Rikon 18" Bandsaw 10-345

[CrashResq]

Howdy all:

I've been out of the loop here for quite some time... too much work, too many honey-do's.

I'm looking for some opinions or input concerning the subject bandsaw. Woodcraft will have a special the weekend of Oct 14-15 that will give back (on gift card) $10 for every $100 dollars spent. I've been in the market for a large bandsaw for some time and was going to go with the Grizzly 17", but with the 10% kickback gift card, I'm more inclined to go with the Rikon. A "features check" also comes out in favor of the Rikon.

What do y'all think? Anyone here have a Rikon 18" or the Grizzly 17"? Let me know what you think.

Thanx

Bill

[drumpriest]

I have the sears ( I think by Ricon ) 14", and like it a lot. I've looked at the Ricon 18", one heck of a machine. I'm impressed in general with Ricon.

[SARGE..g-47]

Took the opportunity to go over both at the International Woodworking Show here in Atlanta several weeks ago and make comparisons. First.. I am commenting on the Grizzly G0513 X-treme 17" and not the straight G 0513 at $100 less, as there is a ton of difference for the $100. The X has cast iron wheels and fence as opposed to aluminum. It is slightly heavier than the Rikon.

The Rikon has a foot-brake and a longer blade as would be expected on an inch larger wheel. Slightly better over-all finish than the Grizzly (if that really matters to anyone.. ha.. ha...) and comes with an approximately $250 higher price tag.

Both are well made in comparison to other Pacific Rim BS's (Jet..Delta 18") and I found them close in comparison. And I didn'say that any of the above were perfect in that you get what you pay for (if you do your home-work at least). Both are solid in the price range considering the Rikon is $250 more.

Now.. if I were to be considering a 18" and was going to shell out $1149 for a Pacific Rim BS, I would not over-look another that has just hit the market. I spent 3 hours two weeks ago comparing their 18" and 20" models to the Jet 18" and 20" at open house at Wm. J, Redmond & Son here in Atlanta.

IMO, Steel City has smoked the competition on Pacific Rim BS's in the 16"-18"-and 20". The retail price is respectively $999.. 16 $1279.. 18 $1849.. 20. Is it worth the extra? I do believe so.

Pros:....... All three come with double tension springs as the Jet 20". The 18" and 20" have foot brakes as the Jet 20". All 3 have no tool adjustment on the roller bearing. The 18" and 20" have sturdier over-head beams than the competitor. The back-beam is as beefy if not more beefy than the competiors. The tenison spring attachments are much beefier. They all have pin-point adjustment for the rack and pinion blade raising guides. They all have larger and adjustable wheel hubs. The 18" and 20" have a 20" X 20" cast iron table. They all are heavier over-all than their competors (reduced vibration). They all have a 5 year warranty.

Cons:....... They have high impact nylon im-pregnated guide and tension wheels (not a biggy and not likely to break, but I like metal). The hand "knurl nut" that realeases the guide adjustments (even though easy to get to) are about 3/16" thick. I would replace both with 1/2" thick "knurl nuts" from Reid Tool Company for about $2.30 each.

In essense, if my own personal requirements were less than having to go to the scaled down commercial standards of a Mini Max.. Aggazani.. Bridgewood PBS series.. Laguna.. Tannewitz and their well over $2000 price range... I would either pruchase the 2 HP 18" Steel City if my needs were moderate and the 3 HP 20" Steel City if my needs were heavy.

Do I feel the $1279 and $1849 are warranted for what I mentioned above? I feel that the two guys who started Steel City (former big wigs with Jet and Delta) have taken a large gamble with their own money with start-up. They have parlayed their know-ledge and experience with manufacturers IMO and listened to the customers needs ( it's about time) in the $1000-$2000 price range. They have delivered what I consider the best Pacific Rim BS line on the market in that price range...barr none!

And no, I don't work for Steel City and have to get to work at Year One where I deal with automotive machinery from yester-year. :>) But.. please don't just take the word of a dumb ole country boy from Georgia. Go take a look and make the comparison your-self. It would be time well spent IMO, and of course this is just my opinion after having spent around 9 hours making the side by side comparisons pitting machine against machine...

www.steelcitytoolworks.com

Regards...

[CrashResq]

Wow... thank you for that reply Sarge... I have to go to Oklahoma City this Thursday and there is a Steel City Toolworks distributor there. I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if they are stocking any of the Steel City tools... specifically the bandsaws. If so I'll take a look.

[Hoover]

It looks like you're in luck for OKC:
Whitton Supply

1419 West Reno

Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Phone: 405-236-5561

Fax: 405-236-5595

Toll-Free: 800-777-5561

http://www.whittonsupply.com

[SARGE..g-47]

You're quite welcome, Bill. I have been fascinated by tools since I was a kid. Had my sights on becoming a mcechanical engineer and made it through the first quarter of Ga. Tech on a co-op program (attend a quarter.. work a quarter). But.. the Viet Nam war was in full swing and I got a draft notice. Got to be a Ranger at absolutely no charge in lieu of engineer ( :>) ) and could never get back on the college track after I returned from VN.

Being here in Atlanta, I have the capability of comparing machines a lot better than most, so I do it as I am still fascinated by them. It sometimes lends a helping hand to those that are in the market and can't physically compare themselves.

BTW.. I omiited that there are double trunnions under the cast table for better support. Nothing more fun than having a 4' log on your table for re-saw and the table collapses. That's one of the few times I use some of those choice words that I learned from those Navy guys. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

Good luck in your quest for that BS...

[wassaw998]

I have read some really bad stuff on the newer Rikon 10-345, something about the tensioning and tracking - if you do a google on it, you'll find the hits. Think there were also issues with vibration, and the upper wheel having a lot of excess play. For those reasons, I'd stay clear of the new Rikon. I like SARGE's write up, to me, most of the 18" lower end BS's have some issues - that is, they tend to not stack up well, but, I can't touch a Laugna or a MiniMax, just too much $$$. The 14" Cast Iron BS's (which I have one) leave something to be desired IMHO, which I think a real nice 18" BS would overcome. I think Jet has a 18" with 3HP motor, but, I've not seen it anywhere. Unless I could hold the Grizzly in my hand, I'd not even consider it, just too risky for me.

I am real interested in the Steel City 18 " BS, and since Redmond's is right around the corner, I'll be checking it out (well, once I can walk again). To date however, I have not seen any write up from someone who has cut wood on these saws, so - I'm a bit leary. But, that will come out soon I am sure. Hope they are great machines, because like SARGE says, the price to me is a good one.