I put this message here because I was not sure if Knots or Tool Talk the best. But then again I was here, so…
I just received my RICON 18″ bandsaw and thought some would appreciate some pictures.
My first thought when I ordered it was….. Geeeee.. 175 bucks for on the ground delivery.. Eight days later it arrived early in the morning as the truckers had promiced. Yep, on the ground, 100 feet from my garage! Well, not ricons fault but… lets just say I’m over 63 and about 140 lbs. and that saw is about 400 pounds AND TOP HEAVY.. So I got out a four foot hunk of 2X4 pine, thought about it a bit, and lifted.. Dang thing about tipped over! Then I remember seeing that big old TOP HEAVY sticker on the box.
I went into the house for three fingers of Jack Daniels and talked to myself about gettin’ it closer to it’s home… A little braver now, I cornered it down the driveway.. A hour later I went back for more Jack… and finally got it into the garage without any crashes.
Observations:
1. GET HELP!
2. That 1 inck blade sure looks like a meat saw.
3. The machine was in pretty good shape when I unwrapped it but had some grubby hand prints on it. But then again I get dirty hands sometimes, so what the heck.
4. I can’t compare quality to any other big saw but from a old Tank Mechanics mind it seemed pretty good and could probably take a .50 caliber round without to much damage. No complaints.
5. Welding on the saw is about as good as I can do.. Not bad, but I’m not Arc welding every day!
6. Putting all the loose parts on the saw took about one hour and a half. I was in no hurry because my back hurt ALOT! Yes, all the parts were there and even had four extra washers. I forget something? By the way, that cast iron table weighs a bit. The table was flat and pretty smooth but the T slots bottoms were a bit grubby (casting sand marks?) but this should not cause any problem in operation. Just did not look first rate.
7. I changed the 220 plug that was on the motor cable to a twist lock type I had purchased in anticipation. I guess I’m just use to machines that are 220 that don’t come with a plug of any type. RICON could have stated it comes with a plug and it’s type.
8. Now how do I get the saw down off that shipping skid it is bolted to? I was thinking, I’ll go get some 4X4 oak posts and just build something around it to keep the saw stable.
NO! I am not goint to try to get it off! The saw does come with a lifting eye hook but I figure my garage roof will come down on top of me.
Pictures attached.
Edited 1/6/2005 12:02 pm ET by Will George
Replies
Too funny!
Maybe someone could help you lay it on its side to get the pallet out, then stand it back up
How do you like that saw? My local Woodcraft has one on the floor but haven't sold an yet for feedback. It looks sturdy with a lot of features and not to expensive at $1000.
Hello and congratulations. Just curious what the picture of lowerwheeladj. is of. Is that the shaft of the lower wheel? How would it adjust and why? Nice looking saw, how much for something like that if I can ask. Peter
Cost me 999.00 + 175.00 for drop to ground shipping. On truck delivery is much cheaper.
I like the saw but have not had much time to use it. I just received it and I have only used a small 12 inch bandsaw in the past.
With a hunk of ash 4X4 about three foot long I was able to resaw 1/8 inch thick slices. Cut was a bit rough but I only have the blade that came with it.
On to a better blade and a project to use it on now.
What I called the lower wheel adjuster is for the lower wheel shaft. Just what came to mind when naming the pictures. There are no adjustment procedures in the manual? that came with the saw except a brief description for adjusting the blade guides.
Edited 1/6/2005 5:36 pm ET by Will George
Will,
Great posting. I'm looking at getting one of these and am very interested in people's feedback regarding them. The pictures were helpful. I'd really appreciate your opinion of the machine after you've had some time with it.
Good luck,
Tony z
I upgraded from a delta clone with riser block to the Rikon about 6 months ago and never looked back! Throw the blade that comes on it in the trash and get a couple of Timberwolfs. I do a lot of resawing of 9 to 12" stock and use a shopmade high fence. The saw has plenty of power and with the TW blade, I cut without any drift.
BTW I picked up the saw at Woodcraft so there wasn't any shipping. I would definately buy this saw again.
Dick Dare
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