Replies

1. 
   Suzda | Mar 29, 2006 01:20pm | #1

   I've got the  Rikon 10-340 bandsaw and so far I'm happy with it.  But I guess by reports that I've read on the new model of 18" they screwed up the tension release.

   What do you want to know?

   Jim

    

2. 
   Hainesportwoodworker | Mar 31, 2006 03:37am | #2

   I don't own one, but I've seen them up close several times. The semi-local Woodcraft store is really pushing these machines. The original 18" bandsaw got a "best value" rating from FW - about 6 months ago they were selling for $899 which isn't a bad price at all, but for whatever reason I didn't purchase one. They have an "upgraded" version out now that sells for $1150. I went to woodcraft last weekend with the intention of purchasing one of these machines, however, after looking it over real well I decided on the new version of the 18" Jet. Here is why - the Table supports seem lacking and flimsy - the Jet has two trunion assemblies which seems much more stable, while the Rikon has one off center and seems week. The Rikon is definately easier to change the blade than the Jet, however, I'm used to a little effort for my 14" so that isn't too much of a factor for me. The Rikon frame appears to be bigger than the Jet, but I'm not sure that makes it stronger. On the Rikon frame the welds were incredibly sloppy, to the point that I think I could have welded it together better and I'm no ace. This bothered me a lot since I tend to use things like this as an indicator of the overall quality. You wonder if the guy welding this together cared so little, what about over things. The Rikon fence is a piece of garbage - it's this flimsy aluminum thing that feels like those fences you see on cheap table saws and such in Home Depot. The Jet fence is sturdy and basically a small version of the fence they use on their contractors saw, and it has a real nice substantial resaw guide attached. If the Rikon had neater welds and a better fence I probably would have bought that one, but I'm taking my chance with a 1/4hp less.

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 01, 2006 11:10pm | #3

   I had similar reaction to the Rikon jointer I saw at Woodcraft last year.  Just looked very sloppily made, crude maching in some areas.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   aew | Apr 02, 2006 09:12pm | #4

   I bought the 18 inch bandsaw late last year and in general it is okay. No problem with sloppy welds but there were several quality problems that ate up many hours to repair them. The tapped hole for the lift bolt was incorrectly drilled and tapped so it was not possible to use the lift bolt. Then the lower housing was apparently mis-drilled because the lower guides could not be adjusted correctly with the blade. I reamed the hole about 3/16" to get that corrected. Then the upper guide assembly wasn't aligned properly and while it isn't a major effort to adjust, it takes time.

   Once set up properly, the machine works fine. I think it is a case where if you can spend the time to remedy all the fit and finish problems, it performs well but it is like buying a kit and having to reassemble it. The choice is between spending time or money and although I am employed full time, I learned every bolt and nut on the machine working in the evening and on weekends.

   On the positive side, I have resawn 12" thick cherry perfectly and just resawed a piece of 6 inch rock maple (spalted) on Friday and it worked well again.

   Hope this helps.