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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.

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Comment by Jason Watkins on April 12, 2013 at 8:29am

I would add that just like with cars or bikes, there are some great deals to be had in the used market on tools, especially on older stuff.

For about $75 I got a 1950's vintage Craftsman King Seeley 12" bandsaw. Another $200 or so got me new blades, thrust bearings, and tires, but I am still all in for far less than a new 14" saw. And it is bigger and built better than any of the bench top models available today.

I am now thinking of getting a second, bigger bandsaw to use for resawing, and leave the little craftsman set up for scroll-type work with the carter stabilizer.

Check craigslist in your area, and in bigger cities nearby. I recently saw a year old 14" powermatic for $700! In mint condition, the guy just had too many saws and was letting it go! I didn't have the cash or I would have snapped it up!

I guess I am taking the long way around to say this:

Buy a smaller 14" first to cut your teeth on. You may find it is all you need. And if it isn't, move up when the time is right.

Comment by Hugh Clare on April 11, 2013 at 10:12pm

Mark, 

I would recommend that you spend a lot of time researching what a band saw is capable of doing, then decide which of those features are most important to you. I don't need an 18" saw 90% of the time but I didn't want to invest money in something to find I needed more later. Many people can accomplish all of their sawing needs on a band saw. In my case, it's my secondary saw. 

I would recommend roller guides and to stay away from riser blocks (unless you like replacing saw blades). Buy what you might conceivably need (unless you're giving up on the Goldwing altogether). I've found the product reviews in Wood magazine to be spot on and I've ended up with their top choice on many of my equipment purchases.

Comment by Mark Felton on April 11, 2013 at 3:37pm

Thanks guys. That info is very helpful. I was actually close to buying a similar saw (I actually had it in my cart on the website) and I decided to look at the online manual and discovered the electrical requirements so I decided to hold off. I have an electrician coming out tomorrow to give me an estimate on a sub-panel in the garage to support this and other tools. I should have been a little clearer...I'm not concerned about the monthly electrical bill...I'm concerned about the bill for the electrician to put in the sub-panel.

I am curious what other band saws you considered before buying this one and what were the factors that ultimately made you choose this one. I am a beginning woodworker (I just finished my first project last weekend) and I am looking to outfit my shop. I've been saving for several years to buy a Honda Goldwing but have decided to put that dream on hold so I can get some serious tools to do some serious woodworking. I look forward to being a part of this forum to learn from more experienced woodworkers.

Thanks in advance for the guidance!

Comment by Hugh Clare on April 11, 2013 at 1:39pm

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.

Comment by justin waldron on April 11, 2013 at 1:37pm

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.

Comment by Mark Felton on April 11, 2013 at 11:48am

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 

Comment by justin waldron on March 20, 2013 at 6:57am

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.

Comment by Jason Watkins on March 19, 2013 at 7:38pm

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!

Comment by Jason Watkins on March 14, 2013 at 2:05am
Nice saw! Also check out the mag fence from carter and the kreg fence.
Comment by justin waldron on March 9, 2013 at 6:45am

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!

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