• Congratulations to Dave Potts, People's Choice in the August 2025 Turning Challenge (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Ted Pelfrey for "Cherry Burl" being selected as Turning of the Week for September 1, 2025 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...

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!
 
William Rogers said:
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!
Click to expand...

Actually, I think that's exactly what I did; cut down the tree to make bowls. :)
 
Hmm, Bill, you are strange, at least compared to me.... I have a Robust, and a Vic 240, and the only differences I notice are that they make different noises as I turn bowls. I went from the 3520A to the American Beauty. I have heard some say they have vibration issues with the stainless beds, but I have not noticed it. There is one thing about the Laguna lathes that I do not like, and that is that big cone on the headstock tower. I prefer to turn bowls without engaging the tailstock, which to me is not a safety issue, but a "time" issue for production work. As far as I am concerned, the more a piece is cantilevered off of the headstock tower, the more vibration issues there will be. To me, the Vicmark has the best headstock design. The design on the 3520A was excellent as well, but now many lathes are using "bell" housings so the headstock spindle can be removed for servicing if that is ever needed, or like the Laguna, they have that huge cone. With my turning style, I do not need access to the back side of a bowl, I am a one and done guy, no twice turned bowls for me.

robo hippy
 
Robo, one of the things I like about the Laguna is the big cone, for the very reason you don't like it :) I like having access to the back of a workpiece (depending on what I'm turning).
 
I preferred the location of the switches and the cone on the Laguna to the pm3520b.

I would rest my arm on the cone when sanding and turn the piece with my hand.

As for the ss vs cast iron, not a big deal to me. The cast ways are a little more quiet or soft feeling but not something that changes the outcome imo.
 
Bought a banjo from Laguna:
1. An easy item to make and ship.
2. Telephone call; verified item number and price; paid for item.
3. About a month later issues and excuses started; on the shipping container; waiting for factory to ship; you did not order that part for that price (excuse dropped when I sent copies of their confirmation for the order and payment); parts back ordered.
4. We're canceling your order-that part isn't available. ??? It's a banjo for your lathes.??? I want it shipped.
5. A few days short of a year the shipment arrived.
All of this was for a banjo. Something to think about before you buy an expensive lathe with electronic components.
 
Update: I finally heard from Laguna. The lathe shipped. I don't know whether to be happy or concerned :rolleyes:

It arrives Monday so we'll see over the next weeks, months...
 
Terry Brown said:
Bought a banjo from Laguna:
1. An easy item to make and ship.
2. Telephone call; verified item number and price; paid for item.
3. About a month later issues and excuses started; on the shipping container; waiting for factory to ship; you did not order that part for that price (excuse dropped when I sent copies of their confirmation for the order and payment); parts back ordered.
4. We're canceling your order-that part isn't available. ??? It's a banjo for your lathes.??? I want it shipped.
5. A few days short of a year the shipment arrived.
All of this was for a banjo. Something to think about before you buy an expensive lathe with electronic components.
Click to expand...
I do understand a bit where they are coming from. If they don't normally sell banjos by themselves, they are made in the same quantity as the lathes. So possibly they had to special order an extra banjo to made with the next run of lathes. I do agree with you that them making excuses that you never placed the order is nonsense. However I do have friends that use Laguna lathes and they highly recommend them.
 
Mark Hepburn said:
Update: I finally heard from Laguna. The lathe shipped. I don't know whether to be happy or concerned :rolleyes:

It arrives Monday so we'll see over the next weeks, months...
Click to expand...
I'm wishing you the best on your new lathe. Congratulations on your new lathe. May it work for you in all of the projects that you want to tackle. 😎☕️
 
Rick Jarosz said:
I'm wishing you the best on your new lathe. Congratulations on your new lathe. May it work for you in all of the projects that you want to tackle. 😎☕️
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick! I'm an optimist by nature so I'm hopeful it will be a good experience.
 
Mark Hepburn said:
Thanks Rick! I'm an optimist by nature so I'm hopeful it will be a good experience.
Click to expand...
I am a born mechanic... I like to make things work to do what I want them to do. I can usually get my tools to do what I need them to do. Wood on the other hand requires finesse. It requires you to change your approach. It's a challenge, and those are something that I need to figure out. 🤔😎☕️
 
Rick Jarosz said:
I am a born mechanic... I like to make things work to do what I want them to do. I can usually get my tools to do what I need them to do. Wood on the other hand requires finesse. It requires you to change your approach. It's a challenge, and those are something that I need to figure out. 🤔😎☕️
Click to expand...

I'm the opposite. Wood seems much easier than mechanical things. I can do enough to keep my tools alive but thats about it. :)
 
Wyatt Holm said:
I do understand a bit where they are coming from. If they don't normally sell banjos by themselves, they are made in the same quantity as the lathes. So possibly they had to special order an extra banjo to made with the next run of lathes. I do agree with you that them making excuses that you never placed the order is nonsense. However I do have friends that use Laguna lathes and they highly recommend them.
Click to expand...
This was advertised on their site with price as a stand alone item. Emails and telephone calls were exchanged verifying that the advertisement was correct and payment was made.
 
I do feel that Laguna is suffering from unnecessary negative publicity. However as far as customer service goes, I can't think of many companies I buy from, or would like to, have good customer service. A few recently that I am quite disappointed in would be Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. Not to mention airline companies, all of them are dreadful customer service.
 
Wyatt Holm said:
I do feel that Laguna is suffering from unnecessary negative publicity. However as far as customer service goes, I can't think of many companies I buy from, or would like to, have good customer service. A few recently that I am quite disappointed in would be Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. Not to mention airline companies, all of them are dreadful customer service.
Click to expand...

Yes, service seems to no longer be a priority for larger companies. Local? Different story.
 
Let's look at the line of thought that lathes and banjos are made in identical quantities and that was the problem with the order. Will someone who receives a lathe with a defective banjo have to wait over 11 1/2 months for a replacement? Realistically I think not, but this case speaks volumes about their attitude toward customer care
 
Terry Brown said:
Let's look at the line of thought that lathes and banjos are made in identical quantities and that was the problem with the order. Will someone who receives a lathe with a defective banjo have to wait over 11 1/2 months for a replacement? Realistically I think not, but this case speaks volumes about their attitude toward customer care
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you Terry. The company I work for lives or dies by its customer service. Period. We can't offer excuses and we don't. We take care of problems when they arise. I don't see this same ethos as being prevalent these days. I guess I'm just old and grumpy. :-)
 
Mark, The Laguna is not a bad lathe. As far as the cone contributing to vibration, I disagree with Robo. It doesn’t make any difference if there is a cone and the extension does not increase vibration IMO. If there was an increase in vibration due to the cone, then these lathes would develope fatigue cracks by now and I haven’t seen this. Vibration is due a lot of other factors and the cone is not one of them.
The only other thing you need to consider is the height. The Laguna is low, I think 41 1/2” floor to spindle. I turned at that height and eventually had back problems. I should have gotten the risers or at least raised the lathe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top