Bandsaw Q

With carter guides and or a stabilizer, you can get even smaller blades on most saws. I have a powermatic with a riser block and can do all of it. Any of these units can do it also. Grizzly is great and laguna also has a great reputation.

-- making sawdust....

I worked at a shop that had the 18” Laguna, it is a powerhouse. Resawed 1/8” slices off a 12” wide figured hard maple board without any noticable drop in blade speed etc. Can’t vouch for how small a blade it will take.

-- http://www.efcabineture.com/ "Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want"

I have heard of the Carter stabilizer, wonder if it would work on a big saw?

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Check out my Rikon review in LJ. There are 16 other reviews on Ljs besides mine.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I’ve got the MM16 and couldn’t be happier with it but I dont typically try using it with very narrow blades. If you put a Lenox TriMaster blade on it, you’ll get resaw cuts that need extremely little sanding or planing. I know ther are folks that do it, but I dont get the sense that it’s necessarily the best choice for narrow blade work. I’ve read a number of posts from MM16 owners that kept their 14” BS for that kind of work and the MM for everything else. If I were buying again I think the choice would be between the MM and Agazzani. Laguna also looks like a good saw but I’ve just read a disproportionate number of negative customer service beefs on the WW forums that would make me nervous.

-- Use the fence Luke

I’ve got the 17” Grizzly G0513 and frequently use it with an 1/8” blade (and a 1” Woodslicer – NICE). I like my bandsaw, but don’t love it. The wheels are aluminum, not cast iron and I’ve had to replace a couple (to be fair, very cheap <$20 total) parts due to the threads in an aluminum block wore out—likely because I overtightened the screws. Also the crank wheels on mine at plastic. It’s hard to beat the price ($745) but if I had to do it again, I’d give some serious consideration to the Rikon, the G0513X2 (though still looks like plastic cranks) or some of the others out there…

Good luck…whichever you choose I’m sure you’ll enjoy the added capabilities!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com

I have a Rikon, the same as listed above in Dick Cain's review. It is a terrific saw. It will run with an 1/8” blade, but the smallest I have for it is 1/4”. I don’t notice any problems with the 1/4” size on such a large saw. I just cut out 70 small “oars” for a church craft project with the 1/4 inch blade on this Rikon, and not only was it able to cut intricatly with it, but I was able to cut 7 boards at a time with tight curves.

The Rikon 10-325 has a whopping 13 inch resaw capacity with a 1 1/2hp motor. I have recently put 12” tall, 12” wide, 2 foot long of white oak crotch thru mine to saw into planks and the motor doesn’t even slow down. It’s an awesome saw.

Everything on this machine is heavy reinforced weld, cast iron wheels. Even the adjustment handles are cast iron. The handle to tighten the blade guard is plastic, but to adjust the blade guard it cast metal. It has three sealed bearing guides for the top and bottom, fully adjustable. It stands over 6 foot tall, everything about it is heavy.

I have found that if I want to hog through large oak or hickory and turn out lumber, I can. If I want to cut tight curves in 8 or 10” material with a 1/4” blade, I can. Or, if I want to slow down and cut 1/4” material with tight curves for a pattern, it can do that great too. It’s very versatile.

I was going to choose a Grizzley until I heard less than reputable things about the saw and customer service. Laguna is the creame of the crop, but also the most expensive (so that was out for me). I read Dick Cain’s review and was hooked. I don’t have a grain of regret with this saw. I like everything about it.

Good luck.

Steve.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

I’ve got the Rikon 18” 10-345. It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it so far including resawing 12” hickory and 8 /12” red oak. It’s got a 2 1/2 hp motor and 12” resaw capacity. I got it through WoodZone when Rikon was running a sale on that saw for $999 which was a real deal. Of course immediately after the sale, they raised the price to $1399. All in all it’s a great saw from both a performance and fit and finish perspective. I’m just not sure the extra 150-200 bucks over the grizzly is worth it. I probably would have gotten the Grizzly had I not caught the Rikon on sale. JMHO.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

Here’s a piece of Maple, 9 inches wide that I re-sawed. This is before sanding.

The saw cut through it like butter, no wondering.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks
I saw a smaller model Rikon at Woodcraft and was not impressed with the quality, It looks like the larger models are better from the pics, need to find one to check out in person, I live close to Laguna and Eagle tools. A woodcraft is opening in Oct here, wonder if they will have one for display?
How does the 14”, or 18” handle small blades?

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

I haven’t tried 1/8” yet, on my 14” but 1/4” works fine.

The blade guides need to be readjusted for each size, the same as any other make of saw.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks Dick, I’m going to go see some in person,
Do any Woodcraft Stores have the saws on display?

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Hey just saw this new PM preview on http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=fw-editorsblog
I’ve got a PM TS and jointer but haven’t thought too much of their bndsaws that I’ve seen. This one looks like a different breed.

-- Use the fence Luke

I couldn’t say, because they don’t have any stores in my area. .

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I have a 15” General 490 band-saw that I use 1/8 blades on all the time…..never had any problems. Resaw on this machine is limited to about 6”or 7” without the riser blocks. I have been very happy with my machine. I don’t think you will have any problems with any of the machines you have mentioned. All get good reviews. What will make or break your success is the blade quality being used. Get a good quality blade like timber-wolf and set the machine up correctly and you will be happy…

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

I have been doing a little research lately also. Jet is introducing some new saws this week in Atlanta at the woodworkers show. My local guy is going to unload his floor models of the current model at a good discount soon. He demonstrated the 18” model. It re-sawed through quarter sawn white oak like butter. Right now it is between the Rikon and Jet for me. Now all I need is the cash.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Doug S. that PM looks nice but Way past my budget.

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL