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Joshua McCormack
06-10-2023, 8:31 PM
Looking to get my first bandsaw. I do this as a hobby and primarily make things for around the house including some indoor and outdoor furniture. I like use the bandsaw to be able to cut some curved pieces, make bandsaw boxes, and occasionally die some rip cuts. At his point I don’t see myself doing much Resaw I g but I’m also just getting into using hardwoods. Have today built with pine only in the past.

so I think I have it narrowed down to the 10 In rikon 10-361 for $550 or the 14 in rikon 10-324for $1300. Is the 14 in with the price difference for my use case? Any other options I need to consider?

Christopher Herzog
06-10-2023, 9:40 PM
14 is where I would offer is a good starting point. Blades are easy to aquire and machine can do lots of fun things. Can get a rise block set up down the road to increase capacity if resaw ever gets popular and band saw boxes can use it as well for larger sizes.

If price is an issue, look used. Used delta rockwell is 250 today in my area.

Best of luck with your search!
Chris

Bill Dufour
06-10-2023, 11:43 PM
As long as the table trunnions are not broken not much to wear on a bandsaw. I would buy used and save money for upgraded blade guides.
Location will tell us local prices to you.
Bill D.
Delta 14"= $500
Grob 18", ten speed, welder, $1,800
Northfield 20, $900. been up for 16 days? That is like 1/3 or 1/4 of real value. But it has a 12 " height extension. That may make it more then 8' tall.

Bruce Page
06-11-2023, 12:16 AM
I have the 10” Rikon as a secondary band saw. It’s a good little saw but is limited in what it can do. Mine is an early version with a 1/3 hp motor. Maybe the current version with ½ hp would be fine. That said, I would opt for the 14", if you can swing it.

Welcome to the forum.

lou Brava
06-11-2023, 11:16 AM
Sounds like your not sure where this hobby will take you, if you can afford the 14" saw go for it you may end up using it for a lot more than you think. The used band saw market is a good way to go but if you don't know much about band saws be careful and buy from some one you trust. Things do wear out, motors, switches, threaded fence inserts, tires, guides, fence adjusters, ect. all easy repairs. But if your not into repairing just walk away from eq. that looks very used.

Patrick Varley
06-11-2023, 12:32 PM
Agree with everyone else. 14" if you can swing it. I started out with a 10", and quickly outgrew it. If I had the room, I would have kept it with a narrow blade for more scroll-type work. I didn't have the 10" Rikon, but from what everyone says it's one of the better examples of that size saw. So you may be able to squeeze a bit more juice out of it.

That being said, as other's have mentioned, you can probably find a used 14" Delta for the same price or less than the 10" Rikon. You can definitely find the 14" Rigid for less, which is still what I'm using and have major complaints when considering the cost. Took the time to tune it up (new tires, Cool Blocks, new spring, and balanced the wheels) and I was all-in about $350. It's performed quite well, including acceptably resawing 6" mahogany using a 1/2" blade. Of course, seeing what that modest upgrade can do has me itching to upgrade again as something like a Laguna 14|12 (or even a Harvey C14) which wouldn't take up more space than what I already have. But that's more of a wish at this point.

Stan Calow
06-11-2023, 12:49 PM
For making bandsaw boxes, it's helpful to have as much bandsaw height as you can, in order to make boxes tall enough. I have a 12" BS with only a 4.5 Inch resaw capacity and that's not enough. Go with a 14".

Rob Sack
06-11-2023, 12:56 PM
I still have my old Delta 14" that over the years has been modified with a riser block, two different versions of the Carter guides, the Carter tension release lever, and a larger side and outfeed table. It continues to serve me well. But when I decided to get a larger band saw, I opted for the Laguna and have never regretted it, even though prior to this purchase, my relationship with Laguna Tools' personnel was, shall we say, a bit rocky. As previously suggested, if going used, you can't go wrong with a 14" Delta. However, the Delta company, if it even still exists, "ain't what it use to be" and parts may be an issue. When one of the bearings went out on my upper wheel, I contacted DeWalt, which owned Delta at the time, and they said they had both bearings in stock. Even though one of the bearings was still ok, I figured replacing both at the same time made more sense. Rather than starting to deal with a bearing supply house, I chose to go a pick up the Delta bearings. After driving 80+ miles one way to pick them up, they informed me that, oops, they only had one bearing in stock, but they would back order the second one. That was over 8 years ago, and I am still waiting. Needless to say, at this point I avoid buying DeWalt. I understand people can make mistakes, but the folks at the DeWalt Factory Service Center were absolute jackasses about their screw up and Dewalt Customer Service was of no help.

If going new, I would still recommend the Laguna 14" over the Rikon 14" even though Rikon seems to have a good reputation. Laguna has two versions of the 14", an Asian import and an Italian import that obviously is more expensive. I ultimately went with the Italian version, but I the Asian import looked great. I now use the Delta with a 1/4" blade for curved work and the Laguna 18" for resaw and joinery.

andy bessette
06-11-2023, 1:01 PM
Very foolish to buy a new 10" import when you can buy a used domestic Delta 14" for less.

