BAM! Another Craigslist deal finds it's way into my lap…hopefully. It's my birthday tomorrow (ha!) and that makes it even sweeter! I was going to have the wife buy me the small Rikon tabletop bandsaw and matching stand…from Highland it was a little over $300 with shipping. Then today I see this Craigslist add and I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on either band saw and what you guys think. I would personally rather have the gigger saw..and this one even though it looks a little older, is a pretty solid saw that they still make today. How long ago was Jet painting their stuff blue?.......so…let me hear ya!
OK..so I went to go check this thing out this morning. I met the guy and I looked at it and it looked great. Really good condition. He ran it a few times and was playing with the tension and the tracking angle and I thought it sounded a little noisy but i figured the blade tension wasnt tight enough. He had three blades with it total and he also had the manuel. It was manufactured in 4/1996. I was able to get the saw for $250.00 Here are some pics of it in a temporary home in my shop..
So I get it home and start messing with it..aligning the bearings and blocks (buying a set of cool blocks for it right away). I couldn't help but think how noisy it was. I started to investigate and I noticed that it felt like the upper wheel was hitting something. I jumped online and did a few searches and what do I find..a Lumberjocks blog about this exact problem! The minute I read this I went and looked..sure enough the bracket is fully bent like a C, and it has a worn spot from where it had been rubbing against the wheel. I was able to get the blade to track perfect, but the tracking adjustment screw is fully extended. Here are some shots..
You can see how unbelievably distorted that piece is. Its a good thing that the metal is so ********************ty, it didn't to any damage to the wheel. I guess this is a pretty common problem with these saws. Good thing I found that blog. I already went online and ordered the updated replacement part. I hope it's not too big of a deal to take it apart….doesn't look too bad in the diagram. I was starting to wonder if I shouldn't have just got the Rikon. I still think this is a really great saw in great condition. This is a known defect and doesn't really reflect the overall condition of the saw, nor is it any indication that the saw has been abused or over used. It is just an inferior part that couldnt stand up to the intended normal usage. Once i get the part and get it in I think this will be a great saw. I am thinking while I have it apart I might wet sand the table starting with some 800 grit and work my way through 5000. The thrust bearing still seem in great shape but the plastic blocks upper and lower are shot..so i am going to but a set of Cool Blocks for it. I ordered the replacement part today..its in TN, and I'm in CT..so I should see it by the later part of the week….
OK..so I went to go check this thing out this morning. I met the guy and I looked at it and it looked great. Really good condition. He ran it a few times and was playing with the tension and the tracking angle and I thought it sounded a little noisy but i figured the blade tension wasnt tight enough. He had three blades with it total and he also had the manuel. It was manufactured in 4/1996. I was able to get the saw for $250.00 Here are some pics of it in a temporary home in my shop..
So I get it home and start messing with it..aligning the bearings and blocks (buying a set of cool blocks for it right away). I couldn't help but think how noisy it was. I started to investigate and I noticed that it felt like the upper wheel was hitting something. I jumped online and did a few searches and what do I find..a Lumberjocks blog about this exact problem! The minute I read this I went and looked..sure enough the bracket is fully bent like a C, and it has a worn spot from where it had been rubbing against the wheel. I was able to get the blade to track perfect, but the tracking adjustment screw is fully extended. Here are some shots..
You can see how unbelievably distorted that piece is. Its a good thing that the metal is so ********************ty, it didn't to any damage to the wheel. I guess this is a pretty common problem with these saws. Good thing I found that blog. I already went online and ordered the updated replacement part. I hope it's not too big of a deal to take it apart….doesn't look too bad in the diagram. I was starting to wonder if I shouldn't have just got the Rikon. I still think this is a really great saw in great condition. This is a known defect and doesn't really reflect the overall condition of the saw, nor is it any indication that the saw has been abused or over used. It is just an inferior part that couldnt stand up to the intended normal usage. Once i get the part and get it in I think this will be a great saw. I am thinking while I have it apart I might wet sand the table starting with some 800 grit and work my way through 5000. The thrust bearing still seem in great shape but the plastic blocks upper and lower are shot..so i am going to but a set of Cool Blocks for it. I ordered the replacement part today..its in TN, and I'm in CT..so I should see it by the later part of the week….