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Ridgid Bandsaw- The Good , The Bad, The Ugly

4K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  cutworm 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've been looking for a second, smaller bandsaw so I can leave the big Grizz set up to resaw. A good friend has a Ridgid that he will practically give me but I have heard nothing good about this saw.

Anyone with personal experience with this saw? I need information: Good, Bad, or Ugly. I'll probably leave it set up with a 1/4" blade and a Carter Stabilizer for cutting curves.

Thanks.
 
#3 ·
I got a grey Rigid last fall for $250, but the prior owner had new urethane tires put on and balanced, plus it came with Kreg fence. After checking it over and resetting things when I got it home it cut fine. I was surprised at how quiet it ran actually. There are a lot of poor ratings of the saw online, but my experience has been good. After a couple months I got a riser from Grizzly and Woodslicer blade for resawing. Worked out great, just not too fast with over 8".

Not sure if it would be adequate for a full time cabinet shop, but it is fine for me.

I have 10" Rikon clone with the Carter stabilizer. It really is good with smaller blades. Darn clone has rubber tires and in the past year it seems they have gotten hard.

Steve.
 
#4 ·
FWIW, the BS1400 is michael fortune's "go to" band saw, even though he has machines costing considerably more. they usually need wheel balancing, tool stand stiffening and a link belt to get them functioning properly. if it's gray colored unit, it carries a lifetime guaranty for manufacturing defects regardless of who owns the saw.
 
#6 ·
up until i joined LJ's
in all the places i worked
and all the tools i could afford to buy myself

i never knew there were so many different problems in woodworking

some tools are better than others for sure
(usually the real expensive ones but not always)

turn them on and learn what they do good or bad
work with them with all their quirks
fix if possible adapt if not

remember to stop look and listen
it might be a train
or it might be a table saw that sounds like a washing machine
or a band saw that wobbles when it cuts
i still have a bench top that the blade moves sideways 1/16" when it starts
(never can remember which way)
all the tools got me to here regardless
most still work ok for what they are

for the price of that saw 'almost nothing'
if it 'almost works' you will probably figure it out quick

and be happy you didn't buy the the one with the racing stripe
(which you can always do later if it is necessary)

don't let the tools get in your way
learn to work around them
 
#7 ·
Thanks so far guys. The reviews on Hd's site cited a cast iron part breaking commonly. (and there is no replacement available from Ridgid). That would really pi$$ me off! Maybe if it hasn't broken yet, it is one of the good ones? Severe vibration was another recurring complaint. Not much of a tool mechanic so still undecided.
 
#8 ·
I have a Rigid BS1400, and I've got the Grizzly riser on it. I've resawed on it, cut tight curves, and it has done great. The only problem I had with it was after about 3 years I had to replace the block where the upper wheel balance adjustment knob goes into. I got the replacement from grizzly for $18 and it fit perfectly.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
gfadvm....Good to have a friend that would practically give you a Ridgid bandsaw…But if you decline his generosity and if your happy with the bigger Grizzly you have….then you may want to look at the Grizzly 14"......the 30th aniversary version of the G0555LX is on sale….The 555 series/family of bandsaws rate good among owners….I have the G0555P and have no complaints…..

http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-Deluxe-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0555LANV
 
#10 ·
Andy, I would take it if I were you. If it vibrates, that can be investigated and most the time fixed by balancing the wheels. Use it for your curved cuts and your current one for resawing. 'Almost nothing' would go a long ways before I passed it on to someone else.
 
#11 ·
Rance- I may be contacting you if it vibrates as I have no clue how to balance the wheels.

kdc68- I love my Grizz but a new saw is NOT in the budget!

interpim- Good to know that parts may interchange with Grizz as Ridgid parts are no longer available according to others.

