Rikon 10-345 18" bandsaw

[justin waldron]

I ordered this 18" Rikon through Highland Woodworking about 3 weeks ago.  Highland had it on sale for $999, shipping was $125 and I ordered a mobile base at the same time, so all in all $1200 delivered to my door.  I will start with the only 2 low points that I have and granted I have only used it a few times playing more than anything.  1. the fence is not tall enough by any means for resawing (has capability of 12 inch resaw) and there is no way to attach a fixture to it as you can with most fences.  2. The blade that came with it.  I know we all throw them away anyway, I was just trying to find something bad to say about this saw, but I can't really.  The saw is 220v with a 2.5 hp motor, I have done some resawing of Cherry at about 8" tall and comfortably cut veneers at 3/16'.  I know folks have cut veneers much thinner than that, but I need to make a fence.  I did order an aftermarket woodslicer blade through Highland.  At no time did it bog down at all during anything I have done to it.  The dust collection works great!  There are 2 ports, both 4", one towards the base of the saw and the other right at the bottom wheel.  It took me longer to get the mobile base together than it did this saw.  Everything was put together except for the table and fence, which took no time and I did it by myself.  The hardest part was walking it onto the mobile base, since it weighs in at almost 400 lbs, also at 6'3" inches tall, it's massive.

The biggest mistake I have ever made with machine purchases is not buying enough of a tool the first time, hence why I have owned 4 table saws already.  I looked at the jet, Powermatic etc. all in the same price range, but at 1 HP and to get 12 resaw capability you need a riser block.  I wanted something that I didn't have to do anything to and would have plenty of power should I ever need it.  I have never cut veneers, but in cabinetry I do need a bandsaw at times for cutting corbels etc.  Now that I can cut veneers or even just resaw lumber it opens up things that I can do.  Overall this saw is great and I can't be more pleased.  I will post some photos in the next few weeks of veneers etc.

[ray vile]

Justin, congrats on your new saw, I'm about to purchase a new band saw myself but I can't get a machine like that down in my basement.I'll probably get the 14'' delta saw that lowes sells. My house is over a hundred years old and my circut box is full I don't have room for another 240 line. I read some good things about that saw when combined with a kreg fence. Also rockler sells a riser for it if I ever think about resawing something over 6''

 

[justin waldron]

Thanks Ray!  Fortunately me for I have my 2 car garage to work out of, but it wasn't even easy to get it into there to be honest!  I have heard awesome things about the Delta bandsaws too and a bunch of people love them!  I was kind of tight on space in my homes electric panel too, so I added a subpanel to run everything in the shop.  It's also nice to be able to kill the main on the shop when I leave.

[Hugh Clare]

I've had the same saw for about a year. I find myself using it more than my table saw. I'm not a band saw expert, but from what I've seen, the taller fence isn't that much benefit. You can build your own fence to clamp on when needed. You'll have better control for blade drift compensation. I was apprehensive about cutting veneers, but with the addition of a thin-rip jig, I'm cutting thinner than the saw kerf comfortably. Humorous side note: Although I bought the saw for its resaw capacity, I spend most of my time recently turning pens. I feel silly cutting pen blanks with such a large saw.

[justin waldron]

My plan was to build a taller fence for resawing in the future.  That's the only downside of that beast, that's for sure.  Like you said with the pens, the only thing I have really used it for so far is to cut out the panels on base cabinets for the toekicks!  The power is there when we need it though!

[Jason Watkins]

Nice saw! Also check out the mag fence from carter and the kreg fence.

[Jason Watkins]

I played with one of these at the woodworking show in Tampa this past weekend. Very solid machine! I like the fact that you don't need a riser block to get full resaw capacity. I would recommend the carter guides if you don't already have them, you can see a demo here. I've got a stabilizer on order for my old craftsman bandsaw.

Here is a simple bandsaw table/fence you can make

Enjoy your new saw!

[justin waldron]

Thanks Jason, I will surely look into that.  The Carter guides are nice and I have already been looking at the mag fence, I'm pretty sure that's the way I'm going to go.

[Mark Felton]

Justin, Does it have a "non-standard" plug? I'm planning to purchase a band saw and have looked at this one as well but I was concerned that I might incur a nice electrical bill to support it. Any input you can provide will be appreciated! Mark 

[justin waldron]

Hey Mark, the saw is 220v, that's why the electrical plug looks different than a standard 110v plug.  You would have to have a 220v outlet in order to power the saw.  As far as electrical usage (I'm no electrician and won't bore you),  but it draws 15 amps at 220v or 30 amps if it could be used on 110.  A skillsaw will get you at around 15 amps on 110v to give you an idea, but you also have to look at the use of the power, at 220v the load is constant whereas on 110v your machine could draw more power cutting material etc.  I have all of my machines now on 220v, table saw, planer, shaper, dust collector, bandsaw, jointer and my electric bill hasn't changed.  The power is used more efficiently and the motor doesn't get the same demand.  You also have to think about too, that this is probably not going to be a tool you run for 8 hours straight either.  Hope this helps.

[Hugh Clare]

Mark, 

It sports a standard NEMA 250V/20A plug (spades are horizontal instead of vertical. I built an adapter for mine to plug into a 30A twist outlet.