Used Rikon 10-340 - to buy or not?

[Matt Day]

I found a used Rikon 10-340 which appears to have very little use. I've done about an hour of research on this saw and have found some favorable, semi-favorable, and unfortunately a number of poor reviews. Some complaining about frame flex and poor guides.

As most of you know a new 10-345 was/is on sale for less than $1000 at Woodcraft, and I'm guessing is a revised version of the 10-340 that corrected any complaints/flaws.

Would $500 for a 7 year old 10-340 be worth it, or should I let it pass bye?

[Jamie Buxton]

Give us a hint. Is this a 14" bandsaw, pretty much the first product that Rikon brought to this country?

[Curt Harms]

Nah, it's an 18". The 10-345 had 'issues' when it was first released - something with the top wheel tensioning mechanism? I don't recall - but I remember laments about a step in the wrong direction from the 10-340 to the 10-345. I don't know what changed from the 10-340 but recall quite good reviews for the 10-340. $500 for a good 18" bandsaw seems pretty attractive.

[Mike Cutler]

Yes, you should seriously consider this saw.
I have owned one since they came out, and couldn't be happier. Mine flat out resaws!. I have put some pretty heavy duty, tropical hardwoods through mine and not a hiccup. It takes a vernier to measure the deviations in thickness of a resawn board,and I've put some long stuff through mine. I can go straight from the bandsaw, to the drum sander with just a few light passes. No planer step in between.
I had a tracking problem with mine initially, but seem to be the only person that ever had it. Even knowing that I would have to fix the problem, I'd still buy it again.
Here is a link to my initial review of the saw;
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?17055-Rikon-18-quot-Review&highlight=
I have never regretted buying this saw.

[Jeff Bartley]

Matt, that seems like fair money for that saw! I must say the new 10-350 has really caught my eye......but it's price a bit higher ($1400 new) and once you get into that range all sorts of good used saws are available. Where's Van Huskey when we need him?!

[Jim Tabor]

Matt,
I've have the 10-345 for a couple of years and it seems like an okay saw. No issues of any kind so far. I can't re-saw with it worth a darn, but I'm convinced its me and not the saw. If the saw is in good condition, I would jump at the $500.

[Joseph Tarantino]

.......... If the saw is in good condition, I would jump at the $500.

+1 on that. i got mine for $700 from a woodnetter to replace a god awful 18" jet i sold for $750. the 10-340 is a great band saw. feels like a tank when compared to, and has none of the frame flexing that plagued, that 18" jet. at $500, it's almost a gloatable buy, IMHO.

[Gus Dundon]

I would jump to $500 if the over all condition of the band saw is outstanding! You may want to check the tires,wheels, motor and the guides and even the switch. Check if there are breaks or cracks

[Doug Ladendorf]

+1 on that.... at $500, it's almost a gloatable buy, IMHO.

+2 great buy. I'd jump on it quick.