Byrdie Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Vinny - I think your review is well written and hits the point that many seem to miss. A tool that can get the job done is better than no tool at all. Would I rather spend my money once? Sure. But my once might not be as big a budget as someone else. It's been said time and time again, lots of really nice stuff has been made by some with a limited amount of tools, tools that are the same budget or quality, or with a lack of the "proper" tools. Good on you for doing what you felt comfortable with and will help you get the job done. Thanks both for reviewing the tool honestly and for reminding us of which part of what we do is important - exercising a craft that looks for results. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew-in-austin Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 This is just what I needed to hear. I've spent months thinking about what bandsaw would be nice to have. I picked up the Rkion for $200 today and it will probably do 90% of things I need a bandsaw to do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Well, as a woodworker on a budget... Who am I kidding, as a broke woodworker, I saved my pennies and bought a 14" masterforce on clearence for about $300, quite the upgrade from a $80 10" delta I inherited from my dad. I'd still like to have a nice 3hp Laguna, but that masterforce cuts wood, even does a little resawing. I got caught up in all the guys talking about brand x is sooo much better than anything, and it a computer controlled, laser guided, do hicky that uses a rocket motor out of a HARM missile to keep the wheel coplanar... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klappco Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Got my Rikon set up Saturday and it works fine. Cutting three inch thick Jatoba went well. I believe that this, like all bandsaws, needs a good setup to work its best. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 I ordered mine but they are on back order right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 I ordered mine but they are on back order right now. Where did you order from? I saw they were "usually ships in 1-2 months" from Amazon...but Woodcraft doesn't seem to give any info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Woodcraft, but your right. I wasn't given any time frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 They probably have the same delay as Amazon, but they just aren't upfront about it. It sounds like I should go ahead and order one if I expect to have it anytime remotely soon. =p 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firehawk Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 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 Sounds like the Craftsman is the way to go seeing how it is currently on sale for $189! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I wish it would get here already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Heck, I could have bought one for you in Atlanta and ground shipped it by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yeah, except I don't have to pay shipping. I could have ordered it and paid shipping. But shipping was regular shipping + $45 for oversize charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Stephens Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Great post. Not just about the bandsaw, but the moral of the story being "a tool is better than no tool." I get stuck a lot in the analysis part of buying with the many questions: Is this the best price? Is this the best quality? What's the best quality I can afford? Will I use this on every project in the future, or just the projects I'm doing right now? How many times do I need to watch that YouTube review before I decide already?! However, this post set my mind at ease. Sometimes it's better to not over-analyze a tool purchase. I haven't regretted one yet, so chances are I won't regret my next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I think this is also a story of knowing what the tool is and isn't capable of. In general, with band saws, if the wheels spin true, and you have a good blade, you can do a lot with them. I had a couple different 9" bandsaws. The biggest use those saws had were with workshops we did for our cub scouts with the pinewood derby cars. Those saws cut a LOT of those cars. When my son aged out of cub scouts, I started taking woodworking more seriously as a hobby. While I used the small band saw for awhile, I reached the limitation of what I could do with it, and I bought a 14" band saw that I am very happy with. The band saw is an example of a machine that can be very functional in the small sizes. Just about the only thing I didn't expect it to do was resawing. Just for comparison, I would not recommend following this same model when it comes to table saws. I would much rather see someone spend $100-$200 on craigslist contractor saw (cast iron top, belt drive motor) then see them spend $300-$400 on a new jobsite saw. While I have seen some very nice work done on jobsite saws, the difference between using the two is night and day, and have a very limited life span when compared to bigger saws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted October 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2014 +1 on the table saw comment. I have a delta contractor saw that I bought used for $75. I honestly don't know how I didn't kill myself with it. I won't even give it to a friend for free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 25, 2014 Report Share Posted October 25, 2014 I got the call, I got the call, I got the call! It's here! Can you tell I'm excited! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcarswell Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm getting the craftsman bs tomorrow. I have a delta 14 inch and older craftsman 12 both the older ones are on sale. Hopefully they sell before my rikon 10-325 gets ordered or my wife will freak about 4 bandsaw in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm getting the craftsman bs tomorrow. I have a delta 14 inch and older craftsman 12 both the older ones are on sale. Hopefully they sell before my rikon 10-325 gets ordered or my wife will freak about 4 bandsaw in the shop. I love the Rikon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 All set up? Did you love that detailed manual? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 What are you guys doing for blades on these? The 70.5" blade seems somewhat non-standard, although I still see a decent selection looking online. Which have you guys used and how has it worked so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 I picked up this one from Highland WW. As you can see...it's not installed yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 LOL I do this all the time. I am currently playing the next step up game with portable planers. I think ill go with a 2 blade model and see what I can do with it and how much I actually use it, I'm sure it will be better then the one I don't have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Cheap planer beats no planer every time (unless it's somehow destroying your boards ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Cheap planer beats no planer every time (unless it's somehow destroying your boards ) My old Delta might disprove your theory unless you wanted to wash clothes on what comes out of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Well, I pulled the trigger on a harbor freight model, ran about 10 board feet through it before I had to go to a Christmas, hobby and craft show in Indianapolis. I bought an extra set of blades for it, but so far, I am super impressed with its performance especially for $300 for a planer and an extra set of blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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