Rikon Band Saw - Page 2

Rikon Band Saw · 11-02-2009, 09:33 PM

Hi all,

I am new around here and was wondering if anyone can comment on the Rikon brand, specifically the band saw model 10-325. Woodcraft has this model on sale and a band saw is on my list.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/202...e-Bandsaw.aspx

Anyone know anything good or bad about these?

Thanks!

Dave

dave · 11-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by ptt49er

Get the band saw. If and WHEN you get into turning you will need the band saw to trim up blanks.

And always get the best you can afford. You will enjoy quality long after the hurt from shelling out a little extra cash has passed.

Thanks Phillip! Good advice... Most of my tools so far have been "budget" tools, but I am at a point where I want to spend more on quality tools.

Dave

ptt49er · 11-04-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm fighting that battle now. When I first started tinkering in the realm of wood I got cheap stuff. I've managed to get good larger tools (i.e. table saw, band saw, jointer) but my smaller stuff (i.e. clamps, gadgets, etc) have all been cheap and I hate working on stuff because I get frustrated with it.

Spend the time researching and finding deals. You'll enjoy your shop time even more and if your shop time is as sparse as mine it means even more.

On the Rikon band saw...I've seen Mike Davis use his and it was a sweet tool (and if I remember right it's one of only a few new tools he's ever purchased).

LeeNC · 11-04-2009, 02:36 PM

The 10-325 was offered for $650 at the Hickory show last weekend. I wish I had been ready to take it home then. I was very close to getting it anyway. You might be able to get them (Klingspor) to sell it to you at that price if you call.
Lee

dave · 11-04-2009, 02:44 PM

LOL - that sounds like me Phillip!

Thanks Lee - Scott recommended them too... going to call them now, before I get distracted.

Dave

Mike Davis · 11-04-2009, 03:00 PM

I got mine at Klingspor in Winston-Salem, it was $699 there two years ago.

Phillip is right the only new stationary tools I have bought are my now 14 year old Delta table saw and this Rikon band saw. Everything else is old iron bought at great discount.

I have had several used band saws, some were OK and some were real dogs. I finally got tired of fighting the old dogs and got the best saw at the best price after doing a lot of research and asking a lot of questions here and other places. A small footprint, ease of adjustment and high re-saw capacity were my priorities as well as price.

As to lathe vs. band saw I'd have to say get the band saw. Either could stand alone as your only power tool and be justified in many ways. You have to decide what kind of work you want to do, but it sounds like you are heavily invested in the flat world and this makes the most sense to combine with your other tools.

Later you may decide to go round and that will require a much larger investment to get an equal quality tool.

dave · 11-04-2009, 10:07 PM

Thanks Mike! Looks like I'll be the proud owner of a new band saw by this weekend!!

Klingspor did say they would match the price, but they don't carry workbenches, which I'll also be picking up, so it looks like I'll be hitting woodcraft this time around.

Thanks all for the feedback!

Dave

Ken Massingale · 11-05-2009, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by dave

Thanks Mike! Looks like I'll be the proud owner of a new band saw by this weekend!!

Klingspor did say they would match the price, but they don't carry workbenches, which I'll also be picking up, so it looks like I'll be hitting woodcraft this time around.

Thanks all for the feedback!

Dave

Woodcraft has the nice Sjobergs bench on sale for $300, down from $440. Plus there is a 10% off coupon on the new flier. (Storage cabinet shown not included, $160)

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...Workbench.aspx

dave · 11-05-2009, 10:17 AM

Ken - you're a mindreader???

That's exactly the bench I am considering. I would love one just a little longer, but don't have the space and this one is a deal at that price.

Dave

blackemmons · 11-08-2009, 05:15 PM

Add me to the list of satisfied 10-325 owners. If you get one, throw the blade away and get a Woodslicer or comparable(I know, nothing compares).

Still can't understand why manufactures put a junk blade on a good band saw, bad seat on a good motorcycle, bad blade in a good table saw............blah, blah, blah.

I thought first impressions meant something. You may not get to make a second one.

I kept my Delta 14" for small stuff.

Jim

dancam · 11-08-2009, 05:49 PM

I also have the Rikon 14" deluxe and agree, put a wood-slicer on it straight away. I also upgraded to Carter guides and I couldn't be happier (well maybe a 24" Laguna would make me happier).

Dan C.

Ken Massingale · 11-08-2009, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by dancam

I also have the Rikon 14" deluxe and agree, put a wood-slicer on it straight away. I also upgraded to Carter guides and I couldn't be happier (well maybe a 24" Laguna would make me happier).

Dan C.

Dan,
So you have the Carter guides on the 10-325...
If I have a 'could be better' on the Rikon it's the way the guide bearings are adjusted. I've looked at the Carters and hesitated due to the cost and not knowing anyone who has made the change.
If you can describe your experience between the stock guides and the Carters, I'd appreciate it a lot.
(Sorry for the thread semi-hijack guys)

dancam · 11-08-2009, 07:59 PM

Ken...I got the Carter guides at last years WW;g show (Hickory) at a really good price. It also included a pretty good DVD with some good bandsaw tips. The beauty of the Carters over the stock guides is that with the Carters you don't need any tools to adjust. The Carters have thumb screws that tighten/loosen the actual guide bearings and a knurled knob to laterally adjust.

Just adjust the lateral position and then adjust the guide to the blade via the thumb screw and voila you're set. Carter also has a special single guide for thin blades but I've not gotten that as the slimmest blade I use is 1/4".

BTW...on another unrelated matter, when I was setting up the bandsaw I could not get the stock fence (extruded al) to be perfectly perpendicular to the blade/table. I called Rikon for tech support and then immediately suggested that the fence might be out of square and then FedEx' a new one in two days...Good cust svc.

Dan C.

blackemmons · 11-08-2009, 08:15 PM

I've got the Carter's on my Delta 14". No problem with the Rikon guides for me.

Jim

Mike Davis · 11-08-2009, 09:23 PM

If I changed blades a lot I would upgrade to Carters. The Rikon guides do take a little fussing to adjust. But for me, at this point I can't justify the extra cost.

Ken Massingale · 11-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

If I changed blades a lot I would upgrade to Carters. The Rikon guides do take a little fussing to adjust. But for me, at this point I can't justify the extra cost.

Yeah, that's my dilemma Mike. I do switch between the 1/4' blade I use more often, to a 1/2" bimetal blade for resawing pretty often. But is it enough aggravation to warrant the cost of the Carter, I don't know..