A Review of My new Rikon Bandsaw.

how exciting
your photo series reminded me of when Rick and I had to get our bandsaw down into the basement—no cart … and then when we finally got it all set up we saw that it required the higher amp service and we couldn’t use it until we got the electrician in.. argh.

So, Dick .. what have you made with it?

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Deb,
Like I said, I haven’t used it much yet, but I used it while making my Thorsen table.
I also re-sawed a bunch of Brazilian Cherry flooring.
It sitting there, & waiting for me though. :)

-- -** 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

Hi Dick;

Keep us posted on the saw, when your able to use it.

Good luck with it.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Very nice bandsaw Dick.
I am certian you will really enjoy it.
It seems to have most of the features I got with my new saw.
Man, what a difference vs the old Delta “knockoff”

Guess who got to use it first? <g>

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Thanks Dick. I have my eye on this one too.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

While it’s my 1st bandsaw and I don’t have anything to compare it too I’m a little disappointed in my Grizzly G0555. I’ve had problems getting the guides to align properly when switching blades and I don’t see how it can be adjusted any further. I’ll have to take some photos. I installed an 1/8” blade and the guides just simply can’t be aligned properly.

I stuggled 1st with tensioning and blade alignment when I installed the 6” riser block and installed the 3/4” resaw blade. I finally got that solved with lots of head scratching and poor directions. But the problem with the 1/8” blades I don’t think can be solved with these guides.

I hope most of this is simply my inexperience with a bandsaw and not the saw itself. I may end up looking for a cheap benchtop on craigslist to just keep an 1/8” blade in if the problem persists.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Nice saw Dick – what is that white stuff on the ground? We rarely see any of that here in Southeast Louisiana – but we do see our share of water!!!!. Hope you enjoy your saw.

Bob, I have the Grizzly G0555 saw too and absolutely love it. I haven’t tried the 1/8” blade though – have you called Grizzly’s Tech Support? I’ve had pretty good success with them. I also have not added the riser block yet – but it’s on my list of things to do. I assume it’s not an easy job?

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Bob, the narrowest blade I use is 1/4”, I’ve had no problems with this size, most of my cutting on the GO555 is resawing 8 1/2” wide stock. Must say after many years useing a 12” Craftsmen the GO555 is just great.
Bill, adding the riser block is quiet easy, just have a strong friend to help steady things until the mounting bolts are tightened.

-- Bob Morris, Ohio, http://www.bmcustomguitars.com

Fww, has an article, The new Breed of Bandsaws

It gives a fairly good explanation on saws in this category.

The Rikon has dropped in rating by them, it was rated first this spring, but I’m still glad I bought 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 am finding that many of the so called comparison tests appearing in these magazines are fairly subjective rather than objective.

By that I mean, that unless the products being tested are all identical in power and it’s distribution to the cutters there is bound to be numeric differences that could be attributed to performance.

If a BS is cutting at say 1000 feet per minute with 1 hp at 1:1 ratio it will not seem to be as efficient as a different saw cutting at 1200 ft per minute with the same specs and 1:1.2 ratio
Even if they use the same blade.
The other thing that rankles me is when they limit the tests to primarily the advertisers in their magazines and then choose the best from the select group.

Not long ago, FWW did a piece on large format lathes and did not even mention One way lathes which are considered by many to be the “Cadillac” of the breed.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

I actually installed the riser block by myself with the help of a couple of pipe clamps to steady things. That part was easy. I had some problems (probably more me than the bandsaw) with adjusting the tension after, finally fixed that. I had gone from a 3/8” blade to a 3/4” blade during the switch and the guides adjusted fine. The biggest problem is the 1/8” just can’t be guided properly. I haven’t called tech support yet but I will.

I hear you Bob…sometimes you have to wonder about the tests.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

when I spoke with Robin Lee, he too was concerned with the “testings” and ratings. If you test only one tool, then you are not testing the tool in general, but that particular tool. You might have a really good one or you might have a really poor one; it may not be representative of all of the tools. A true test tries several.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Thanks for the additional commentary Dick. I almost bought this model but ended up with a similarly designed 16” Jet (I got a good deal). I lack a blade tracking window in the cabinet of mine and I do have a regret there. I’m considering a little action with my dremel tool to make my own. LOL

I share the sentiments others expressed about the reviews. In my research, I tried to read as many different articles and reviews as I could, both older and more recent. I distilled the info the best I could. I still was unsure. It can be a tough thing avoiding buyer’s remorse…

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Hi Jeff,
I remember seeing that nice new Jet in your workshop. I looks like all steel framework similar to my Rikon.
I think jet makes good quality tools.

-- -** 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

You’re right Dick, the latest rating had it in the middle of the pack. 2 other publications ranked it first in performace and value. The reason for the drop according to the article was that the guides are difficult to tweak. This is true and untrue. Yes, they take more time than saws without bearing guides. However, the time is negated by better performance vs. nonbearing models. I don’t change blades too much, so it might be a hassle if you had to change blades a bunch.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

I’m with you about adjusting guide clearance, Jeff. It sounds like they couldn’t find anything really wrong with it, so they chose this.
I do have a question on the amount of bearing to blade clearance. Don’t you think 1/32” is quite a bit?

That’s my feeling, I’ve been thinking of calling Rikon about this.

-- -** 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

1/32” seems like a bit much -

1/128” to 1/64” would seem more appropriate, and it sounds like that’s more along the lines of your thinking too.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

It always amazes me how OSHA makes them put a baffle that defeats the purpose of the port to begin with and you had to tell their engineers how to fix it. That’s the kind of stuff that worries me when buying equipment. LOL I like that saw, too. Thanks for telling me that it takes a 30amp circuit to run it. Most of mine are 15 amp except for the 220 volt service and one 110 volt that I put in for a future window unit.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Here is what the instructions say for adjusting guide bearings :

Set both bearing guides to within 1/32” of the
saw blade by releasing the guide adjusting screws
(B-Fig.12) on each side of the saw blade, then by
turning the micro-adjusting knobs(C-Fig.12). Do
not set the bearing guides too close as this will
adversely affect the life of the saw blade.

