Rigid bandsaw, good deal, or not

[mark kosse]

I thought it was. I got a 14" rigid bandsaw with the 6" extention and rigid mobil base for 100.00. As I was leaving the guy said thanks for taking it off his hands. When I got home I noticed wire wrapped around the legs of the top wheel to control vibration. The saw does vibrate some, but thats not really a big deal to me. I mostly wanted it to resaw/mill slightly bigger pieces that my 14" delta's will not do. Do these saws not have a very good reputation? I'm just curious about the saw, not upset. It seemed like a good deal to me.

Thanks

[Kevin Hooks]

I think that is a great deal. I have one with the same setup I'm trying to sell...and no way I'd sell it that cheap. I think most of the vibration in the saw comes from the motor, if you try a link belt it helps quite a bit.

[Andy Sowers]

That BS has a mixed following... there have been many who have complained about the vibration issues. Visit Ridgid's website, there's a lot that has been written about it and what can be done to overcome some frequent problems.

$100 seems a pretty good deal to me...

Andy

[James Carmichael]

I'd say great deal.

The wire wrap is most likely to correct wheel balance, a fairly common issue with bandsaws.

The only way to know is try and tune.

I have one of the older grey models. Out of curiosity, I tried the nickel test, and it passed. Maybe I'm just lucky.

While I wouldn't refuse a free upgrade to say, an MM16, I can't complain about performance for the price.

[Dave Sweeney]

As long as you're happy with the deal that is all that really matters anyways.

[mark kosse]

Thanks for the replies folks. I am happy with the deal. I knew it wouldn't replace my 2 14" deltas when I got it but it will come in handy when I need it. It was cheaper that a riser for my other saws.

I pick up bulldozed root balls and most of the time they won't fit on my saws. That 12" will be nice. I've been out of town so maybe I'll get time to play with it soon.

[glenn bradley]

Reports are hit and miss but at $100, I'd say you're OK. Most folks with issues find a fix either here or on the Ridgid forums. Tap into the experience of others who went before you and are generous enough to share. The forums have sure helped me dodge some bullets and solve some problems that I thought I had to live with.

[mark kosse]

I went to the orange place and saw these sell for 369.00 w/o the extention or mobile base. At that price I guess it was a good deal. So far I like it OK. I don't like all the work I have to go through to change the blade but luckily thats not an all the time deal with other saws handy. For those that have this saw without the riser, do you have to unscrew the left blade cover to change the blade also?


Not to bash the rigid, but for anyone looking for a new bandsaw, if I was buying a new saw, the Griz GO555 is a better saw for the money. Better dust collection, better blade guides and a blade tension quick release for about 75.00 more shipped.

But for 100.00....

[Mike Blume]

For $100 I would say it's a good deal. I have the same saw. For what it's worth, I found the source of the vibration on mine to be the top of the stand flexing. I pulled the saw off, added a piece of 3/4 MDF and the vibration is all but gone.

Mike

[Mike Cruz]

Very good deal! I got my Rigid 14" for $150 and was very happy with that. Then I added the extension, and built a base, and swapped out the motor with a 1.5 HP, and put Carter guides on it, and put link belts on it, and got a mobile base.

So, yeah, you got a great deal.

That said, the vibration is likely from the belt and the wheel (being out of balance). Search this forum, there are many threads about this BS and balancing the wheels. If you look in my info area, you can find threads that I have posted in and started regarding these things.

Congrats!

[Myk Rian]

Don't worry about the wire. I used binder clips on my Delta. Without the wire parts.

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/images/209x186/21692p_01.jpg

[Paul Mathers]

I have this saw and can not find the riser anywhere rigid told me it was discontinuded any ideas where I can get one Thanks for any info

[Mike Cruz]

Grizzly's fits it.

[Myk Rian]

I heard the Grizzly also fits the Delta 14", but there are 2 models of Griz risers.

[Mike Cruz]

I ordered the H3051 and it worked perfectly.

[Rich Enders]

Thanks for the tip/confirmation on the Grizzly riser.

I have no prior BS history to compare with, but the Rigid BS has worked flawlessly for two years of near daily use.

The standard blade was about worthless, but the Wood Slicer made the BS. Little or no vibration, reasonable power, and the lifetime warranty... I have not used the warranty on the BS, but I did on the Rigid OSS. Replacement parts came free, but I had to pick them up at a tool shop. They would not mail them to me.