the material by raising or lowering the bed. The Baker has paid for itself many times over and after 15 years, other than changing blades, I have never had anything go wrong with it.

12/2/17       #8: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Larry

We have a smaller Baker that has worked very well. Max width is about 8 1/2". The bed tilts for making some molding blanks and for lap siding. 20hp operates both the blade and the hydraulic feed. Blade runs directly on steel wheels and always tracks perfectly. We cut 3/16" and then wide belt to 1/8 for curved jambs, door rails & stile veneer and the like. The cut is very true. Bought 10 years ago for $7K in excellent condition, has not needed any repairs. Blades are cheap.

12/3/17       #9: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
rich c.

Depending on volume, you may want to look at sawmill options. Maybe call Wood-mizer.

12/5/17       #10: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Jerry Cunningham

I have an SCMI 36" saw with a 10HP motor that we use to centerline split our moulder blanks. I just started importing our blanks already milled to a thin thickness, so in a month or two I will probably sell the saw for round $2500.

12/5/17       #11: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Alan F. Member

This item might fit a temp need

http://machinerymax.com/Event/LotDetails/9018647/EXTREMA-RESAW-XB32R

12/6/17       #12: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
AM

Another vote for Baker, it will make you realize that a Laguna is a joke for re-sawing. I can say that because I bought one. I also ran a huge old vertical Fay-Egan which was OK, but the horizontal feed is much easier and controllable. They do take up more floor space however.

12/8/17       #13: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
SG

Thank you all for the recommendations. I will look in Baker resaws more thoroughly. Their accuracy might be sufficient for my purposes, and they certainly a appear to be an efficient tool.

12/8/17       #14: Band/Resaw Recommendations ...
Joe Calhoon

You asked about larger bandsaws for resawing. We have a 36" Aggazani 9 hp with a resaw feeder. It is not a great resaw compared to the Steiner and horizontal saws others are talking about here. As I said it does the job for us. Usually just a few door skins and sometimes 40 to 60 skins for a interior door job. If you were doing this type work every day it would be weak. I run mostly a 1.25 bi metal blade that leaves a pretty coarse cut but we plane the skins anyway.
One thing I would do different if purchasing again would be to buy a feeder like the one Comatic sells that uses a air cylinder for pressure and opens wide so that it could be used to rip wide boards. Ours does not open very wide so its just limited to resawing or sometimes ripping our off-cuts into small moulding blanks.


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