Bruce Page
06-11-2023, 1:07 PM
Very foolish to buy a new 10" import when you can buy a used domestic Delta 14" for less.
Some people prefer to buy new. Foolishness has nothing to do with it.

andy bessette
06-11-2023, 1:36 PM
...Foolishness has nothing to do with it.

I am reminded of the saying: "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Kent A Bathurst
06-11-2023, 1:40 PM
I have the 10” Rikon. Because I sold my big iron in the move to the condo. The intended MBR is my hand tool shop

The bandsaw is outside on the deck, under a cover intended for a stack of patio chairs

The rikon is what I expected. So that’s good. In any other situation I would have the 14”

All the basic functions of a bandsaw are problematic with the 10” but I’m fine because this is what suited my situation They delivered on their promise and I have zero complaints

Buy the 14”

Kent A Bathurst
06-11-2023, 1:44 PM
Can’t get edit working on my cell

Tensioning the blade is not great, but I get by the fence is not great, and resides somewhere I think. I made a replacement out of extrusions and UHMW, and drilled and tapped a hole i the table to mount an adjustable fence stop to keep the fence aligned. I’m fine with it because I have to be fine. No regrets.

14”. 14”. 14”

Jack Frederick
06-11-2023, 2:31 PM
I’ve had a Delta 14, A Laguna LT 16, which I sold rather than ship cross country) and currently a Laguna14BX. I too am a hobbyist For my needs the BX has been excellent. I think a BS is worth a stretch financially as it just such a useful piece and it does not take a great deal of space and is quiet.

Alex Zeller
06-11-2023, 2:59 PM
The used market varies so much depending on where you are and how long you wait. Between the two choices you listed I think I would go with the Grizzly 17" anniversary edition. It's the same price as the Rikon 14" (before shipping) yet is heavier and has an extra 1/2hp. Even though the Grizzly says it's 120 or 240 be aware that on 120v it might draw too much current and trip a breaker if pushed hard. It really should be on 240v or a 30a 120 circuit. I don't know why the Rikon has 13" of resaw height with only a 1 1/2hp motor. Trying to resaw anything close to that would be a true test of patents.

Rich Engelhardt
06-11-2023, 4:21 PM
Very foolish to buy a new 10" import when you can buy a used domestic Delta 14" for less.It's even more foolish to sit around wishing you were doing woodworking instead of endlessly searching for something that doesn't exist.

I got sick of doing that pretty quick.

That & the fact that so many times when something used, that isn't selling for three to four times what it's worth, does come up - it always has to be repaired.

Again, I want to do woodworking, not rebuilding machines.


After reading up on the Rikon 10" saws, I ended up getting a 10" Wen 3962T.

andy bessette
06-11-2023, 5:00 PM
...so many times when something used, that isn't selling for three to four times what it's worth, does come up - it always has to be repaired...

Oh come on! :) Exaggerate much?

A wood-cutting bandsaw is such a simple machine: a single motor, with no gearbox, belt-driving a wheel. It has adjustments for tensioning the belt, tracking the wheel, tilting the table, and for the guides. Because of their simplicity it is easy to ascertain the condition of a used machine. Typically quality used machines (with little use) cost ~half as much as new.

Over my nearly 80 years I have owned a number of bandsaws, both wood and metal cutting. All but 2 were bought used. None of the used ones required repair. One of the 2 new ones were missing parts (that's why I got a deal). Nearly all the machines in my shop were purchased used.

https://i.postimg.cc/VNbnK2md/IMG-1269.jpg (https://postimg.cc/3yYkRSyT)

Bill Dufour
06-11-2023, 11:31 PM
No response from the OP. Is he the guy who lives in Guinea Bissau? His choices may be very limited. I believe his shop runs on solar power only. Enough power to teach welding to local students but not at night. Shipping is a huge issue. He fills a container in The USA or Europe and has it shipped to him once a year or so.
Bill D.
USA

Rich Engelhardt
06-12-2023, 7:15 AM
Oh come on! :) Exaggerate much?
You mean that 14" Walker Turner bandsaw that's on Facebook Market Place for $1500 isn't out of line?

No joke - I did look for a 14" bandsaw for years before I found a half decent 14" Delta for $250 about 10 years ago.

There are tons of the three wheel Craftsman saws - priced anywhere from $60 to $200. Tons of Harbor Freight 14" saws - priced from $120 to $600.

Right now there is a very clean looking Rockwell about an hour away - 14" for $1150.

About the only thing that might be worth consideration is a Rockwell 14" 28-200 - located about an hour and a half away for $450 asking. (29 days on CL is a red flag of something not right)

There is that 18" Jet on CL the guy is asking $1200 for. It's been sitting there for 9 days now - which tells me - it isn't such a great deal. Plus - the pictures of the saw don't look right. There isn't a spec of dust, not even a hint of that saw ever being used.

Anyhow - I'm not exaggerating when I say what I posted above. Not in the least. The used market in my area is a huge void. You have to make a very dedicated effort to find any sort of deal on tools here. Wood is much the same.
When decent tools do pop up for sale, more often than not, the seller is selling off everything and won't break down the individual items. A decent 14" bandsaw - will come with a 4" benchtop jointer, a 10" non-slider miter saw, a Sears craftsman tablesaw,,etc,,,for a $3500 bundle.

