Choices, choices...
In the next coupla weeks I'm gonna purchase a 14" bandsaw. I'm torn between getting the Grizzly G0555 with riser blocks, or the Rikon 10-325 "Ultimate" bandsaw. I can afford the latter but it's a big stretch, especially with taxes and shipping factored in. The question is, is it worth the extra $$$ over the Grizzly?
Grizzly - $530 w/riser block & shipping (no tax - online purchase),
- Cast Aluminum Wheels, open stand,
- iffy bearing guides (from reviews & comments)
- coplaner adjustments possible with riser blocks
- 1 HP motor
- Need to install riser block
Rikon - $900 w/tax & shipping (purchased locally)
- Cast Iron Wheels, Closed Stand,
- 13" Resaw out of the box,
- 1-1/2 HP motor
- Attached worklight (woohoo! tounge-in-cheek - I can add a light.)
This is going in a garage shop with a mobile base. (I've got half of a two car garage to work with). I've never worked with Grizzy or Rikon. What have your experiences been with these manufacturers? I have learned the lesson about buying quality over price where possible, but I don't know that the Rikon quality is that much above the Grizzly since I've not worked with either. I have visited the Rikon at our local Woodcraft store and it looks darn good.
The SWMBO is fine with either (nice bonus this year...)
(I've also got my eyes on the Veritas 4-1/2 smoothing plane - Grizzly + plane - hmmmm. Is the Grizzly good enough?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts...
John