Official Luthiers Forum!

I have been looking to upgrade my bandsaw and there is a sale this month at Woodcraft on the Rikon deluxe 14" with 13" of resaw and a 1 1/2 motor. I am looking for a saw to be my standard shop saw but I want one that can once in a while cleanly handle some back plates. Everything about this saw sounds perfect for me, and it runs at 110 (no 220 for me). I know some people have this saw and I would love to know what you think of it. I am not looking for a resaw monster, but I don't want to have to fight boards through when I want to cut a few things. Thanks!

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Burton, check the archives.  There have been a number of discussions about bandsaws, and that one has been pretty well discussed - mostly with pretty positive remarks.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

It seems like a decent saw to me from what I've seen. You certainly don't need a resaw monster with both Steve and me available to you, that's for sure!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Waddy- Thanks for that tip. There was more there than I remembered. Sounds like just what I need.

Don- Hey, you've got that right. Anything really fancy goes straight to you guys. Are you going to be there the 15th? I think I will.

Thanks guys!

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

there have been a number of good reviews on this machine.

if you have the option of running it on 220v, and most of the motors on machines of this nature can be configured to run on either 120v or 220v, i recommend you elect the 220v. the machine will consume less current, and runs more efficiently on 220v, with less energy lost to heat. even if it is necessary to run a 220v line(which could be taken off an existing dryer or stove circuit or run using a separate breaker) it would be worth it in my opinion.

Be careful to size your overcurrect protection appropriately for your equipment load and conductors(NEC allows inverse time breakers and dual element time delay fuses to be sized up to 250% of the full load amps of a motor circuit to accomodate starting currents). Your motor should have thermal overload protection(most bandsaws will). You will still consume the same amount of power running at 220v, but the BIG advantage is your voltage drop will be significantly less when you start your bansaws motor(higher inrush currents can be a big issue with 120V circuits). I agree 220 volt is a great way to go.

Peace,Rich

Well, this is timely. The new (August) issue of Woodworker's Journal magazine, and that Rikon won their "Best Bet" award, going up against saws by Laguna, Powermatic and Steel City, among others. Go for it!

I'm in the market for one of these. I checked their website, and it still shows the normal price of $750. Do you know if this is a local sale? I guess I'll just have to call my local (40 miles away) store tomorrow.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

on 220v v 120v current will drop, volts are up, watts(power)will remain the same.

I would also like to know where this sale is offered.
What is the sale price?

Man, it looks like one heck of a band saw. I might have to be in the market for an upgrade if the price is right.

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

Hi Guys,
This all sounds great, I think I am going to go for it. About the sale, it is 10% off power tools sale at Woodcraft, so it is not on the saw only. I am lucky to live near New Hampshire which has no tax, so for me it is more like 15%. I know it is most of the New England Woodcrafts but I don't know about nationwide. Thanks for all the feedback.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

"on 220v v 120v current will drop, volts are up, watts(power)will remain the same."

Yes, "Voltage drop" I mentioned refers to the % of voltage dropped across the conductors feeding the motor(as a result of the impedence). Which is significantly higher when you start a motor because your starting current is 3 to 6 times your normal running current(after the motor is up to speed). This is also why long extension cords(especially if the cord has small conductors) are problematic for starting motors. If voltage drops low enough(around 15%) a motor may not even be able to start turning(it will set in a locked rotor state and cook* unless your overcurrent or short circuit protection opens the circuit). The number of volts dropped will relate to conductor size and current flow(120 v. will draw more current and drop more volts if conductors are the same size). Your motor wired for 120 volts may have trouble starting if you drop 18 volts, at 220 you may have trouble if you drop 30 volts. This is why I mentioned voltage drop issues are much improved by using higher voltage.

Peace,Rich

Can't speak to the 14" but I bought the 18" about a year ago. I had an issue with the motor and the Rikon customer service was great. Resolved my problem totally to my satisfaction within 24 hrs....no hesitancy on their part.

Tom Armstrong