Man I have that same bandsaw! Just got it and I love it. But you are right the fence is a lacking. I’m going to get one of these fences for sure. Didn’t even know it existed.

@WalterMelons

2 жыл бұрын

Two of my favorite channels. I love it.

@marcknight5678

2 жыл бұрын

Make a video about putting on a saw fence and tell everyone how great the manual is…..

This little band saw has turned out to be the best tool purchase I've ever made kzread.infoUgkx5ZrqmYO2uJq_nuU8TopyWxVzn8vqmPUL Once doing the set-up as per the included suggestions, this table top tool has been my go-to saw ever since (8 months as of this review). There are few things I wouldn't attempt with this saw. It takes up much less space than my table saw yet delivers twice as much punch. I've used it to create slices of wood no thicker than an 1/16th of inch by using the POWERTEC BS900RF Rip Fence. For small shop projects this tool can't be beat.

I am quite enjoying "no tool sponsor Marc" - he tells it like it is!

I found it confusing that the Laguna web site appears to be unaware of this product. Combined with the lack of a link to the product here I started to wonder about availability. Woodcraft shows it as Out of Stock. Amazon says "We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

Perfect review! I had the same frustrations that you had with the manual, in so much as I was never really sure I had the thing installed correctly! Another thing I didn't like was when I had to downgrade to a 14" bandsaw, that Laguna fence was almost overkill. Ended up selling it. The only thing I miss is that micro-adjust feature.

Laguna Management: "Put one of those new fangled CD disks in the box" Frank from shipping: "Why not just write a link to an installation video" Laguna Management: "That makes no sense Frank"

@woodwhisperer

2 жыл бұрын

ha!

@saigyl9149

2 жыл бұрын

at least it didn't come with a VHS

@rockbandgamer

2 жыл бұрын

Better yet a QR Code for your phone!

@stevenvachon9745

2 жыл бұрын

Laguna does have several instructional video on KZread for, I'm surprised that they don't have one uploaded for this, or maybe they do.

Thanks for the review. Laguna has horrible manuals. They should really focus on that aspect of their business. Makes me hold off on buying their products.

I was literally just talking about buying an aftermarket fence for my Grizzly band saw a few hours ago and this video pops up. Perfect timing, Marc! I'm definitely considering that fence. Thanks for the video!

My Laguna LT14suv came with the driftmaster fence. I never read any manual. As soon as I figured it out and got used to it, the driftmaster became my favorite part of my purchase. I cut stacks and stacks of 15"+ wide veneer and the only variation in thickness was my own fault. Right after Thanksgiving, I unfortunately lost my bandsaw to a shop fire, but I was able to salvage most of the fence. It's definitely going on my new bandsaw when I get one.

Your review is right on. I installed one many years ago on a 20" Agazanni and had to drill one hole in the cast iron table. The instructions are dismal, as you indicated, but once installed it works great.

Great review Marc and a chance to travel down memory lane. I bought my Driftmaster back in 2012. At that time they were difficult to find but Laguna did have several installation videos on their website. Using those videos was the only way I was able to successfully install the fence. I think the manual had a pictogram of a guy hitting his head against a brick wall.

I have two Laguna bandsaws and for the most part I really like them. My biggest frustration with both of them is exactly what you pointed out in the video. The manuals!! I have actually had difficulty with their support line as well when I needed help replacing part because the manual was not very helpful in identifying what I needed.

Looks like a great fence! I'll need to check this out. I love the interaction with your kiddos at the end.

I have one of the old 16" Italian Laguna's. This fence has been on my list for quite some time.

Love these videos. Nice work Marc.

I made a fence for my Rikon 10-326 from Baltic birch and used a couple mag switch 150s on it. I installed 4 threaded inserts into the face so I can screw down a sacrificial piece to it. It’s basically a Carter mag fence but shop made. Love it! It’s so accurate and easy to adjust, especially when used in combination with the FAST alignment blocks. There was nothing wrong with the Rikon fence, I just prefer the magnet style which saves a lot of space.

