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Keith Z. Leonard
Go Steelers! -
Considered it recently when upgrading my BS. Went instead with the Rikon deluxe 14". Has same size motor as most 16", and even bigger re-saw capacity. Top rated saw in most tests, and $200 cheaper than the Jet 16". But the Jet is a good saw nonetheless. -
Well if I sell the pieces I've recently taken off the lathe in the weeks leading up to the Holidays, there is definitely a Rikon in my future..If I win the lottery though, I'd get the Laguna....http://www.lagunatools.com/lt24.htm .. There are a couple further up the food chain but they require 3 Phase power and I don't feel like messing with a converter and I'm in the sticks...Guy Cox
Life isn\'t like a box of chocolates...it\'s more like a jar of jalapenos.
What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.Comment
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Well all, I was asking about this specific saw because I have an opportunity to get one for quite a bit less than the Rikon at the moment. It looks to be a good bandsaw to me, but wanted to know if others had any experience with one. I do quite a bit of work on the BS, and a good deal of it is resawing veneers. While my current 14" does an acceptable job, after my woodslicer dulls a bit, I get too much blade play when resawing things of over about 7", or in really dense hardwoods. I was thinking that the larger 3/4" or 1" blades may help to eleviate some of this.Keith Z. Leonard
Go Steelers!Comment
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That's different, then. My neighbor has one of them, and loves it. I believe that even in our small town, if he were to sell it for $500, there's be 10 or 15 people lined up (with me at the head of the line).
He doesn't think he resaws, however, "just makes some boards out of the firewood logs".Comment
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Crap! Hit refresh button and lost my diatribe post!
Anyway . . .
Not picking the saw apart but here are the negatives that I see . . .
10" resaw limitation
1.5 HP . .. really?
Euro guides verus bearing guides (I like double bearing)
Table is small at 17 x 17
No fence. No resaw fence.
No miter gauge (who cares?)
I would not put a 1" blade on 16" wheels
Single dust chute. WOuld like to see one at top and bottom of bottom wheel.
310 lbs . . not a real heavy weight.
No quick tension (!)
What is with the gloating about rack and pinon height adjustment? Most saws this size have this feature dont they?
So, I dont know what you currently have, but is this a really big upgrade? 1.5 hp with 10" resaw capacity? Both seem weak, especially the 1.5 HP.
Question: How much mileage are you getting out of the woodslicer? I was really happy with inital performance, but it seems that it got dull pretty darn quick.Comment
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I think the 10" resaw is fairly realistic considering the 1.5 hp. I have a 1hp craftsman euro style at the moment, and I've been pretty happy with it but for the resaw. It's at 8", which is just fine honestly, I don't often find myself wanting to resaw more than that, it's just that I get a few good slices of veneer off a new sharp blade and then it stops tracking correct, etc....
Perhaps it's just the blade, I'm sure the 1hp contributes as well. Basically this is a medium upgrade, but inexpensive to do, and it's about the biggest saw that'll fit in my current shop.
Honestly, the woodslicer was amazing for the first several veneer cuts, but it's not been under heavy use, and I don't feel that I've done enough to really warrant it being dull. So I have mixed feelings about it.
I'm not TOO surprised about the lack of quick tension, that still seems to be touch and go depending upon the saw. I figured if the bearings got too annoying, I'd go with carter down the road.Keith Z. Leonard
Go Steelers!Comment
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I use 3/4" resaw blades I got from Iturra Design in Jacksonville (1-888-722-7078). No website for the moment, but call and get their catalog. It's a veritable bible of bandsaw info, and of parts to beef up most makes of saw (guides, springs, etc.).Comment
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When I reference Woodslicer, I mean the exact copy sold by Iturra. I forget what he calls it. I did a pretty decent review of pricing etc and it was about HALF of Highlands Woodslicer and the identical blade off of the same manufac line.
They definately need a website. I was looking forward to the catalog with my order but alas no catalog in the box.Comment
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See Crackers post below. If you are going to go through a bunch of "Woodslicers" Iturra sells the identical blade for about half of Highlands. I assumed that was what you were referencing.
Again, I was not beating up the saw, rather just making sure you knew about the potential issues. Most of those issues can be addressed, at a certain cost, but again that was what I was trying to make sure you didn't get involved in at your detriment. IE Carter quick tension $150, Carter Guides $150, rip and resaw fence $100, etc and end up with a below average performance saw that you have $1500 invested in.
Sounds like you know what you are getting into and that it fits your needs.Comment
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Jeffrey, I appreciate all of your information, it is indeed relevant. Does carter make a quick tension for this saw? I didn't see one on their site. The guides are 220$ from carter, the rip and resaw would come with it in this deal...Keith Z. Leonard
Go Steelers!Comment
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They are working on a website, but progress is slow. Their Woodslicer is called the Bladerunner. It is the same bladestock, but Iturra welds up their own, and is doing better welds than Highlands is of late. Also, they don't overlength their blades, so people won't have tension adjustment problems on their saws.
Jeff, I have an extra catalog, so PM me with your mailing addy and I'll send it to you.Comment
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