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laguna 18 36

Well, that’s not encouraging. I just ordered an 1836.
 
There are better options, IMO. As Guy said, Laguna customer service is oft-maligned.

I have the Rikon 70-1824 in 110v. I see it's on sale at Acme for $2999. The tariffs hurt Rikon as they did other manufacturers, but $3k for that lathe is good. Nova, Jet, and Powermatic are good choices. Harvey is, too, but their T40 is 14" and the T60 is 24". I wanted an 18" lathe in the $3k range or I might have gone with Harvey.
 
Well I'm already living the Laguna customer service issue. The lathe hasn't shipped yet, and Rockler can't get anybody over there to tell them when the shipping date will be. And I missed the Jet sale that ended a couple weeks ago.

:(
 
I've been turning on an 1836 since 2019 with no issues. It's like vehicles, those with issues are often the loudest. Not dismissing the issues but what are the statistics of failure vs units that run fine.
 
Daniel Warren said:
I've been turning on an 1836 since 2019 with no issues. It's like vehicles, those with issues are often the loudest. Not dismissing the issues but what are the statistics of failure vs units that run fine.
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I think I'm stuck now. Shipping in "processing" and can't cancel. So these are encouraging words. Thanks!
 
I turned on a 1836 for a few years before I upgraded. It’s a solid lathe for its price point IMO. I had a few issues, but nothing major. If you’re expecting Robust or Vic quality, you’ll be disappointed, but it’s a good option for turners who want to graduate to a full size lathe for a few thousand dollars.

I would, however, strongly recommend you upgrade to a Oneway banjo. It’s only a few hundred bucks and will make turning on that machine a much better experience.
 
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Jaramiah Severns said:
I turned on a 1836 for a few years before I upgraded. It’s a solid lathe for its price point IMO. I had a few issues, but nothing major. If you’re expecting Robust or Vic quality, you’ll be disappointed, but it’s a good option for turners who want to graduate to a full size lathe for a few thousand dollars.

I would, however, strongly recommend you upgrade to a Oneway banjo. It’s only a few hundred bucks and will make turning on that machine a much better experience.
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I second this suggestion!
 
Jaramiah Severns said:
I turned on a 1836 for a few years before I upgraded. It’s a solid lathe for its price point IMO. I had a few issues, but nothing major. If you’re expecting Robust or Vic quality, you’ll be disappointed, but it’s a good option for turners who want to graduate to a full size lathe for a few thousand dollars.

I would, however, strongly recommend you upgrade to a Oneway banjo. It’s only a few hundred bucks and will make turning on that machine a much better experience.
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thanks Jaramiah. I'm not expecting that kind of quality as it's about half the cost of a 3520 :) I have a big lathe for large work (VB36), so this will be for smaller stuff. I"ll check out that banjo.
 
I have a 2436 that I've had for about a year. Had an initial issue with a noise in the motor that took me a bit of forceful conversations with one of their managers to get resolved. They ended up making it right - shipped me an entire new head stock assembly. It's worked great for me since and I work it hard. Often turn 200lb - 300lb blanks and it handles the load and torque just fine. Their banjo design leaves a lot to be desired but I've gotten used to it. The dual controls are a great feature I use all the time. Net, for the price point I would buy it again.
 
Daniel Warren said:
I've been turning on an 1836 since 2019 with no issues. It's like vehicles, those with issues are often the loudest. Not dismissing the issues but what are the statistics of failure vs units that run fine.
Click to expand...
I don't doubt that they are good lathes. But if someone does their research, they probably won't choose Laguna.
 
Well, did my research and chose Laguna. Needed a much larger swing and the price was within my budget. It's always a balance between the need and price. If someone else was writing the check would I have made a different choice? Not sure.
 
Please folks don't take this personally. There are many reasons I would not buy Laguna but that does not mean that every lathe they sell has problems or that every problem has to wait forever to be dealt with. All the lathes that I have purchased and kept have been basically trouble free and I have no problem telling someone that it is a good lathe. I have bought a few that were not the best examples of the companies wares and that soured me on their products, some of which you folks own. I don't own a Oneway or Robust not because they are bad lathes but because they have stainless steel beds. When I turn on a SS bed my body feels like I'm quivering, a feeling I don't get with cast iron. I know that sounds weird and I thought I was an oddity until I was talking to a pro (whom I cannot name) and he said the same thing. What I tell folks is to try and turn on as many different lathes that you can and then buy your last lathe first.
 
Bill Blasic said:
Please folks don't take this personally. There are many reasons I would not buy Laguna but that does not mean that every lathe they sell has problems or that every problem has to wait forever to be dealt with. All the lathes that I have purchased and kept have been basically trouble free and I have no problem telling someone that it is a good lathe. I have bought a few that were not the best examples of the companies wares and that soured me on their products, some of which you folks own. I don't own a Oneway or Robust not because they are bad lathes but because they have stainless steel beds. When I turn on a SS bed my body feels like I'm quivering, a feeling I don't get with cast iron. I know that sounds weird and I thought I was an oddity until I was talking to a pro (whom I cannot name) and he said the same thing. What I tell folks is to try and turn on as many different lathes that you can and then buy your last lathe first.
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Bill, I don't see how anyone could take that personally. Well and nicely said. As for me, I did buy one and it just shipped so I'll see how I like it. Worst case scenario is I sell and buy something else. I will say that my Laguna table saw has been excellent for me and was a factor in my decision. I just wish money grew on trees!
 
I owned a Laguna 18-36 for a little over two years. I did have multiple switch/relay problems. Always replacing something. I had great CS from Laguna. They always answered and were quick to send parts. That was 5 years ago. Another turner in our club has not had any problems with his 18-36. I got tired of replacing part and decided to buy a Robust. Unlike Bill I love the stainless ways. I have turned on cast iron, steel (Laguna), and stainless ways. Stainless are far better IMO. Actually the one thing I did not like about the Laguna was the steel ways. They just felt “scratchy” to me.

Mark, tell me you didn’t cut down your money tree and make a bowl!
 
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