Official Luthiers Forum!

I see from the archieves and recent posts that some of you have purchased the 18 inch Rikon Bandsaw. Can I get some feedback on how you like it. Does it do the job when it comes to resawing? The deal at Woodcraft seems really good at $999.00, but a little input from those who have used the saw would be helpful. Sale goes off on 2/25/10 so I still have a little time to gather the money.

Thanks
Ken Hageman

Ken I've been researching bandsaws for the past 30 days. My approach was simple...match the blade I want to use to the saw...rather than buy the saw and hope it can handle the blade.

The blade I will be running is a Woodmaster CT 1 inch / 1.3tpi. IF you have serious aspirations toward resawing this is the blade to get. Others will have other opinions on this I'm sure...nonetheless....it's the blade I am choosing. In addition, when you consider that it's only an extra 100 or so bucks....why not?

By the few accounts I've been able to dig up...it will handle this blade. It's nearly identical to the Grizzly 19 inch X series they sell for 1300 bucks...roughly. I have looked closely at the tensioning mechanism on the Rikon 18 and it seems sturdy and durable. Rikon rates the saw for a blade up to 1 1/4 inch wide. I'm not endorsing Rikon's rating of the blades ability to handle a blade that wide...but then I won't be using one like that anyway.

So...there's my thinking. Todd Stock has a recent posting on this saw somewhere on the first page...it's worth reading if you haven't already.

Chris

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25956
This should get you to todd's post

I've had one for several years and I really like it. I run both wide resaw blades and narrow 1/4" blades for small contours. The motor is powerful enough for resawing, but the right blade for the wood you're resawing is pretty crucial, regardless of the saw.

Down points? The blade guides, while a lot better than most (I really prefer ball bearing blade guides) can be tricky to adjust, but if you're careful in tightening the bolts, it sets up pretty nicely. The upper wheel mounting has more slop in it that I would prefer. It doesn't affect blade tracking once everything's tensioned, but setting up the blade at lower tensions is tricky because of it. I would also prefer a more solid table trunion, but again, it's caused no problems for me.

Overall, I really like the saw a lot. Only thing better would be a monster 36" Tannewitz, but I'd have to build a new shop to fit that in!! I've sawn 1/8" plates very easily and with the right blade, I get a remarkably smooth and flat finish. I think it's a good saw for luthier work without spending multiple thousands for it.

Pat,
I'm so curious as to which resaw blades you have used on the saw. Couldjya Wouldjya tell?

Chris

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.