Thanks for the video Marc. I literally spent hours uninstalling and reinstalling the Driftmaster on my Laguna Italian LT 18 just last week. I was not able to find a way to mount it that would allow the lower door to be opened and it appears that you have the same issue. Removing the fence extrusion, sliding the DM table over and then tilting the main table up will work, but is a pain on older ACM versions of the LT18.

I won't lie, I really like getting to see Mark get/use/discuss different tool brands/tools. It's just fun to see him explore new stuff.

Great review and product. Too bad that it's discontinued. Thanks Mark, for all your work (sponsored or not), as you've been a teacher for my passion and love of woodworking/carpentry. Seems like a great fence. Hopefully since it's been discontinued, you'll be able to provide a new alternative for a decent fence for a bandsaw in the near future. I still need to figure out which bandsaw, drill press and jointer I want to buy (given my budget since splurging on most of the current Festool products the past year. You're videos have been a big influence on me, in guiding my knowledge for my serious hobby and love of the craft.

@jfobear1953

Жыл бұрын

yes please i would like to know

The fence reminds me very much of the fence on my Laguna table saw which is a fantastic fence and a fantastic saw. The manual also reminds me of the manual for my Laguna table saw which is not so fantastic.

Pretty impressive piece of equipment, Marc! Fantastic! 😃 I don't have a bandsaw yet, but that's definitely something going to my wishlist! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

my Rikon bansaws fence has that same drift adjustment, it's pretty cool. I do like the micro adjustment wheel, that would come in pretty handy, the Rikon fence doesn't have that.

Nice review. I have the 20" version of the Minimax and have been thinking of upgrading the fence, so timely. Great saw.

I really like the micro adjustability this system offers, but the fence that came standard on my Laguna 18bx about a year ago is so much taller which I really like for resawing logs because I totally see the apex on the side of most logs going over that fence in this video vs the one that I have looks to be about 3x taller, and sure I don't have that wheel for micro adjustments but it's got a nice measuring tape on the fence so I have to adjust it by hand but I can still know exactly how far I've moved by fence from the previous position. I absolutely love Laguna, something about their stuff just screams "this was made with pride" and it makes you feel proud to have them in your shop. I love knowing my machines were built by honest hard working people that make a good living and can support their families, and they keep customer satisfaction their number one priority and it shows with how they design their products!

Ahhh yes Laguna. I've worked at a Woodcraft for the past year and I've basically become the senior machine putter togetherer. What I've really noticed is that for the most part Laguna's model is make the same quality product as Jet but charge $50-100 less. I've been happy with Laguna and most of their quality, that has to be the biggest problem with them. The manuals. It's not just this product but every single machine I've assembled. I was putting together one of their JX-6's (quad tech 6" jointer) and the pictures didn't line up with any of the hardware. We ended up waiting a week with it half assembled in the back for mounting bolts we thought didn't come in the box, but sure enough we had them all along and the picture showed a completely different bolt and assembly process. It also showed that the jointer came preassembled in a crate, not in two separate boxes and disassembled. Like I said the quality of the products for the most part are good, Laguna really needs to update their manuals. It doesn't need to be Sawstop levels of holding your hand through the entire process, but just updated pictures and better instructions. As always loved the video!

I bought my Driftmaster fence from a tool swap meet for $50. It was missing the universal brackets. I made a plywood adapter to mount it but it’s not ideal at all. On my 14” Shopfox with riser block, there is a big gap from table to cast iron frame. When I move this fence left, it will get off the table. I left the original rear fence rail on and added a block under Driftmaster to ride on that rail; it works. I don’t like how the fence lock screw pushes and marks the rail. I cut a little brass rod and placed it between locking screw and front rail. I haven’t use it enough but it seems to be very good. I have to take the fence table off to switch blade because it prevents the bottom door from opening.

"Well, hello there" was a great way to start my Friday.

Always fun, getting a manual like that. Makita has the same habit quite often. They often zoom in way too close with their washed out photos. Usually you already know what type of fastener you have to adjust, you just want to know where it is on the machine.

