Selecting a bandsaw: Delta vs. Rikon?

[cgallery]

I've been itching to get a bandsaw and wouldn't cha know it, Rockler is advertising the Delta 28-276 14" bandsaw for $349 (save $80, and get a free $60 mobile base by mail). It seemed tempting.

Then I received a flyer today from Woodcraft and they are advertising a Rikon 10-320 14" bandsaw for $399 (save $50).

I don't really know anything about Rikon. The picture looks nice. It is claimed to be a 1HP unit (the Delta is 3/4HP).

Any opinions?

Thanks!
Phil

[drumpriest]

I think they'd both be great for a 6" resaw. I'd worry a little about putting a riser on the delta 3/4 hp and trying to go for 12".

[vaking]

Rikon is a european sheet-metal body saw. This type does not accept riser but typically has a slightly higher resaw capacity within the same band saw size. Delta is a cast-iron body, accepts a riser.
I don't know about specifically rikon, I have a sheet-metal body type old craftsman saw. It is a 12" saw (rikon you are looking at is 14") but it makes full 6-1/8" resaw. Another difference - people are saying that sheet-metal body is sturdier and works better than cast-iron with wide blades. I don't know how much truth is to it, but most people here use cast-iron saws with timberwolf blades, those blades need less tension. This indirectly supports this theory. Craftsman I have officially accepts up to 1/2" blade and I use with non-timberworf blade "all-pro" and have no issues.

[cgallery]

Thanks all for the feedback. I have additional questions:

(1) What is a riser? How does it allow you to expand the cutting capacity of the saw?

(2) Why is a sheet metal body more stable than a cast iron body? I would think it is the other way around?

(3) What about parts for the Rikon brand? I know I'll always be able to find Delta parts, and have some concern about the Rikon parts.

Thanks!
Phil

[vaking]

1). Riser is an additional chunk of a band saw column that can be inserted in the saw to lift the top wheel an extra 6" or so. You will need longer blades but you will get more clearance over the table, so you will be able cut thicker wood. This option exists only for cast iron saws. Typically 14" saw can cut 6" thick wood without a riser and 12" thick with the riser. Cutting 12" thick wood is harder so it puts more strain on all the components. Search the forum for this subject - there is a lot. Risers for 14" saws are fairly standard, Delta, Grizzly, Jet HF - all support that ability. Installation of riser is advisable to be done at the very beginning - when you are just buying the saw. This way you don't have to through away blades that suddenly become too short.
2). Sheet metal saw is sturdier because the load from top wheel is supported by entire body structure. Cast iron saw puts all load on the column at back of the saw.
3). Don't know about parts in the future. Most important part is the blade and they should be generic. But do consider that the price of a saw includes not just the basic saw you get at the beginning but few extras that you will need to buy sooner or later. For instance resawing needs a rip fence. For delta there are many choices - some are generic products like Kreg. Rikon offers one from Rikon and often has discounts when bought together with saw.

[drumpriest]

I have the sears euro saw, got it for 385$, you might wanna have a look at it, VERY similar to the Rikon, but with an 8" resaw.

[sacherjj]

2). Sheet metal saw is sturdier because the load from top wheel is supported by entire body structure. Cast iron saw puts all load on the column at back of the saw.

Either I'm misunderstanding something, or this doesn't make sense. I have the Craftsman 10" Rikon and I only have one side of the saw supported. I had not really taken a close look at cast iron risers, but assumed that they would be a U channel when viewed from above, with the blade riding in the center. Do cast iron saws only support the top out past the blade, with just a guard inside?

[cwsmith]

If you want to check out the Rikon, the newer Craftsman 14" unit is made by Rikon with some modifications spec'd by Sears. The Craftsman model has an 8-inch, depth-of-cut, capacity while the Ricon equivalent is close to 7-inches as I recall. The Craftsman also comes with an adjustable fence, not sure about the Rikon.

I also recall reading on the Finewoodworking web site, that the Rikon was the only one (of six or so saws that were reviewed), that was capable of fairly high blade tensioning without flexing of the saw frame. I believe the point was that many of the European-style, welded sheet steel-type bodies were more ridgid than the traditional cast-iron designs that are now being manufactured in Asia.

For what it's worth,

CWS

[Howard]

A number of us, myself included, have the Grizzly ultimate 14" Band Saw, GO555, at it works great! Can get the riser, beautifully put together machine and comes with the fence and miter gauge. I took everyone's advise and got a timberwolf blade. It made a big difference. Much smoother and easier cut.

[Russianwolf]

Either I'm misunderstanding something, or this doesn't make sense. I have the Craftsman 10" Rikon and I only have one side of the saw supported. I had not really taken a close look at cast iron risers, but assumed that they would be a U channel when viewed from above, with the blade riding in the center. Do cast iron saws only support the top out past the blade, with just a guard inside?

The riser is not "U" shaped, The blade does not go through it at all. Look here the blade is in that little plastic channel on the side of the black riser block/grey frame.

(not my shop, but I do own the identical saw)

[sacherjj]

OK, that makes sense. A "euro" type is more like a sheet metal "U" beam, where cast iron just has a single post support. I would look closer at larger cast iron bandsaws, but then I would feel even more of a need to buy one. So I try to stay pretty far away.

[LCHIEN]

I would strongly consider the Rikon for not much extra bucks.
The Cast Iron is the cheaper construction. Steel is stronger and stiffer than Iron, Iron is cheap; steel is expensive. Steel must be individually welded in steps whereas Cast iron is basically rough cast by pouring into a "mold" so to speak, and then mounting surfaces, bosses, and holes are machined in. Cast iron can crack, you will seldom find steel doing that.

That's probably why the Rikon can handle a 3/4" blade and a 1 HP motor.

So the steel frame of the Rikon should be stronger and flex less. While the 14" cast iron saw is normally 6" resaw with 12" capability with a Riser, the Rikon I think is 6" Inches but with no expansion capability. Unless you regularly cut some real wide boards I think the Rikon will be good enough and the extra power is a bonus.

Incidentally, the Craftsman 14" Eurosaw has a 8" resaw capacity vs 6" of the Rikon...
who said it's the same saw?