Laguna Tools

Laguna Tools, based in Irvine, California, has been leading the industry in woodworking innovations for 33 years and continues to challenge the industry with new advancements.

At Laguna Tools, their team aim to be “globally local” as they are involved in many community outreach programs in which they offer their time, support, products, and services.

HISTORY

Laguna Tools was founded in 1983 by Torben Helshoj who saw an opportunity to bring high-quality European woodworking machinery to the US. The first tools to be introduced were combination machines and soon lead to Laguna Tools’ most iconic machine, the Italian Bandsaw. Over the years they built an extensive line of woodworking machinery, before moving forward with development of their own CNC Automation.

Laguna Tools launched their line of CNC Machines with the SmartShop and soon followed it up with the Swift and IQ machines. After innovating on the CNC Router end, they came out with even more advanced machinery such as CO2 Lasers and Plasma Cutters. Now Laguna Tools has a wider range of machinery available than ever before, all to help their customers achieve their goals to improve the way they do business.

Who is Laguna Tools?

Laguna Tools are the people they employ, the products they sell and the passion to serve their customers that emanates from both.

Laguna Tools was born in Laguna Beach, California, out of a desperate need to find safe, quality and precise woodworking machines for Torben Helshoj’s custom woodworking shop in Laguna Canyon. The tools that his partners used did not meet the high standards that Torben had used in Denmark, where he earned the Queen of Denmark’s Silver Medal in woodworking.

Armed with the experience from his four-year furniture making apprenticeship Torben returned to Europe with his business partners to purchase machines that would improve the quality of cuts and improve inefficiencies.

Laguna Tools forged a partnership with Robland Machines International to import high-end, superior quality woodworking machines and over the next decade the company became the number one importer of combination machinery in the US.

Now, over three decades later, Laguna Tools is still a corporation with the same values of quality, accuracy and safe products and that also focuses on their customers and their needs.

While they started off as a leader in the woodworking industry, they have now applied their innovative ideas to the metal, plastics, signs and composite businesses worldwide.

Laguna Tools does everything with one goal in mind — to help their customers build personal success stories.

People

Laguna's success over the past three decades has been driven by the passion of their team members. They have a critical role in delivering both outstanding products and superior customer service.

The company philosophy is to hire employees with great attitudes, first and foremost. While most companies focus on experience, Laguna believe that by hiring people with the right attitude, they can create a corporate culture that is passionate about their company, their products, and satisfying the needs of their customers.

Products

The main focus of Laguna Tools is to provide solutions for their customers’ needs.

Yes, they sell machines, but ultimately they sell products that solve simple-to-complex issues. Whether you are the consummate woodworker crafting a work of art to pass down to your grandson, or a production manager who demands precise, quality and consistent parts, Laguna products provide you with the tools to complete the task.

Laguna does everything with one goal in mind — to help their customers build personal success stories.

Laguna Tools Awards & Innovations

LT14 SUV
• 2011 Wood Magazine Overall Best – Editor’s Choice

LT14 SE
• 2008 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best Overall – Editor’s Choice
• 2008 3LUXE Simply find the best of everything- “BEST OF” SELECTIONS
• 2007 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best Overall- Editor’s Choice

LT14
• 2005 Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best – Overall – Editor’s Choice
• 2005 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding – Reader’s Choice
• 2004 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding – Reader’s Choice
• 2004 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best Overall – Editor’s Choice
• 2003 Wood Magazine features LT14 in Idea Shop # 5
• 2002 Woodworkers Journal Tools that Endure Award

LT16 HD
• 1998 American Woodworker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award

LT16
• 2003 American Woodworkers Tools buyers guide – Editor’s Choice Award
• 2002 American Woodworkers Tools buyers guide – Editor’s Choice Award
• 2001 American Woodworkers Tools buyers guide – Editor’s Choice Award
• Good Woodworking (UK) gives 4 out of 5 points for performance

LT18 SE
• 2005 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Reader’s Choice
• 2005 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best Overall – Editor’s Choice
• 2004 Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding Best Overall – Editor’s Choice

LT18
• 2001 Popular Woodworking “Recommends” LT 18 to readers

• 2003 AWFS Fair New Product Showcase Award Winner

• 2011 Manufacturing Enterprise Communications PM100 Winner :    Data and Integration Mastery

Innovations & Firsts

Shear Force 2007
Driftmaster 2004
Timber Master 2004
Laguna Feeder 2003
Pinnacle 2003
Resaw King Blade 2003
Laguna Guides 2000