Fixed that shaky Ridgid band saw

Thanks for the advice Brian! I am in the market for a bandsaw and this one keeps popping up on the radar due to its affordability… Congrats on getting it tuned up.

-- Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)

A couple questions:
Any pics of the motor mount idea you used?

Is the top of the base solid wood or double layered plywood?

Do you have a extension kit on the saw, if so what did you use?

Really like your set up, I really dislike the mobile base on mine and would like to replace the thing.

Wow , you made a Silk Purse from a Sow’s Ear !! LOL …...Did you also fabricate the belt guard ? I like your “dog house” .

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Spencer, I wouldn’t buy this one again. If you can get a used one really cheap, and are willing to spend some time and money… maybe. Some of the older ones seem to be OK.

For the price of a new one, you are already so close to Grizzly, I would do that.

Hope this helps.

-- Brian

NorthGaMan, I tried to get some pictures from underneath but they ended up just being closeups of the motor. I can’t get the camera far enough away.

The top is 2 layers of 3/4 birch plywood. The motor is just mounted directly under the top with long bolts. I didn’t use any rubber gaskets or anything they seemed to make it much worse.

I initially tried to make a hinge contraption where the motor would hang like on the back of a contractor saw, but that was also worse.

The tension is controlled by shortening the link belt.

I’ve never tried an extension block. With the weaker 3/4 HP motor, I doubt it would do well. Although, the motor does seem 10x more powerful once I got the vibration out. It’s almost scary how much faster it cuts. (Is this piece of oak hollow or something?)

I can work on some more pictures if you need it.

-- Brian

Thanks Dusty. That’s the original Ridgid Guard. I will probably fabricate one at some point, since this one hangs off the back a bit.

-- Brian

Not to contradict any thing that you have experienced, Brian, but I have this saw, bought new, and haven’t had any of the problems you have experienced. I will say that If I replaced it I would be looking for something more suitable for resawing.

-- RTB. stray animals are just looking for love

Thanks for the reply. I have added this one to my favorites. I have a few projects to finish up from Christmas still left. After that I see your bandsaw update on my list of things to do.

Rtb, I hate to be so hard on this tool, because all my other Ridgid stuff is so good. Some people buy it and have no problems, and the support/warranty has been great.

I bought mine used, knowing it might have problems because of what I had read on the Ridgid woodworking forum. I thought it would be easy to fix, but it was much more difficult than I thought.

-- Brian

bsherman & anyone else with a Ridgid band saw, did the table top that came with your saw have an additional metal brace (drilled to for motor mount and saw frame) on the underside? Below is a picture of mine, bought in July 2010.
Thank You

Yes. Mine did.

-- Brian