Looking at a New Bandsaw

[Barry McFadden]

I usually post in the Turners Forum but have come here to hopefully gain some knowledge from members experience with bandsaws. I have an old Craftsman 12" bandsaw that works great since it's about 30 years old and never had an issue other than a couple of bearings I replaced. The problem is it only has a height capacity of about 6.5" and it really limits the size of bowl blanks I want to cut. I see Lee Valley now has a Rikon 14" Deluxe bandsaw with a 13" cut capacity advertised for $1349.00 Canadian. They are in a Free Shipping promotion right now till Feb. 21 and the saw is available on Feb. 27 but I think if I placed an order now they would still give the deal. If not it's only a 45 min. drive and I could pick it up. My question is, what do you guys think about the price and the Rikon brand in general? I would really appreciate hearing your pro's and con's before I commit to the deal......thanks

[Mike Kees]

Barry you might get more help if you listed the model number. I went to Lee Valley and checked it out,it looks like a pretty good unit. Canadian woodworker had Rikon bandsaws,maybe check them for prices. The only Rikon tool I own is the 8'' slow speed grinder. Hopefully someone with Rikon bandsaw experience can help out here. Good luck ,Mike.

[Jim Becker]

Barry, you might also want to keep your eye out for a good used "heavier" bandsaw, particularly one with a Euro type design.

Rikon has a decent reputation for providing reasonably good machines in the "upper low end to mid-range" market. You have some other mass produced brands north of the border that have potential choices for you, too. I'm sure there are other members who can provide the brands.

[Barry McFadden]

Barry you might get more help if you listed the model number. I went to Lee Valley and checked it out,it looks like a pretty good unit. Canadian woodworker had Rikon bandsaws,maybe check them for prices. The only Rikon tool I own is the 8'' slow speed grinder. Hopefully someone with Rikon bandsaw experience can help out here. Good luck ,Mike.

Sorry Mike...thought I had... the model is 10-326...

[Barry McFadden]

Thanks Jim....have been looking at Craftex from Busy Bee......but I don't see a lot of good comments about them....

[Jim Becker]

Is "Busy Bee" the Grizzly equivalent "up north"??

General International might also have something affordable.

Having a tool that has some weight and heft can be beneficial to you as you work with those heavy, wet log sections to get them ready for turning. I originally had a 14" Jet saw and while it could cut the wood, the heft of the machine didn't contribute much to the "feeling of comfort" while doing the job. It wiggled a lot... After I upgraded to the beefy bandsaw I have in my shop, it didn't move at all when I threw a section of a wet log on the table to cut a round or whatever. The heavier machines can also handle the slightly thicker blades that are better suited to cutting wet wood. This is why a heavier used saw, if you can find one, might be a better fit "for what you do" if you aim to make larger turning blanks.

[Bradley Gray]

I agree with Jim re an older, heavier saw. If you have room, bigger saws are often cheaper. Band saws last a long time. I have an old 32" Crescent with babbet bearings that has run almost daily for 35 years with no major maintenance.

I recommend hanging on to the old Craftsman - I have one I keep an 1/8" blade on - very handy.

[andy bessette]

For the same budget I'd get a larger, used saw.

[David Sloan]

I had an old Grizzly saw with 8" capacity that worked well for cutting bowl blanks but the 8" capacity was frustrating so I sold it and bought a Laguna 1412. At Woodcraft the Rikon and Laguna stand side by side and from looking at them closely and reading a lot about both saws they are both great saws for the pricepoint. If preparing bowl blanks is your priority I would second the suggestion about buying a heavy well powered used saw with good height capacity. I also agree that hanging on to the old saw is a good idea. I wish I hadn't sold my old Grizzly!

[Mike Null]

I bought a Laguna 1412 almost two years ago. I am very pleased with it but my cutting is fairly easy and involves only dry wood so I'm not testing it like some of the other respondents might.

I still have my smaller BS but will sell it soon as I just don't have space. Like everybody else, I'd like to keep it.

[Brian W Smith]

Larger used would pair up nicely with your Cman.Put a narrow blade on it for contour work,set up the 20...or larger with 3/4 or better resaw blade.

[Chris Hachet]

Is "Busy Bee" the Grizzly equivalent "up north"??

General International might also have something affordable.

Having a tool that has some weight and heft can be beneficial to you as you work with those heavy, wet log sections to get them ready for turning. I originally had a 14" Jet saw and while it could cut the wood, the heft of the machine didn't contribute much to the "feeling of comfort" while doing the job. It wiggled a lot... After I upgraded to the beefy bandsaw I have in my shop, it didn't move at all when I threw a section of a wet log on the table to cut a round or whatever. The heavier machines can also handle the slightly thicker blades that are better suited to cutting wet wood. This is why a heavier used saw, if you can find one, might be a better fit "for what you do" if you aim to make larger turning blanks.

I am looking for one of these myself. Yes, as the owner of a 14 inch Jet, a 14 inch machine is very limited in many ways. I want at least an 18 inch size and at least 3 HP. That seems like a reasonable size.

[Chris Hachet]

I had an old Grizzly saw with 8" capacity that worked well for cutting bowl blanks but the 8" capacity was frustrating so I sold it and bought a Laguna 1412. At Woodcraft the Rikon and Laguna stand side by side and from looking at them closely and reading a lot about both saws they are both great saws for the pricepoint. If preparing bowl blanks is your priority I would second the suggestion about buying a heavy well powered used saw with good height capacity. I also agree that hanging on to the old saw is a good idea. I wish I hadn't sold my old Grizzly!

I have only gotten rid of a couple of tools since I started woodworking and I regret getting rid of both of them, actually. One was a Craftsman router I gave to my neighbor when he started woodworking. At least I have another woodworker who lives nearby when I need a hand with something!

[Chris Hachet]

Larger used would pair up nicely with your Cman.Put a narrow blade on it for contour work,set up the 20...or larger with 3/4 or better resaw blade.

This is my thinking. Putting a Carter stabilizer on my 14 inch, looking for a nice used machine for resaw work.

[Barry McFadden]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really think that a 14" bandsaw would be plenty power for me (1 3/4 HP) since I'm making due now with the Craftsman at 1/2 HP. You got me thinking though about keeping the Craftsman as well instead of selling it. I think I'll take a look at the Rikon 10-326 when they get it at Lee Valley around Feb. 27th. Thanks again.