Laguna Fusion 1 Tablesaw

Review: John McBratney

The Laguna tablesaws have been around for several years and have been recently upgraded. The Fusion 1 model, reviewed here, is the smallest of three. It is however a thoroughly high quality unit albeit on the smaller end of its type. The blade is 10 inches in diameter (254mm) and comes with a TC tipped 60 tooth general purpose tooth pattern. The arbor diameter is 0.62 inch (15.87mm) and it can accept a dado stack of up to 0.75 inch (19.05mm). The motor is rated at 1.5hp or just over 1100 watts. This arrangement has proven entirely adequate for fine cuts of hardwood up to around 7850mm.

Easy access for blade changing using simple fixed lever shown left in photo.

A significant feature of the unit is its precision ground and polished cast iron tabletop. The top has two T-tracks of standard (US) size, one on each side of the blade. The casting has deep webs beneath it which provide for a very stable surface over a long period of use. This tabletop is vastly superior to many others that use pressed steel surfaces. The tracks are perfectly parallel – I have made a cross-cut sled for it and it is most successful.

The motor and blade assembly is mounted on a cast aluminium trunnion of a heavy construction ensuring accuracy and repeatability of cuts. The tabletop fence is also solid and securely fixed at both ends once adjusted to the desired location. I found accuracy of the fence, blade and tracks to be excellent – out of the box. Power to the unit is 240 volt, single phase and it can be run from a standard GPO socket.

Large angle tilt motor/blade mount, showing internal dust collection hose.

The motor clearly is fitted with very high quality bearings; this is demonstrated by the long slow-down time upon switching it off. The last third of the slow-down time is virtually silent so it is essential to be most careful on turning off. I suggest watching the blade and refraining from moving the work or touching any control until the blade is stationary.

The Fusion 1 has a blade guard fitted with a quick-change mechanism, also used for the riving knife – no tools are needed, a simple lever frees both at the dust hose from the blade guard and connects to the 4 inch (100mm) diameter dust port at the rear of the lower cabinet.

The Fusion 1 is supplied with quite a good mitre gauge, a push-stick and several small tools. There is a hanging rack for these on one end.

The lever locks both ends of the fence.

Assembly was very difficult with one person – out of the box the top section is extremely heavy. The total weight once assembled is 88.5kg, and most of that is in the top section. I had to use a 5:1 pulley to lift it out of the box and place it over the bottom section as it was screwed together.

My one criticism regarding assembly is that the bolts connecting the top and bottom section are very hard to insert and apply the washers and nuts to. I had to make a special bolt holder, (10mm dowel, hole in the end, tap washer spigot inserted and double-sided tape on the washer) and ask my wife to put the nuts on. Some access holes in the side of the lower case would have helped considerably.

Regarding weight, it is heavy, but this ensures stability in use. If, however, a user needs to move it regularly, say in a small workshop, Laguna fold-down wheels for one end are available as an extra. I do recommend that during assembly one has a second pair of strong hands. It is assembled with the tabletop down, so it must be placed on a blanket or other thick, soft material to prevent damage. Turning it over must be done very carefully and here my use of a pulley fixed to my workshop roof beams was both a safe process and ensured it did not overbalance and fall on its side. Great care is needed in safe handling during assembly, to avoid personal injury and damage to the machine.

Blade height and angle adjustment wheels – the height wheel is at the front.

In use I have found this machine to be excellent. It is accurate, the blade is parallel to the fence (without my having to adjust it) and the on/off switch may be located anywhere along the left hand side of the side rail. It is at a good height to activate the off button (a large red lever over the actual button) with a knee if necessary.

There is one minor deficiency in that the dust collection is mediocre. The hose from the blade guard top is around 30mm diameter connected to the 4 inch dust port. One needs quite a large dust extractor vacuum to make this work satisfactorily. I have adapted my Festool dust vacuum to the 4 inch port but dust still collects around the machine in use. A small annoyance that does not detract from the machine’s overall very good performance.

For the money, I consider the Fusion 1 a very sound investment for a small to medium sized workshop.

Laguna machinery is available from Carbatec, see www.carbatec.com.au