Thanks all
 
#14 ·
As far as Rigid brand is concerned, Andy, I won't take it if you paid me. Reason 1: I have a Rigid table saw that won't keep its settings past the 2nd cut, no matter what tunings I do with it. REason 2: I have a Rigid palm sander that I can't get parts for. Reason 3: I have not yet found anyone with good things to say about Rigid. Reason 4: It is exclusively sold through ******************** Depot which supports perversion (Ya, I know it has nothing to do with wood working) and same sex marriage; and I am opposed to them using the profits from my purchases to enhance such non-family activities. For that reason, I no longer buy anything from them or Amazon. You won't be doing woodworking for long if you catch something that won't wash off at ******************** Depot! . . . bet I get hate mail for this, but I don't care. IMHO!
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Andy i have a one and its ok for the price , i want to get a better one one day until then it works did add a table to it and a fence ,and it dose have a drift to it as all do but like David said i know its quirks and work with it
Musical instrument Wood Desk Table Lamp


@ Tim heres a fence thats works great

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/64803
 

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#17 ·
There are lots of reports of excessive vibration that often need to be addressed (wheels, belts,etc), and the motor isn't overly powerful, but it can be made to be a respectable tool.
 
#18 ·
Yes, once you address the vibration issues, then it's a workable saw, especially if you're not using it for resawing. I will say that I've had to replace a few parts on the machine because they were built out of crappy pot metal.
 
#19 ·
I traded my jet dust collector and $50 for a "like" new rigid BS14000. The only things I have done to it are; tuned it up via the set-up instructions, purchased a complete set of "cool blocks" and a new set of blades. I connect my shop vac to the dust port when I use it, flip the switch and it cuts great for me. I build alot of adirondack chairs and other outdoor furniture and use the saw to cut the arms as well as the angle on the back supports. I'm sure there are better saws that would do the tasks (and many others) much better but I couldn't have them in my shop for $200. The rest of the Rigid tools that I own were purchased new and I have the lifetime warranty on them. The only trouble that I had was with a sander - I wore out the pad, took it to HD and they replaced the pad for $0 and I was back to work.
Unless the saw has been totally abused, I would buy your friend lunch and take that saw in a heartbeat!
 
#20 ·
Thanks guys. I have had very good luck with my Ridgid air nailers, shop vaccs, and planer so I think I'll see if I can get this saw "on trial" and see how it performs. Worst case, I'll be out a new blade cost and some fiddling time.

Thanks again for all the useful comments.
 
#21 ·
The rest of the Rigid tools that I own were purchased new and I have the lifetime warranty on them.

newly purchased ridgid stationary and hand held power tools DO NOT carry a lifetime warranty. they are eligible for ridgid's lifetime service agreement:

http://www.ridgid.com/tools/power-tool-warranty

Reason 3: I have not yet found anyone with good things to say about Rigid.

you have now! several ridgid stationary power tools as well as numerous hand held power tools that have performed well for years. one son uses them in his plumbing job and is thankful for the LSA which has kept his tool replacement expenses to $0. additionally, i have never been disappointed in ridgid's response to any of my requests for replacement parts that have broken on any of the ridgid power tools i own.

the 1400 is probably regarded as the weakest of ridgid's stationary power tool offerings. as noted previously, michael fortune, of fine woodworking magazine, uses a 1400 as his "go to" band saw, even though he has several other pricier machines. the 1400 isn't perfect, but for the right price and a bit of effort, it can be made quite serviceable.
 
#25 ·
I bought a new Ridgid BS about 2 years ago. Out of the box it absolutely sucked. The vibration was horrific. I had to balance the wheels, reinforce the stand, beef-up the motor mount, and a handful of other modifications. Once done, the machine is acceptable…....but nothing more.

With a few tweaks and a good blade, its a decent machine for curved cuts. However, its near useless for ripping or resawing. I don't resaw much and I use my tablesaw for ripping. That said, the ridgid compliments my shop fairly well. But if I needed a bandsaw for ripping or resawing, I would have gotten rid of the ridgid a long time ago.

If you can get the machine for cheap, it might be a good machine to work alongside your other bandsaw since I assume you's use that one for ripping/resawing.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have one. The only ugly is vibration. It's a shame that they didn't spend 5 bucks and balance the wheels during the assembly process. I did a static balance on mine and it's not perfect but acceptable. Took of the blade and belt. The heavy spot drifts to the bottom. Taped on nuts opposite the heavy spot. Once I got it where the wheel would not drift I epoxied the weights in place.

Hear is a link where they tricked out a BS 1400.
http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/bandsawing-scrollsawing-tips-tricks/amp-up-you-bandsaw/?sssdmh=dm17.570199&esrc=nwwood122911&email=1618182306
 
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