Paul McGaha
06-12-2023, 10:15 AM
i built my shop out in 2004. Mostly new tools: Table saw, miter saw, dust collector, jointer, planer and drill press.

Next I added a couple of used tools: shaper and wide belt sander. If i had to do it again I think i'd go all used tools except probably the dust collector (which is hard to find just what you want used). i bought the used tools here on the creek. Hobbyist use, near new condition. That's my preferred way to purchase the larger tools. There's pros and cons to it compared to buying new, you have to be willing to drive to the tool and be able to load and unload it. You lose the new tool warranty. But you save about half as compared to new tool.

I don't think buying tools on craigslist or facebook marketplace is as useful as it used to be, Seems tool re-sellers are dominating those markets.

To each their own way I guess.

PHM

And I'd do the 14" bandsaw.

andy bessette
06-12-2023, 10:37 AM
...The used market in my area is a huge void...

We hear this all the time; pretty much from lazy shoppers who would rather pay retail for a cheap import. :)

It does take some effort to buy used. When a deal comes up you can't wait for someone else to snap it up. You must be ready to act at once.

Rich Engelhardt
06-12-2023, 12:43 PM
Yeah - like I said - I'd rather spend my time working on my hobby and not trying to be the most proficient shopper in the area since - that isn't what I consider a hobby.
I just simply don't have the time either. When I need something, I need it right now.

Bill Dufour
06-12-2023, 12:49 PM
Now that I am retired and found out how cheap a trailer rental is used stuff looks even better. I can run pick it up any day of the week.
Bill D

Pat Germain
06-12-2023, 2:54 PM
We hear this all the time; pretty much from lazy shoppers who would rather pay retail for a cheap import. :)

It does take some effort to buy used. When a deal comes up you can't wait for someone else to snap it up. You must be ready to act at once.

Laziness has nothing to do with it. I'm in southern Colorado. I looked at used woodworking tools for years. If they are in useable condition, they tend to be priced at or just below full retail. Apparently I'm paying for the convenience of not having to order? As mentioned, it varies by area. If I were in rural West Virginia where there just aren't many people with much money, used tools are probably reasonably prices. There is a lot of money in the Denver and Colorado Springs area and woodworking machine prices reflect this. Not only are woodworking machines priced very high, they sell at those very high prices. No thank you.

andy bessette
06-12-2023, 3:31 PM
...When I need something, I need it right now.

Not trying to single you out Rich. I understand immediate gratification. But it reminds me of another saying: "When you want it bad, you get it bad."

It only takes a few minutes per day to check the craigslist ads. One of the big advantages in buying quality machinery, used, is that you can usually get all your money back when you decide to sell or upgrade. Buying new you likely lose at least 30-40% right off the top.

Was having lunch with an old Jewish guy one day. He said: "You know, the Jewish people have a lot of names for a man's equipment. But a schmuck is someone who pays retail."

Rich Engelhardt
06-13-2023, 5:57 AM
Most of my tools were bought because I had an immediate need for them. I got into woodworking more as a means to an end. My wife and I renovated houses and a huge part of that process involved making things from wood.
If I needed a tool to complete something I as working on at the renovation, I needed it ASAP. I didn't have the luxury of waiting on a used tool to hit the market.

I have noting against buying used equipment - - but - - it isn't the answer for everyone.

James Jayko
06-13-2023, 8:24 AM
Laguna 14/12. I had a 17" Grizzly and it was fine, but I replaced it with the smaller Laguna and couldn't be happier. There were some relatively minor issues with the Grizzly, but the Laguna has been perfect out of the box.

Prashun Patel
06-13-2023, 9:32 AM
If you are not space constrained, I'd get a 14". I've owned a Grizzly G0555 and it was a decent saw. The 14's can often be outfitted with a riser block if you should decide you want taller cutting capacity occasionally.

If you routinely resaw tall stock or want to use the bandsaw as a substitute for a tablesaw, then you will need thicker blades and more power, which operate better on bigger bandaws (i.e., 17" or larger).

I have a Grizzly import 19". While I believe some of the other brands ("brandsaws"?) are superior at the edges (specifically maybe slightly more robust guide assemblies) mine has plenty of mass and power and vibration stability for anything I've done with it.

If I had to choose between a second hand 14" - even venerably domestic - and a 19" import with good specs, I'd pick the import hands down.

Also, your cut quality depends as much on your choice of bandsaw blade as your choice of saw.

James Jayko
06-13-2023, 1:19 PM
Also, your cut quality depends as much on your choice of bandsaw blade as your choice of saw.

You can say that again. Want to resaw veneers? BUY A NEW, SHARP, 1/2" 3TPI BLADE. They're $30, and if it ain't new, your old bandsaw blade is (too) dull (to resaw).

mike johnston
07-01-2023, 6:44 PM
Won’t get into the new vs used discussion. But I think in the long run you will be happier with a 14” over a 10” do not know about price difference

I currently h3 band saws
14” delta
20” Powermatic
18” LAGUNA

love them all