I have a 14” Delta Bandsaw that I have had for 20+ years and I bought it well used back then. It’s still a good saw for doing much of the work that I do and I don’t intend to get rid of it. It suffers in the resawing capacity that I would like to have and for cutting out big turning blanks for bowls etc. I have the riser block but that involves tearing apart the saw and getting all new blades and I’d need to beef up the motor. Besides I do enough different work that having one set up to resaw and the other for detail work would suit me just fine.
I want to get an 18” saw. I have drooled over several. The Rikon sounds like a good value and I could spend more for a Powermatic or Laguna but it is hard to justify. In reading the reviews for the various saws, I hear good things and terrible things about all of them. I haven’t even considered the off brands in my opinion like Shopfox or Grizzley. I live very far away from any woodworking stores that would sell these things so checking them out there isn’t a very good option. Highland Hardware in Atlanta has the Rikon on sale for $1100 but I hear they have a lot of motor problems. Any advice to share, LJs?
-- Dr. Ken, Florida - Durch harte arbeit werden Träume wahr.
5 comments so far
Bearpie
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2474 posts in 1187 days
#1 posted 638 days ago
I wish I could help but I have the 14” delta with the riser block. Mine does ok with re-sawing but in hardwoods I have to go slow. I will have to make do with this one. I just have to get better quality blades! Good luck in your search.
-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
sandhill
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1978 posts in 2093 days
#2 posted 638 days ago
Check here, right now they do not seem to have much but its where I got my 16” Laguna Band saw for $600.00 and it has turned out to a good saw. I was lucky that it was only 10 miles from my daughter so I got in a visit as well. Bring extra cash. They almost always have other stuff to sell. While I was there I also picked up a Powermatic 6” belt with 10” disc sander and about 8 six foot clamps for an additional $200
gfadvm
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6635 posts in 859 days
#3 posted 638 days ago
I love my 17” Extreme series Grizzly. I did a LOT of research before I bought it and have never regretted the purchase. I have resawed some tough wood [Osage Orange/Hedgeapple] and it hasnt faltered yet [3 years and counting].
-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm
JuniorJoiner
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441 posts in 1609 days
#4 posted 638 days ago
not sure what your budget is, but there is no way I would spend money on a new saw. you will find much sturdier construction on an old saw, and probably a better price. I would suggest shopping around and finding an old Davis and wells, walker turner, or such . still runs off domestic power, has the resaw capacity, and looks much nicer in the shop.
better than exporting my money to whatever country the new saw was made in.
-- Junior -Quality is never an accident-it is the reward for the effort involved.
58j35bonanza
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378 posts in 861 days
#5 posted 637 days ago
I have a 17” Grizzly and love it!
-- Chuck
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