Tool Gloat...Santa Shows Up Finally

cpowell · 01-21-2006, 09:33 PM

LOML ordered the Rikon 10-345 bandsaw just before Christmas. Woodcraft called yesterday and I picked it up last night.

My wife and son helped me unwrap it and get it onto a mobile base. I spent last night tinkering with it and played with it a while this afternoon.

First, the BAD. I will need a replacement table. One of the 4 bolt holes was screwed up. Looked like they drilled it with an oversized bit or the cast iron wallowed out after drilling. The attempted to tap it but the threads are not usable. Also one of the twist lock knobs on the door was cracked. Overall, not bad after being shipped around the world.

After my bad experience with the new Delta that I ended up returning I was beginning to get a little worried that the saw would be a clunker, but, aligning and tensioning the Timberwolf blade then setting the roller bearings and running the machine eased my fears. Very smooth, almost vibration-free! It cuts VERY well.

Large roller bearings are a pain to set but I'm getting better at it after a few changeovers.

The saw runs very smooth, and did I mention it cuts VERY well? Well, it does!!

I traced a few curves and then a straight line to mark the blade drift. Set the fence and started ripping. Man, it cut really nice!

Couldn't remember if I had already mentioned that or not?

Did I mention that I also got 4 Timberwold blades to go with it? Boy, they really run smooth!

I do believe I'm gonna have fun with the new toy tomorrow!!

Here's a pic of the finished saw. I also took a pic of the new, improved trunnion but to be honest I don't know how it differs from the old one.

Chuck

SteveColes · 01-21-2006, 09:54 PM

Congrats!!

McRabbet · 01-21-2006, 09:55 PM

Despite the bad bolt hole, looks like you got it together with both the fence in place and the table onto the trunnion... Not all you need to do is get some practice before tackling that stack of cedar boards we've all heard about... BTW,

You Suck!

Rob

Steve D · 01-21-2006, 09:56 PM

Sweet saw, I hope you get the table problem solved without a hassle. After the Delta experience, you are definitely due for some good Karma.

Monty · 01-21-2006, 09:57 PM

COOL!!!! That trunion is cast iron instead of steel like mine... here's mine for comparison:

Sweet saw ya got there!!!

DaveO · 01-21-2006, 09:58 PM

I prolly told you this before but it is still true YOU SUCK Sorry to hear about the shipping damage, but I am sure that Rikon with make it right. Nice looking shop BTW, got some shiny CI in there.
Dave

Ryan · 01-21-2006, 11:31 PM

Well congratulations on the new saw, now I'm jealous! Keep us updated on the damage issue, I'd like to know how Rikon responds to the issue.

D L Ames · 01-22-2006, 10:44 AM

Chuck, congrats.

I would tell you suck but that would be like calling the kettle black since I suck right up there with you. I have had my Rikon since November and love it. Thanks for posting the pics of the new trunnion design. Mine has the old style trunnion like the one Insom posted a picture of. What mobile base did you use for your saw? Do you have any issues with the saw rocking on the mobile base? I used the Universal Mobile Base sold by WC and the saw has a tendency to rock some. I might just have to tweak the mobile base a bit to stabilize this.

D L

cpowell · 01-22-2006, 11:04 AM

I called HTC and spoke with someone there. I gave them the base dimensions and the weight. They strongly recommended the HRBS-14, designed originally for a Delta 14 bandsaw, I think. I put the saw on it and it rocks in the direction perpendicular to the saw blade plane. I feel like part of the problem is that the saw base is not perfectly coplanar with the surfaces of the mobile base.

I'm gonna try to improve the rocking issue. BTW, it only rocks if pushed side-to-side. It doesn't move when cutting...uh, at least not so far.

FWIW the only rock solid mobile bases I've seen are from Delta. They are better engineered than Delta machinery!

D L Ames · 01-22-2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by cpowell

I called HTC and spoke with someone there. I gave them the base dimensions and the weight. They strongly recommended the HRBS-14, designed originally for a Delta 14 bandsaw, I think. I put the saw on it and it rocks in the direction perpendicular to the saw blade plane. I feel like part of the problem is that the saw base is not perfectly coplanar with the surfaces of the mobile base.

I'm gonna try to improve the rocking issue. BTW, it only rocks if pushed side-to-side. It doesn't move when cutting...uh, at least not so far.

FWIW the only rock solid mobile bases I've seen are from Delta. They are better engineered than Delta machinery!

Thanks for the response Chuck. I think the coplanar issue is what is causing my saw to rock also. I added a couple of shims between the base of the saw and the mobile base that seemed to help some. Of course, that is one big piece of machinery sitting on that mobile base and I am not sure if I will ever be able to get it perfectly stable.

D L

Travis Porter · 01-22-2006, 12:44 PM

You really do suck. I looked this thing over pretty hard one day at Woodcraft and it was pretty impressive for the price. If you decide it isn't what you want, I will give you 1/2 of what you paid for it as long as it is less than 1 year old.

sapwood · 01-22-2006, 03:27 PM

Truly gloatworthy Chuck and I'm confident you'll get the problems resolved.

Just don't come around my house carrying a chainsaw--know you can't wait to feed that baby some wood

Sapwood

cpowell · 01-22-2006, 07:31 PM

drilled a few holes in the stock fence and screwed a piece of straight ply to it. Tracked, tensioned, set the guides and ran a 14 inch long piece of red oak, 7.5 inches wide.

Wow, it really cut nice. The aux fence was not perfectly parallel to the blade so it was a litle thicker at the top than the bottom but the performance was perfect. There was very little evidence of saw marks at all and it was straight, no wandering.

Did I mention how well that baby runs with the Timberwolf blades? Man, it's smooth.

Can't wait to get a replacement fence so I can make adjustments that are FINAL.

I'm getting faster at adjusting the tracking, tension and roller guides now. Travis, I could sell you the saw but I'd have to mark it up to 1500 dollars (have to include a setup fee) plus rigging (300 dollars) plus shipping (200 dollars)! Naw, never mind!!

I think I'm in love.

Chuck

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