splinterking Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 So after some great feedback from the forum here I've narrowed my band saw choices down to 2 models and due to typical woodwork OCD I'm stuck. So I'd like everyones opinion and feedback from owners of either of the saws. Right now due to various sales they would both cost $924 with shipping(or tax) etc. The only difference being that I would get a mobile base for the Rikon at that price and none for the Grizzly. Here are the pros and cons the way I see it. G0513ANV- Pros: 2hp Motor Large Heavy Frame Larger Throat Cons: Needs 220v(which I have, but is really dedicated to the Table Saw. Guess I could switch or run another circuit?) Heavier harder to move Aluminum Wheels Rikon 10-325- Pros: Cast Iron Wheels Larger table Smaller Footprint 110v Cons: Less Power @ 1.5hp Some So-So reviews from a few users and FWW gave it an iffy reviews So lets see what everyone thinks. I sure either will make me happy in the end, but this will be the second largest single purchase in the shop next the table saw I will have made and I don't want to pull the trigger and regret it later. I appreciate everyones input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Unless someone owns both, I'm not too sure you're going to get an honest comparison between the 2. I guess if it were my choice, I'd go for the bigger throat and more HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 IMHO I wouldn't buy a bandsaw saw without cast iron wheels. I had a grizzly 15" with aluminum wheels and I have the 10-325 now, the wheels make a huge difference. 1.5 HP vs 2 HP isn't going to be that big of a difference especially with cast iron vs alum wheels. Think of the wheels as a flywheel, cast wheels have more mass and that helps more than you realize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks Cancelleri, That answers one of my question, that I didn't directly ask, about the wheel materials. I thought those two things, motor power vs. wheel momentum, might kind of cancel each other out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firehawk Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Just curious, why are you comparing a 14 inch to a 17 inch. Wouldn't you want to decide on your size first and then weigh cost and features? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Mark, thats a valid question. Here is my thinking. They have a comparable resaw capacity, 12 for the Grizzly, 13 for the Rikon. Close in overall power , similar table size, similar design. Really beside for my list above the only thing that really separates them is the throat capacity, which I don't see as being all that import to me, though I could be wrong. And finally the expense is exactly the same. So that how I got here, but I might be over looking something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 At that price a the 17" bandsaw is pretty entry level, versus a higher mid range bandsaw 14" bandsaw like the Rikon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Cancelleri, thats a good point. I took the same approach on my table saw. Got a better hybrid saw vs. a entry level cabinet saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I've bought entry level tools thinking it's bigger it's better. I've since sold all those tools and learned to find the right tools before purchasing them. Tools are really heavy to move. I'm dreading moving my drill press from my parents basement to my house. Had it stored there when I lived in my condo. even when dismantled it is a bear to move, and I gotta clean it all up and give it a tuneup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I have the Rikon and I like it. It it's usually available from Woodcraft on sale regularly for 800. At the 1K price range have you considered the Laguna 1412? Reviews of it have been pretty good so it might be worth giving it a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Fitz, I've looked at the Laguna and it does look great, but the Rikon is on sale for $799 and thats what is really putting in my budget. I am kind of waiting to see if the Laguna goes on sale for black Friday, but it's looking more like the Rikon now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Fitz, I've looked at the Laguna and it does look great, but the Rikon is on sale for $799 and thats what is really putting in my budget. I am kind of waiting to see if the Laguna goes on sale for black Friday, but it's looking more like the Rikon now. The Grizzly goes on sale in December. Might be worth a phone call to see what the savings might be.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Chances are the Laguna will not drop below 1000. If there's anything Laguna makes right, it's bandsaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Cons: Less Power @ 1.5hp Some So-So reviews from a few users and FWW gave it an iffy reviews Just an fyi, take the FWW reviews with a large grain of salt. I swear some times they the have reviews just so they can gush over a big advertisers newest tool, and others they are just trying to fill a page count quota. For example the last review they had said the PM1500 was the best. I remember thinking it damn well should be, it costs twice as much as 3/4ths of the machines it was compared to, and in some cases over 3 times as much. I have the 10-325, and it's an excellent little machine given its price. Honestly, I'd recommend it or the Laguna 14|twelve, or save your money and get something in the 18"+ range that will let you run really big blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Alright I pulled the trigger on the Rikon 10-325 today. I just couldn't make anything make sense for the money. I thought maybe the 14-12 might be included in 15% Black Friday sales, but the folks at my local Woodcraft said "NO". Of course they're out of stock since they've sold out them twice this month, so if was the wrong decision at least I've got some company, though everyone seems pretty happy that owns one. Now I'm just waiting for the truck to come in. Thanks for everyones input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Congratulations. Take your time assembling it, and follow Alex Snodgrass' bandsaw tuning video and out of the box cuts will be really nice. Wax the table to protect it, and you'll be a happy camper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcarswell Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Exactly. That alex Snodgrass bandsaw clinic on youtube changed everything for me. I went from getting terrible cuts to setting up near perfect cuts in a third of the time after following his wisdom. And I second what cancilerri said. Wax the table and use protective coatings from right off the bat. Also I don't know about the rikon but I know nearly all bandsaws come with subpar blades at best so order at least 1 high quality blade suited to your work flow to set the bandsaw up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 I did watch the Alex Snodgrass video after Canelleri's recommendation and it is excellent. His techniques and explanation of why he employed them really makes a lot more sense than other I've heard. Now if my saw would just show up I could put it all to good use : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 I'm gonna have to watch this video then. I've seen Marc's several times but not his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 I've seen Marc's video, while good, Alex Snodgrass' video is more informative and thorough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinterking Posted December 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I've watched Marc video too. I think it's great as well. I don't think you really have to choose, there's a lot to learn in both. Alex Snodgrass seems to cover setup for specific use, where Marc covers more new saw setup and basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21meyer Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Just in case anybody missed it. The Rikon 10-325 is on sale for Cyber Monday until tonight for $699. http://www.menards.com/main/flyer.html;jsessionid=49FBDB95A6052731642BB5656B144224.tndm-prodapp2-external-mcom?flyer_run_id=40591&page=1&locale=en&flyer_type_name=online&store_code=3230&hide=catalog,catalog1,midwestmanufacturing&postal_code=68022&getGoogleKey=true&flyer=flyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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