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Old USA-made delta or new rikon 10-325 band saw?

7K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  Loren 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi, first time poster here…looks like a nice place. Love the review section.

I'm looking for a bandsaw. I don't resaw. I've narrowed it down to these two saws. An old 14" delta runs about $300 and the rikon is $825 on sale w/tax at woodcraft. The rikon is at the max of my budget. What say you?
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi Carbon
The old delta might be a good buy if it's in good order. If your going the route of buying a new Band saw the Rikon has a good deal of positive reviews. Another possibility might be a grizzly band saw.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-1-HP-Bandsaw-Polar-Bear-Series-/G0555P
It's priced about in the middle of the other two your considering @ around $500.
 
#5 ·
I have the rikon and like it. However, if you really dont want to resaw, may be a bit of overkill. I agree w/jim that a Grizzly at an in between price point may be a good option. If you decide you want to resaw more, you could add a riser to it later.
 
#6 ·
The big benefit of the Rikon is the resawing capacity, but if you are not planning on resawing than the Delta would be a major cost reduction option that would probably do all you need to do with it as long as its in good condition - wheels, guides, belts, motor, table, trunions…
 
#8 ·
Before I bought my Rikon I borrowed a friends Delta. There is no (IMHO) comparison, the Delta felt like it was struggling, and wobbling. Up until I test drove the Delta I was certain that was the BS I was going to buy. As stated above the Rikon is worth every cent.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
As popular as the cast iron 14" saw pattern is, the modern (and older)
steel-framed saws are, pound-for-pound and other factors being equal,
generally more rigid. I'm talking saws in the under-26" range. As
far as I'm concerned, the appeal of the cast iron 14" Delta-pattern saw
is its ubiquity, aftermarket options, and the availability of the riser block.

I'd buy the Delta, personally… and keep an eye out or an 18" or 20"
used steel-frame saw, which can be had for bargain prices here and there…
if you've got the space.

I've bought, used, and sold lots of machines in my years doing this stuff -
the machines come and go and the idea of buying a machine to take
to the grave seems absurd to me. Your needs and wants will change
as your skills grow. New machines depreciate severely - used machines
can often be traded in, effectively, by selling them and putting the dough
towards something more to your skills and liking.

P.S. resaw capacity is over-rated. It's far less hassle to rip boards to
a manageable width under 6" for resawing than fuss with the
maddening tolerances of resawing wider boards that usually
cup anyway and have to be ripped and joined after resawing.
 
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