Popular Post wouldwurker Posted September 23, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I've been fretting over the purchase of a bandsaw for the past 6 months, reading every review, forum discussion, magazine article, etc. For $800 I could get X, but for $1450 I could get Y with twice the resaw capacity. But for $3000 I could upgrade to 5hp and cut a Voltzwagon in half! All this fretting, and yet, no bandsaw in my shop. So I moseyed over to Highland WW on my lunch break, and put $199 down on the benchtop Rikon 10-305. After two grueling weeks of scientific and analytical benchmarking tests, algorithms, logarithms, and calculations, below are my findings. A $199 Bandsaw is better than No Bandsaw. Given the choice between something and nothing, as far as the bandsaw goes, "something" wins. And unlike my first Delta contractor table saw, which terrified me, I don't think the cheap price tag really equates to 'unsafe' either. Does the fence feel cheap, sure. Did it squeal like heck cutting 8/4 maple?, you betcha. Was the operating manual glorified toilet paper?, oh yeah. Does it make my life easier in the shop?, Absolutely. Can I follow a pencil line? I sure can. I had no idea how often I'd use it, but I find myself making quick cuts and trims on it all the time. And no more clamping down for the jigsaw (or table mounting it - yikes!). Heck, I even gave my first try at a "hand cut" bandsaw dovetail joint, and it came out pretty darn good. My point is this. I was a member of the "I wish I had a Bandsaw" club for too long, because I was comparing $800 tools to $1400 tools. Meanwhile, every project that required a bandsaw, or involved a bandsaw cut that would have saved me a ton of time, was an obstacle for me My real comparison should have been "$199 Bandsaw vs. No Bandsaw" Look, in 12 months if I want to upgrade I could easily sell it for $100. Which equates to a $100 loss. Or the equivalent of renting this bandsaw for $8 a month. Not bad. So in conclusion, if you're in the "I wish I had a bandsaw" club, I'd recommend the Rikon 10-305. Or, you can buy mine for $100 in 12 months when I upgrade 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Does your research paper have a peer review? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STL Woodguy Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I think benchtop bandsaws like that have their place. If I had the room, I wouldn't mind just dedicating my bigger saw for resawing and larger tasks while I would use the benchtop with a finer scroll blade for small to medium work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieboy Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 What's holding you back from buying a bigger band saw now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted September 24, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Does your research paper have a peer review? What do you call THIS ????? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlinwi202 Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Valid points on this review. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Before I got my 14" Grizzly, I had an older Ryobi 9" band saw. It wasn't a bad machine. It cut MANY pinewood derby cars for workshops we hosted for cub scouts, as well as many of my own personal projects. When I went to the 14" it was because I had out grown the saw. The point being, is that I personally feel that a band saw is that if you need to go cheep on, you can still function with it. Just know its limits. In fact I have known of folks who have larger band saws who also end up buying a smaller 9 or 10 inch band saw, and use dedicate them with a thin blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 I agree with you except I have been looking at the Rikon 10" and it doesn't run for $199 it runs for $299 plus shipping which is like $50-$75. So now you are up to almost $400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted September 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rikon10bandsaw.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Did you also see that there is a $43 shipping charge in addition to standard shipping charge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klappco Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Amazon has free shipping with Amazon Prime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Amazon has free shipping with Amazon Prime. Amazon wants $250 for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Great post! It's so easy to get caught up all the hype... if you don't have festool, lie nielsen, etc.. you shouldn't be buying anything. I've been kicking this same issue around, and reading this post makes me feel a helluva lot better. I would much prefer to be in the 'have' bandsaw vs 'no' bandsaw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Well I will officially have a bandsaw soon. Woodcraft just announced they will be having the Rikon 10" on sale for $199 through oct 24 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klappco Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Where can I find the info on this sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Where can I find the info on this sale? Just go to woodcraft site and check it out. When he posted it wasn't up yet but now it's showing 199 for the Rikon 10-305 model (regular 289). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080327/28906/Rikon-10-Bench-Top-Bandsaw-Model-10-305.aspx For someone with limited space and looking for a band saw, this looks like a winner to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rikon10bandsaw.aspx Did you get a green or blue one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klappco Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Just ordered one from Amazon fulfilled by Woodcraft. 199 and 15.99 shipping. Sent to Idaho so no sales tax. I have been waiting for them to get a Jet in stock again as I have a pending order for cheap but gave up after two months. I think 199 is a decent deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Just ordered one from Amazon fulfilled by Woodcraft. 199 and 15.99 shipping. Sent to Idaho so no sales tax. I have been waiting for them to get a Jet in stock again as I have a pending order for cheap but gave up after two months. I think 199 is a decent deal What Jet one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 The Rikon and Craftsman are the same except the Craftsman has balanced wheels and a few other upgrades. According to a recent magazine review anyway. - sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 The Rikon and Craftsman are the same except the Craftsman has balanced wheels and a few other upgrades. According to a recent magazine review anyway. - sent via Tapatalk What craftsman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klappco Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 What Jet one? JWBS-10OS Amazon was selling it for $333 with free shipping. Seems that it was never going to be in stock. Their other seller who actually had it was charging $487. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 What craftsman? http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-1-3-hp-3.5-amp-10inch-band-saw/p-00921400000P?prdNo=2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 I have that Craftsman saw. Good unit, just small capacity. Max depth of cut is just under 4". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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