To save money ( a whole lot of money ) - I reworked that same fence that came with my Laguna Re-saw Master. I remounted the steel fence tube to the bandsaw table with a piece of 2" x 3" x 1/4" angle iron - took the fence apart and rotated the cast iron tube mount piece of the fence 90 degrees so the gap faces down - drilled and tapped the tube mount 90 degrees to the gap to add a 1/2-13 locking bolt - with a star knob - facing out away from the bandsaw, of course - mounted/bolted a piece of 4" x 6" x 3/8" wall angle iron with two 1/2-13 bolts to the cast iron tube mount for the actual bandsaw fence. It works great. With the cast iron tube mount's gap facing down and when the locking bolt is tightened it hooks very solidly to the steel fence tube and squares up solidly and accurately. This is how it should have been made originally. It would be nice to be able to post a picture.

@williamsanders6092

2 жыл бұрын

You really used bolts? I prefer screws, screws have heads that are meant to be rotated with a tool in order to secure the connection. Bolts on the other hand have smooth faces and and device manufactured into the botttom of the head to secure it (will not rotate when the nut is used to tighten it) so the threaded end can be used by a nut to pull the under side of the bolts' head to secure it.

@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit

2 жыл бұрын

You can post it on imgur and link it in a comment or edit your original comment. And if that somehow doesn't work (maybe there's a way to block links in comments on the creator dashboard thingy, idk) you can just substitute the actual dots in the link for (dot).

Funny ending! Thanks for sharing

I have a 18” Laguna Italian Bandsaw and I upgraded to a the Kreg fence. Took some figuring out to make it work, but I do like it now that It’s installed and tuned. I’d love to try this fence…but I couldn’t stomach the $400.

@michaelmcglynn968

Жыл бұрын

I have a Laguna 14BX and am considering the kreg fence. Do you mind telling me what you had to do to get it to fit your bandsaw?

@Heinmadegoods

Жыл бұрын

@@michaelmcglynn968 I basically got cylindrical spacers from ace hardware that pushed the fence away from the table. It’s been a over a year now of consistent use and everything is working well with it.

Thank you. Now I'll forever read the brand as Laguña.

Yea, I retrofit one to my Rikon 10-325. It was pretty fussy and I had to tap my own holes. Still, I LOVE my Driftmaster.

Thanks for the video Marc. I’ve been using the DM on my s500p for at least 10 years now (I believe you were good enough to discuss BS options with me at the time which lead me down that path - thanks!). Do yourself a favor and change out that plastic throat plate - makes a big difference when feeding stock as the old one will sag. I did a replacement in some Lexan on the CNC (if you still have one) … or let me know

We have that minimax at work. It is pretty awesome

I purchased the 18BX last year and love the bandsaw but came to the same conclusion about their manual.

I purchased the Laguna 18BX and the Driftmaster fence at the same time. I was amazed that the holes milled in my table (which is not flat, by the way) did not correspond at all with Laguna's Driftmaster. After struggling to try and make it work, and seeing no way to do so, I contacted Laguna Help which advised me that their Driftmaster fence did not fit on their 18BX bandsaw table. They said that they instruct their distributors to not sell the Driftmaster with the 18BX (They forgot to tell me, in my case). I was instructed to return it which I did. So, I would like those who watch your excellent channel to be made aware of this incompatability in order to save them time and frustration. I am sure that Laguna's owners are wonderful; but I was very disappointed that their Driftmaster fence would not fit on their 18" {non-Italian manufactured) bandsaw which still costs approximately $3,000.00. I have been waiting to see if Laguna would market an updated Driftmaster that would fit an 18BX, but so far have not noted any release from Laguna, unfortunately. If Laguna has an updated Driftmsdter, or some kind of s retrofit kit for it to accommodate their 18BX, I would love for them to make that known by response to my present post. Otherwise, Laguna 18BX owners, please be advised, that according to what Laguna told me, their own Driftmaster fence cannot be installed properly on a 18BX. Thank you.