I believe that this is too much clearance. You would think your cuts would wonder, with that much clearance.
My only experience with bearing clearance on band saws was a metal cutting saw. They recommended zero clearance, just enough so when the saw was running you could stop the bearing with a light touch of your finger. I never noticed any undo wear on the blades.

-- -** 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’m no expert about the clearance issue. I’ve watched two podcasts that have basically said the same thing. The WoodSmith guys put a piece of paper between the blade and guide and they close the gap until the bearing just barely holds the paper to the blade. I’ve also seen (WW – Marc – I believe) use a dollar bill folded in thirds. The same procedure as above was used.

The rear guides are a lot easier. If the blade is tensioned right, they really don’t due much unless a lot of force is applied. Perhaps a tough resaw would push the blade into the bearing??

Then again, if you don’t mind buying blades every so often, let the bearings barely touch. It would guide the cut better, but I’m told it will shorten the blade’s life.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Hey Bob B.
I was doing some reseach on blade clearance, & found this. A guide for small sized blades.
By Carter Products, that’s if a person wants to spend a little.

Jeff, I’m still mulling around about what blade clearance I should use.

-- -** 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

Dick
I could see your quandry – Do I call a friend to help or keep the joy to myself?

Re small blade – Carter has a guide for small blades that just uses one wheel that rides against the back of the blade. It would be virtually impossible to get the side guides to hold a 1/8th inch blade. I’ve seen it at every woodworking show I’ve been to. (By golly, I went back and looked at your link and that’s just the one I was commenting on.)

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

Xavier,
I hardly ever use a small blade, but I thought this would be a good thing to show for those who do.

-- -** 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 think I’m just going to get a scroll saw for fine work. The guide costs almost as much.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Bob, I agree.
That’s why I don’t use thin blades, because I use the scroll saw. 1/8” blades don’t last very long.

-- -** 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

Hi, Dick. I’m pretty happy with the Jet. It did a great job out of the box although I could do a little adjusting yet. I need to take the time to do it. As for the blade adjustment, I’ve heard “the width of a business card” can be used. I don’t know what width blade that applies to though.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

When I was making toys and puzzles, I used a 1/16” blade. It was about 32 teeth to the inch, because any less teeth and you wouldn’t have much (if any) blade left. I set up the blade guides to where it was just back of the teeth.

I only got about 1 hr blade life before they shattered into many pieces. The blades were metal cutting blades and were tempered, so the blade fatigue between bending and straightening made them crack into lots of pieces.

I welded them up myself. I got the blades in 100’ coils and made many blades.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

I’ve decided I’m going to use the clearance that Carter Guides uses.

They recommend the thickness of a piece of paper.

The same as I always used on the guide blocks on my old saw.

I believe 1/32” is to much.

-- -** 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

On my old Delta Rockwell Milwaukie we just set them against the blade and back off til it turns free so about the thickness of a piece of paper.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Hey Dick ~
Can I have your permission to post this review on Toologics.com?
Your photos are fantastic!
jude

-- life can always be weaved into a song.

A little math for fun:

standard paper/dollar bill is approx. .004” or 1/256”

doubled, at .008”, you’re at 1/128”

folded four times: .016” or 1/64”

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Thank you Dorje!! Good things to know.

-- -** 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 think the Rikon sounds like a great saw… I ended up with the delta because I could get a 17 inch saw that was supposedly a refurb…. (it was brand new) for $750. I had considered a 14 inch powermatic or this Rikon before I found the deal on the 17…

Drew

-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Take a look at Bob's Sawmill sled, it looks pretty good

-- -** 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

Whats your re-saw capacity Dick? mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Hi Mike, it’s nice hearing from you.
My saw cuts 13 inches, that’s why I bought it. 14inches was plenty for inside because I hardly ever cut that wide inside the post.

Here’s Rikon, you can look up specs. on it.

-- -** 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

Wow, thats very nice, gives you lots of room. Yea, been on vacation up north. Was going to my brothers place at Houghton Lake then go to Frankfort for salmon, but had a bit of the old bit of the slip and fall out of the boat getting ready and got 27 stitches in my right shin, bone deep, 2 layers of stiches. Kinda put an end to things. First day at my brothers place. Then fell when I got home into the wood pile gotta get xrays for that. I see you did’nt wheather the storm well yourself. But thanks good to be back with friends where its semi safe. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Sorry about your accidents, It seems like it takes forever to heal a cut on the shin. I guess there’s not much circulation there. Watch out for infection.
I guess you better stick to your shop, it’s much safer there.

-- -** 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

Hi Lumberjocks, Jude just posted this thread on Toologics.com, & she gave Lumberjocks a plug.

-- -** 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 recently completely removed the baffle on the dust port, I chiseled it out.
The efficiency of the suction has greatly increased. I am now satisfied. There is no sawdust pile down in the wheel compartment anymore.

-- -** 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

My old AMT bandsaw is limping along. After reading this blog many times, I’m thinking Rikon is what I’ll eventally get to replace it.

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

Dan, I still stand by my old review of the Rikon. I haven’t had a job that I wish had somethng different. Ive resawn 5” cocobolo with no problems. That’s probaly the toughest test so far as cocobolo is abnormally dense. I’ve resawn 11” walnut into veneer. The only drawback for me is blade changes. The guides are time consuming to adjust, but work great once set.

-- Jeff, South Carolina