I have interest in the Rikoan 10-353 14" Professional band saw, but I cannot find any reviews online.
Why are there so few reviews on this saw?
Do you have one? Do you like it? Should you have bought it and, if not, what would you buy knowing what you know? Feel free to contact me here publicly or privately.
I am close to ordering one from Highland Woodworking. I like the factory specs with the possible exception of table height. That is a personal preference based on one's own height and type of work done. A major new woodworking magazine reviews of current bandsaws on the market would be useful.
Marvin Lee,
The table height is the one thing I noted also. If you purchase it, it would be great to hear your thoughts. I would like to see a full length video of unboxing, assembly and use.
WhyMe
The 10-353 is a newer release, but not new, I have been looking at it for at least a year. I just figure there would be more reviews, not only from Lumberjocks but around the web.
If I find something else, I'll do my best to place it in this thread.
I had a brand new 18" Rikon and in my opinion it wasn't even close to being a well built machine. The customer service is great, but the machinery is very cheaply built. I'd look for a good used Powermatic or Delta, from the 60's . American built is getting harder to find these days.
I had a brand new 18" Rikon and in my opinion it wasn t even close to being a well built machine. The customer service is great, but the machinery is very cheaply built. I d look for a good used Powermatic or Delta, from the 60 s . American built is getting harder to find these days.
The table height on most band saws is ~42 inches, the 10-353 specs at less than 35. That's pretty low if you are doing curves and detail work, IMHO, but is probably works well for resawing.
I agree with Toolie. I have the 18" and couldn't be happier. Cuts accurately and smooth. A well set machine and a good quality blade makes all the difference.
Since I typed that question, I checked the subject Rikon 10-353, and some 14" competitors:
~ The Jet JWBS-14DXPRO has table height of 43-1/2"
~ The Laguna 14BX has table height of 38"
~ The Rikon 10-326 is listed at 40-1/2"
~ The Rikon 10-353 shows 34-5/8"
I was slow to get it. This 10-353 table is decidedly low, and thanks for the info JayT.
I really like the overall specs and details on the 10-353, but I have not ever had the chance to see one in person, so have not tried standing at the table in operating position. I am glad I found this older thread and learned something I didn't realize I should think about.
Otherwise, I am now approaching 67 years old, and I remain the son of an classic, American machinist. But I do embrace new designs and new machines and technology, and I do not always want to go back to the good ol' days in American manufacturing.
.....
.
I am close to ordering one from Highland Woodworking. I like the factory specs with the possible exception of table height. That is a personal preference based on one s own height and type of work done. A major new woodworking magazine reviews of current bandsaws on the market would be useful.
Marvin Lee,
The table height is the one thing I noted also. If you purchase it, it would be great to hear your thoughts. I would like to see a full length video of unboxing, assembly and use.
WhyMe
The 10-353 is a newer release, but not new, I have been looking at it for at least a year. I just figure there would be more reviews, not only from Lumberjocks but around the web.
If I find something else, I ll do my best to place it in this thread.
I have the Rikon 10-353 band saw. Table height preferences vary. I would like mine to be two inches or so higher, more like the Laguna competitor. Others may prefer lower. If one slices ten or twelve inch high pieces of wood, then it is convenient to have the top of the slab low enough to facilitate easy handling and viewing. I mostly cut thinner pieces hence my preference. For reference, I am about 71 inches tall of normal arm length.
What I like and don't like about my Rikon 10-353 14 inch bandsaw.
Marvin Lee,
The table height is the one thing I noted also. If you purchase it, it would be great to hear your thoughts. I would like to see a full length video of unboxing, assembly and use.
WhyMe
The 10-353 is a newer release, but not new, I have been looking at it for at least a year. I just figure there would be more reviews, not only from Lumberjocks but around the web.
If I find something else, I ll do my best to place it in this thread.
- GMuddler
I have the Rikon 10-353. Table height preferences vary. I would like it to be two inches higher, more like the Laguna competitor. Others may like lower. If one cuts high high pieces of wood, then it is nice to have the top of the slab low enough for easy handling and viewing. I mostly cut thinner pieces hence my preference. I am about 71 inches tall of normal build. I like the power (3HP). The saw runs smoothly and has ample safety features. I don't like the klutzy feel of the table tilt mechanism which completely lacks the smoothness of the elevation mechanism that raises and lowers the upper blade rollers. If I add an extension table to receive wood being sawed, then there will be almost no room between the extension table and the tilt control hand wheel. As yet, I have not found a bolt-on extension table to fit this table. If anyone knows a source your help will be appreciated. The saw has a long (144") band saw blade which I prefer over the Laguna shorter blade. Note that the saw requires a four conductor 220 volt cable feed. The fourth conductor is necessary to feed the 120 volt outlet. I paid hundreds of dollars for a licensed electrician to convert my 3 conductor 240 volt feed to a four conductor. The extra-cost roller base uses an separate long handle, different from most roller base kits. It is not my favorite design. Overall, seems a good band saw with a few quirks.
I've just measured the height of a couple of saw tables in my own shop. My ~30-yr old Sears 12" bandsaw's table height is sitting at 45", and that includes a 3-1/4" lift from the mobile base I assembled for it. The front of my Dewalt scroll saw on its OEM base is at 40". My Unisaw top is, as typical, much lower at 35".
Actually, I can see some reasons that I might like the lower height, but maybe not.
I think if I had a lower than desired bandsaw table, I would just construct a platform to raise the whole saw. Alternately, if it was too high, I would not excavate a divot in the shop floor for it to sit in.
,
Wondering if anyone had more experience with the 353. I'm trying to decide between it and the 326 or the new Grizzly GO817.
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