If you are in the market for a big bandsaw with serious resaw capacity, you might want to wait. Available in March or April of 2014, Rikon’s new I-18 bandsaw will boast a whopping 19-in. of capacity and a host of user-friendly features, with a price tag that comes in lower than similar models on the market.

It will have everything you’d expect in a big-time bandsaw, like a big motor, a brake, roller guides, and serious dust collection, along with a few innovations of its own. My favorite is the quick-release tension knobs. They are accessible from the front or rear of the saw, and when activated, will not let the saw restart, saving you from a scary moment and maybe a damaged blade.

We saw a prototype, without the final guide design or motor size, but this looks like one to watch for.

Jumping into the segmented cutterhead game, Rikon is set to add a true helical head to its already highly rated 12-in. planer jointer. Watch for that by the end of 2013. And once again, the price will be unmatched, $2,500 for a lifetime of big milling capacity. What I was happiest to hear is that Rikon will be replacing the European-style cutterhead guard with the pivoting U.S. pork-chop style, which is more convenient. I don’t know af another planer-jointer that checks all those boxes.

Launch Gallery