I have an accusquare fence on my bandsaw. Not as fancy as the one shown but it works very well and i have a somewhat easy drift adjustment for it.

Nice Upgrade!

Great job !

Marc, thanks for another great review. The Driftmaster is a superb fence system particularly for resawing as you can adjust to zero drift. We added it to our Laguna 18" Italian and love it. The only downside is we have to tilt the table to open the lower door when changing the blade. I'm not sure if we could have mounted it any differently to get the proper clearance. We actually bought it in "like new" condition from someone who unsuccessfully tried to mount it on a lighter weight open stand bandsaw. That application is NOT recommended as the fence system was way too heavy for it.

@vichubbard3664

2 жыл бұрын

I notched my lower door, so it still completely protects, but I can still remove it for blade changes without that problem. I believe Paul-Marcel St. Onge clued me to that.

@joeerich9229

2 жыл бұрын

@@vichubbard3664 Thanks! I'll look into this. I used to follow Paul before his interests shifted away from woodworking. I must have missed this one. He had some great content particularly on Festool.

I'm reminded of the Wood Talk email from the guy who just bought the Latina bandsaw!

Great review Marc! I have the MM16; may I ask which blade you use on your new SCM bandsaw to get those nice veneer slices? Thanks for the review and for your link to the useful blog on setting up the Driftmaster.!

I’ve got a baby girl on the way and the end of this dang near brought me to tears. Can’t wait to welcome her. Mom and I are overwhelmed with excitement. Love seeing you well, be you! You’re the man ✊🏾

It's always fun, entertaining and informative to see Mark's videos. When I am in the market for a woodworking product, I can rely on Mark for his accurate opinion before I spend my money. Mark's advice has never led me astray. BTW, Mark. Can you do a video on sanding to higher grits? Afterall, there is a reason for 1000, 3000 and 8000 grits etc. I recently sanded a Wenge Tea box to 3000 grit and it looks spectacular. Curious to know your opinion. Thanks Mark, for helping out the woodworking community. You're an asset to your profession.- An unsoliciated reply here.

@woodwhisperer

Жыл бұрын

Sure here ya go ;) kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4uTybSHXbi7gaQ.html

Seems like a common issue for Laguna. After assembling their C|Flux 1.5HP dust collector. I sent them a 3-page summary of the errors in the manual and some design issues. My favorite design issue was the little-bitty nuts that had to be put on the bolts at the bottom of the dust bin to keep the bolts from tearing the bag. They are about 3/32" around, and when you are trying to get them threaded onto the bolts, the side of the bin is jammed into your arm pit. I'm 6', with a good reach. I'd hate to be 5'10" trying to get these buggers on. I don't even think the shorter reach would make it to the bottom. I'm wondering how many people just give up. (And trying to fiddle w/ a 3/32" nut. Even at eye level my paws are too big to handle that!)

Interesting. In my retirement I build stringed instruments and for sides and soundboard I have to slice off roughly 2.5mm wide slices across the face of up to a 6 inch wide piece of stock. My current system is less than ideal and currently I max out at around 4 inches rather than 6 where species of wood matters. Actually there is another attachment that is called Accu-Slice. I don't think it's really a typical fence, but I hear fabulous things regarding its ability to cut perfect thin veneers. My understanding is it too is expensive. By the way, I found your finish, stain, & dye videos from 10 or more years ago simply fabulous and I often go back and refer to them.

Hummmm, interesting piece, and I like the extended fence size...... Last fall I bought a Harvey band saw and one of the reasons I did was due to the extremely strong, square and solid rail and fence set up. One could speculate that they copied the fence rail design on my StopSaw table saw which is rock solid and basically a set and forget treasure. Now it doesn't have the fine adjust but for $200 you can get a dial indicator and magnetic base and when you're done, use it on another tool :)

Nothing more infectious than the little girl giggle! Get's me every time. lol

I just installed the new version of this that they released and posted a small video about it. It appears they made some significant design changes though which is good to see rather than them just re-releasing an old design (not to say its bad at all!) I think the new one is taller as well. Its 7.5" tall

Only Laguna item I have now is their hobbyist thickness planer, but I like their stuff.

