I’m considering an 18″ bandsaw and looking hard at the Rikon 18″. FW gave it a good review in an issue last year and it held it’s own against the Laguna, which if I recall, is about double the price.
Anybody have first-hand experience w/ either the Laguna (16HD or 18″ models) or the 18″ Rikon? I’m interested in anything – good or bad – that anyone has to offer. Want to gather as much info as I can before taking the plunge.
Thanks!
Tony
Replies
I bought the Rikon based on the FWW review. I had trouble at first; blades would tighten enough. I talked to a Rikon guy and he sent me a new part - the one at that the top wheel fastens to. I put that on and it is now OK. Actually the original part was OK I subsequently found out. There is an adjustment set screw for the tensioning part and it was set too low. The Rikon guy told me that bandsaw blades vary in length by as much as 1/8 and even 1/4 depending on who you but them from. Because of this the set screw may have to be adjusted. He said they would put this in new additions of their instruction book. I also had a problem with a clicking noise; it turned out that one of my blades had a bad weld.
That being said, the saw is working well for me. I have used it to saw curves in some 2 inch and 4 inch stock, and it performed well. I have not used it for resawing yet, except for a couple of practice cuts. I think it will do well.
Bruce
Tony, this exact thread is on the Knots forum. That may help you find the information you are looking for. Buy the Laguna.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled