Bandsaw and Jointer

[bradley_osu]

So I'm kind of in the market for a band saw and a joiner. By kind of in the market I mean that I'm passively looking for one, that I need to get one eventually if I feel compelled or find a great steal on craigslist then I'll jump but for now it's on the backburner and I'm just collecting information. So here I am just collecting information. So how about it any suggestions?

I have a small shop, cost is not too much of an issue but space is. As such I'm looking at 6" jointers. I'm pretty set on 6" don't feel the need for an 8" right now and even if I did, I don't really have the space. In a few years maybe but not now. Pretty high on my list is the Ridgid 6" jointer, was wondering if anyone have any experience with it or any other suggestions.

As for the band saw I'm looking in the 12-14" range. High on my list are the ridgid 14", and the craftsman 12". I like the resaw capacity of the craftsman, but I was wondering if the c styles like the ridgid can have a riser block to increase resaw. With this riser how stable is the saw? Is it worth it or does performance go to ****? Anyone with any experience with either of those band saws? Any other suggestions?

As always, looking forward to the extremely helpful advice from this forum.

[jackellis]

I have the 14" Ridgid with a more powerful motor (1+ hp) and a riser block. Works well enough for me.

I believe most of the 14 inch C-style saws are made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan and the only differences are cosmetic.

I would replace the tensioning knob with the QuickCrank. Makes putting tension on and taking tension off the blade a snap. The knobs that come on most 14 inch bandsaws suck eggs and make you want to get rid of the tool. You may or may not want to replace the spring - how much tension you should use is apparently not a settled matter

I've tried an Iturra resaw blade and like it, but some have had good luck with BC Saw bandsaw blades that are less costly. We'll see - I have four coming in soon.

[drumpriest]

Woah, not true, the Ridgid has a 3/4 hp motor which is NOT more powerful than the craftsman 14", which is a 1hp motor. you can put a riser on it, but at 3/4 hp you would have issues resawing stock 12" thick, at least with some hardwoods that are notoriously difficult to resaw. The 12" craftsman has a 3/4 hp motor as well, with 1" additional resaw.

I had the craftsman 14" and thought it was a great saw. I got it on sale for about 380$, and it served me well until I decided to get into an 18".

As for the jointer, I don't think the Ridgid is bad deal, really. You may be able to get as good a jointer cheaper if you waiting for sales, etc...

Note: If you are going to resaw veneer (which is what I mostly resaw), then the jointer capacity will limit you before the bandsaw resaw capacity. I have an 8" jointer and a 12" resaw, but to do 12" I'd need to run the rough face through the planer after each slice, assuming that the board was flat to start. I do this at times with the drum sander. It's a lot easier if the board will go over my jointer, as I can take a really lite cut and have a nice flat surface to reference off of my high resaw fence to get nice thin slices.

[180x]

I have the Ridgid 6" joiner that I got off eBay new for $200 (I had to drive 160 miles to pick it up). I just started using it this month. It's pretty cool. However it is the only joiner I've used so I can't compare it anything.

I also have the Craftsman 14" band saw. I haven't used it yet (it was on one of those Sears Craftsman’s Club deals I couldn't pass up). But mostly everyone seems to think that it is a pretty good saw, as drumpriest mentioned. That is the reason I chose it over the Ridgid.

[Uncle Cracker]

I have the Rikon Deluxe 14" bandsaw and Deluxe 6" jointer. Excellent specs for both, prices in the lower range for this type tool, and available at Woodcraft (I see you have a local store) without a freight charge. Love 'em both... no problems or disappointments whatsoever. Both have gone on sale from time to time, or you could take a WW class at Woodcraft, and get 10% off on the day of your class (I think).

[bradley_osu]

I had seen the Rikon bandsaws, I had not seen the jointer. Definitely have to put that jointer on the list. I'm aware that technically I won't need a resaw capacity larger than 6" given the jointer, but as mentioned I don't plan on having a 6" jointer forever... just for the moment. I was just hoping for possible flexibility in the future. I would get a bigger jointer but bigger jointers take up a lot more space, compared to bandsaws where you increase size but the footprint doesn't really take up that much more space.

In general it seems that you all agree that the ridgid jointer is a quality machine (though I definitely will look at that rikon). Likewise, the Ridgid bandsaw is perhaps not the best way to go? A question about the 14" craftsman, can that one get the increased resaw capacity that the rikon can? Again I know it's not necessary now but for the future perhaps. Any other options that are recommended in that size range?

[Uncle Cracker]

The Craftsman 14" bandsaw has an 8" resaw capacity, and will not accept riser blocks or anything else to increase that. I can recall from my research at the time that no other 14" saw could match the 13" resaw capacity of the Rikon. I was, in fact, looking at more expensive 17" saws when Gwyneth turned me on to the Rikon. The Rikon also comes with a 1.5-hp motor, whereas other brands of 14" usually are 1-hp or even 3/4-hp. Likewise with the 1.5-hp motor on the 6" Deluxe jointer.

[jackellis]

Woah, not true, the Ridgid has a 3/4 hp motor which is NOT more powerful than the craftsman 14", which is a 1hp motor.

Stock Ridgid 14" saw do come with a 3/4 hp motor. Should have made clear mine was modified by the luthier I bought it from.

There's also a good article on bandsaws in Fine Woodworking from about mid-2004 you should read if you can find it. The author does things a bit differently than some of the other experts. He recommends less expensive Starrett blades welded and sold by BC Saw out of Toronto.

[poolhound]

I had seen the Rikon bandsaws, I had not seen the jointer. Definitely have to put that jointer on the list. I'm aware that technically I won't need a resaw capacity larger than 6" given the jointer, but as mentioned I don't plan on having a 6" jointer forever...

Remember you can always face joint on a TP (assuming you have one). I know its an ongoing and raging debate but as I am short on space also I chose to get the planer and not a jointer. I can edge joint with the router either at the table or with a template and with a sled can face joint up to 13" (the capacity of my TP). Having tried thicknessing and planing with the router and hand plane methods its a chore, messy and the surface is still not perfect. Hence my choice for the TP.

Sorry to throw another variable into your decision but if you are getting the BS for resawing why limit yourslef to the width of the jointer .......

[Workman]

I have the Grizzly 555X modified with 2 hp motor and Carter guide system (both small blade and 5 wheel system), 13 inch planer and 6 inch jointer. In my opinion the key to resawing is not only capacity, but also bandsaw tension (the more the better for resawing) and technique. The type of wood you are resawing is important. Also, if you can resaw 12' stock you have less waste since you can choose what portion of the board needs to be cut out for knots, etc. but have a larger area to choose from. Every time you reduce the size of a board, you have more waste. Just another thing to think about.

[bradley_osu]

I like that Grizzly... nice price too. What 2 hp motor did you use?

[guycox]

Book matched stock -- resaw the nice free log. Trim off the wane/bark edge and then face joint the book matched pieces. Bookmatched veneer demands a premium.. go for the big resaw. I have the Rikon delux and am darn glad I have it...

[drumpriest]

Yep Guy, bookmatched veneer is an excellent and inexpensive way to make outstanding looking furniture. Mostly though, I only resaw my own for marquetry purposes. I have not yet lucked into an excellent free chunk of walnut burl.

[Red88chevy]

Have both the Ridgid jointer and bandsaw. Like the jointer, wish I had gotten another bandsaw. Rikon bandsaw looks good.

[BrazosJake]

I have all Ridgid; jointer, planer, bandsaw. No complaints about any. The bandsaw can be a bit finicky, but keep a decent blade on it and it's fine. I have a 1 1/2 HP 1725 rpm motor I keep meaning to put on it, but power just hasn't really been an issue. Besides, my next shop "upgrade" will be either a jointer or bandsaw.