Nice review. I was wondering if you had any issues with the doors after installing it. I just got the same bandsaw and had a DM on a previous saw and liked it. Might have second thoughts if it interferes with door access.

I have a Laguna lathe and love it

I found it funny that for it being a Laguna bandsaw and fence you still had to use the wonky setup posts vs them having an option to direct mount just like the stock option.

I hope there's a video on the band saw itself coming. That is unless I missed something somewhere 🤔

Enjoyed the review, but hit the thumbs up for the dad and kids moment at the end!

Young kids are the best 😂. Often I end up being told “I want to hide (random place in the house) so count and then find me!”

Hi there I have watched a lot of your videos. Wood working is my new passion. I work for Schaumburg park district. A large park district in il. We have been building up are work shop. We have a 12 inch new Laguna. I need to figure out how to get the guide plump its a bit off. Anyways thanks for all your videos

After seeing this I would go with the Very Super Cool Tools Option, and build a guide rail similar to a table saw. This seems nice, but not as nice. Any thoughts on using the VSCT system here instead? More effort maybe?

love your review. I just got a vintage bandsaw (told they were the best) and just getting started and well i need a fence and it looks like this one is unavailable at the moment, any others you might recommend for old delta 14" bandsaw

Can't wait to buy a Laguna bandsaw!

I purchased a Laguna 18Bx and the fence came with dual stops and mutliple adjustment points and can be used standing or laid down.

Very nice bandsaw and upgrade! Perhaps you could fine-tune that manual for Laguna and send them a draft? I know you’re very busy man maybe in your spare time. Thanks have a wonderful weekend.

In the video you said that with this fence you did not have to go back and forth to the planer to get good quality cuts. My question is what kind of blade do you use to get that smooth a veneer cut?

Hi Mark I am surprised you were able to purchase a Driftmaster from Laguna. I just bought a Laguna 16" HD ( very similar to your saw ) and had a heck of a time getting a Driftmaster. Laguna said they were discontinued. My Laguna dealer here on Vancouver Island finally located one that was returned to a Laguna warehouse in Texas. I snapped it up. Its missing a part but I can make it work. Same frustration with manual - I fed it to my shredder.

@jeffhildreth9244

2 жыл бұрын

"I fed it to my shredder."{ the fence or the manual. ?

Just an observation but it seems like the fence on the Powermatic behind you would be better suited for re-sawing. The reason I say that is because of the height. The 18 BX Laguna that I purchased has a really tall fence also, but does not have the capabilities this system provides. Looks like a really cool product. By the way please straighten your dust collector filter in the background, it's kind of crooked and really annoying, lol

Manuals can always be a major problem! Thirty years ago I sold tools and some of the manuals on the imported stuff something was lost in the translation so you had to feel your way through the bad pictures to get through the assembly. It sucks having to open the check book to buy stuff!

Pretty nice looking fence! You have to hunt a bit to find it on Laguna's web site to find it. I wonder why they don't include it on their bandsaws with a less "universal" type mounting system? I really like the lead in area below the fence and the micro adjust is just wow. Any issues with repeatability thus far? You feel confident that you could batch out a bunch of veneer with this thing?

@wilsonroadwoodworks

2 жыл бұрын

Can you share the link? I searched and couldn't find it!

You may be able to have good luck if you clamp the actual fence onto your bandsaw table (with or without a few thousandth shims underneath for clearance) and then adjust all the hardware underneath so you know you have a reference to go after and don’t have to worry about stuff wobbling around. Food for thought.

@woodwhisperer

2 жыл бұрын

That actually doesn't work all that well. The aluminum extrusion can flex somewhat under pressure so you don't really know what the deal is until you release the pressure on the fence and it springs into the position it wants to be in. I did try it.

Great review, I wonder if the DVD gave a better explanation of set up.

@woodwhisperer

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately no.

