Replies

1. 
   dtraversi | Jun 18, 2006 04:54am | #1

   I was in your shoes about two months ago- after lots of comparisons and tons of review research- I selected a 18" Rikon. I immediately bought a high quality blade for re-sawing and I have been slicing everything I can get my hands on ever since. 3/32" slices of maple, cherry, lace, paduak... This machine is rock solid and can be adjusted to satisfy a perfectionist.
   It was pretty close out of the box but I spent considerable time when it arrived double checking everything and just messing with all the features so I could see what it could do. The max resaw is 12" and you'll need to build an tall auxiliary fence to do that kind of work.
   I can't speak to the quality of the others- I imagine with a good blade and proper settings they are all as good as the Rikon. The thing that decided it for me came down to price. I'm sure I'd have loved a Minimax or a Laguna but I decided to spend the extra $ on a variety of quality blades so I could really put the machine to work.
   good luck.

2. 
   aew | Jun 19, 2006 03:49pm | #2

   I opted for the Rikon 18" late last year when the old model was on sale. It is not a bad piece of equipment but required a lot of work and some significant effort, including enlarging some holes to permit adjustments to be made for alignment, etc. Overall, given the price, it does what I want but I don't think I would do it again. I have done extensive resawing of logs up to about 9" diameter using a shop made sled with a Wood Slicer blade and it does it well. Fortunately I had more time than money so work through all the quality problems but I think I would consider the Grizzly if I had it to do again. One of the things that kept me from the Grizzly was the many bad experiences I've read with their delivery system. At least the Rikon delivery was relatively trouble free once the driver managed to back the 28' trailer down my narrow 200' driveway in the dark in the middle of a rain storm. The lift gate wouldn't work on my sloping shop entrance so I ended up having to rig a frontloader tractor to pick it up and drop it inside the shop.

3. 
   bones | Jun 19, 2006 07:13pm | #3

   I have the Griz 17" and like it  a lot. I use the timber wolf blades and love the combo. If you do an advanced search on the G0513 you will find numerous posts.  Good luck.

4. 
   Anon | Jun 19, 2006 08:14pm | #4

   I've got the Grizzly and promptly put a 3/4" Wood Slicer from Highland Hardware on it. I have not, for example, tried to cut veneer off long tall slabs, but I have resawn material up to @ 6" wide; 3' long and cut those boards as narrow as 1/4" - 3/16". I've been happy with the surface (needs 1 or 2 light passes through a planer to clean up very light ripples) as well as speed. The saw with a $30 or $40 blade moves right through maple, walnut, and cherry and a fair clip and doesn't bog down. I don't know yet about trying to make a really thin veneer at the outside extremes of what the saw can handle, but I'm happy so far and looking forward to a reason to try longer, thinner cuts from wider, more highly figured boards. So far, I'd say it's great value for the dollar, and I did not experience the shipping trouble so many others have discussed at length.

5. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 20, 2006 03:07am | #5

   I have A RICON 18" I LOVE IT!

   Search my posts! I ame sure there is better but at the price?

1. 
   Glaucon | Jun 20, 2006 06:46pm | #6

   What do you like about it so much? Can you compare it to any other BSs that you have used? There seems to be some mixed opinions on the Rikon...Just curious,Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   Lyptus | Jun 21, 2006 03:26pm | #7

   What about the Grizzly G0513x? This one has cast iron wheels and a larger 24" x 17" table compared to the G0513. It sells for $100.00 more than the regular model but is still $100.00 cheaper than the Rikon. Are cast iron wheels and slightly larger table worth the $100.00 expense?- Lyptus

1. 
   Rennie | Jun 21, 2006 03:57pm | #8

   Lyptus,

   Are you a wey assoc or just expressing an appreciation for a favorite wood?Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

1. 
   Lyptus | Jun 21, 2006 08:52pm | #9

   I don't work for Weyerhauser, I just like Lyptus. I made beds for both of my kids out of Lyptus. It is straight grained, hard, and takes stain beautifully.

2. 
   Rennie | Jun 21, 2006 09:02pm | #10

   One of my favorites as well! See attached.

   PS - I do work for WEY.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

   
3. 
   Lyptus | Jun 21, 2006 10:01pm | #11

   Very nice work! I like your style. - Lyptus

2. 
   myhomereno | Jun 22, 2006 06:23am | #13

   3 month ago I bought the 513x, I love it. I'm cutting 10-12" maple with it and doesn't slow down. Out of the crate came a very good saw. It needed only some minor assembly and adjusting. The big table is nice, the large resaw fence comes in handy.
   I picked it up at the store in Bellingham and was very impressed with the sales people and the guy at the loading dock. They were very helpful and knowledgeable.

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 23, 2006 12:12am | #15

   table compared to the G0513. It sells for $100.00 more than the regular model but is still $100.00 cheaper than the Rikon. Are cast iron wheels and slightly larger table worth the $100.00 expense?I have no idea! My wife was a 33B and her girlfriendss were at leats a D or beter.. SHE stood OUT!

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 22, 2006 11:19pm | #14

   Can you compare it to any other BSs that you have used?OK Ya got me.. I never had a 18 inch BEFORE!There seems to be some mixed opinionsMy wife did that to me on my weddind day!

   Edited 6/22/2006 4:22 pm by WillGeorge

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 23, 2006 12:30am | #16

   There seems to besome mixed opinions on the Rikon...
   Like a Woman.. Blonds OK but a Brunette is sort of PURE SEX!

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 23, 2006 01:18am | #17

   You people's machines seem to have come with some features mine did not even have listed as options. I have the Delta 18 and it came with neither breasts nor hair .
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   Glaucon | Jun 23, 2006 05:37pm | #18

   <<"I have the Delta 18 and it came with neither breasts nor hair">>They don't mke them like they used to...(must be that off shore manufacturing).Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

6. 
   Moksha | Jun 22, 2006 01:45am | #12

   There are four large pieces of Grizzly equipment in my shop and a new 18" Rikon band saw. The Rikon arrived with the crate in excellent condition, as it was crated much better than the Grizzly tools. The quality of the machine was excellent and the re-saw capability with a 'wood slicer' blade is outstanding. The grizzly equipment in the shop is good quality and I am pleased with their products. Last Autumn I saw the Rikon at a woodworking show and was very impressed with it. It appears to me that the fit/finish quality of the Rikon is a bit better than the Grizzly equipment.
   Moksha