That CRT tv in thr background gives away hoe long ago that minimax video was shot....;)

Got to love the Assassin's Creed T!

Wow that bandsaw is no slouch either, worth the time to set that fence on it

Man that is a BOSS, Yes sir

i watched this video some time ago when it first came out. I have been looking to upgrade my bandsaw and came back across this video. What I didn't realize was how much you paid for that bandsaw and the fact you had to go out and spend to upgrade the fence. Gulp..... Not knocking your choices. This is your profession. But, it amazes me that you have to pay that much for a piece of equipment and then have to go spend more (Time, money, effort to install upgrades) to get it working the way you want it.

Good video. Agree about Laguna's manuals. Great manuals seem to be almost a relic. Wondering if you have an opinion about eliminating bandsaw drift by centering blade on the upper wheel at the deepest point of gullet rather than the center of the blade. This is Alex Snodgrass's opinion (discussed 4:15 minutes into his KZread video "Band Saw Clinic with Alex Snodgrass). Thank you for any response.

very good video thanks for sharing

Catywampus is a technical term I use a lot.

@cyrus5454

2 жыл бұрын

Am engineer, can confirm the technical nature of the word.

Are ya reviewing the new version? (The one with the Laguna logo embeded in the new fence)

That fence looks great. You must have good neighbours.

Looks like a very nice upgrade. Can that fence be ordered WITHOUT the schmutz? I wouldn't need that.

So I want a decorative bandsaw face on the cladding I'm going to install. Do you reckon that if I tweaked one tooth on the blade, it would give me a little more uneven cut, making the bandsaw face more pronounced? Your thoughts please.

Yes, it's a nice fence. Where can my 18bx find one? I thought they wend out of production a few years ago. I don't see them for sale anywhere and there's not even a hint of them on Laguna's site.

thank you

Good job on the review, I have 3 different Laguna machines and all 3 have shitty manuals and honestly not sure if I will ever buy anymore because of it. They should take some lessons from sawstop.

@jeffhildreth9244

2 жыл бұрын

Saw Stop ...ah yes the worlds worst customer service and obscene price fixing ( illegal) policies pushed under the guise of "fair trade" which is non existence in their circumstances.. Note they are now owned by FESTOOL the other company engaging in price fixing. I do have a Saw stop Job Site Pro .. using it while I build a new shop and shift my professional (quality made) machinery back into it. Their saws are grossly overpriced in my opinion ad the quality is average.. and they capitalize and sell fear at a premium.

Would like to get your views on drift and cutting from the right side for logs and thin stock .

Took me a while to remember where I first heard “bob’s your uncle”. It was the Idris Elba hot ones episode.

0:32 😆 Haha the backwards hat pm66 days!

I really thought the crank looked very awkward until after some investigation I realized you have it on the wrong side

still have that saw and it was neglected in the fence alignment. just wondering do you have to give all the Powermatic tools back to the criminals? that used you for all of them years.

Seems a straight metal piece attached to old fence would have been easier and cheaper. (Holes drilled and countersink and Allen screws used to attach of course (oops just saw not available caveat)

Can’t find that fence anywhere on their site or in stock anywhere else?

Very nice..

This could be an opportunity for someone with the right kind of smarts to approach Laguná and offer to upgrade their manuals. It sounds like they might be missing out on potential customers because of this issue. Heck, they might be waiting around for someone to offer to do it.

Great review but it looks like this is no longer sold. Laguna doesn't list it as a product and it isn't in stock anywhere I can find.

Irony upon irony: The imbedded ad (curtesy of youtube) was Lee Valley "No assembly required"

I’m curious what’s on the dvd. Obviously that medium has the potential to make installation and use much more descriptive and therefore helpful with videos. A $20 dvd player attached to your laptop might have been the answer.

@woodwhisperer

2 жыл бұрын

No, it was just a digital version of the same printed manual.

can't hardly find these for sale.

With the frustration in setup, I can see why they discontinued it.

Where is the item currently being sold? I have checked a few links but no luck etc. Either not listed or out of stock.