ryobi bs900 vs. c-man rikon knock off

[toolguy1000]

anyone care to offer an opinion of the BS900 vs. that 10" c-man that looks like it's a clone of the same sized rikon? there's a 900 on CL for $40 and it's not one of those new blue plastic things that are featured @ HD. this 900 is gray adn based on the serial #, i'm guessing it dates to '93. no fence or miter gauge. i'm just thinking about a second small BS to supplement my 18".

[eccentrictinkerer]

I've owned two of the Ryobi 9" BS's and now own the Craftsman/Rikon 10" (only $100 due to an alert on this forum!)

There is no comparison! The Craftsman is a real tool. I made a dozen corbels last summer out of 4x6 treated. The little saw cut thru like 'buttah'. Cutting 4x4 material was the reason I bought the saw.

There's a setup/tune-up guide, written by a user, somewhere on the 'Net, maybe here, that will make the saw perfect.

Much as would have liked to have had a more 'manly' saw I had neither the space or the need for one.

The only negative is the odd blade length, but Sears still stocks them and I get them made locally.

Go for the Craftsman, IMO.

[dbhost]

I've seen both models of band saw up close and personal... There really is no comparison. The C-man beats the Ryobi hands down.

[Stytooner]

I've owned both as well and I have to say that while the Crman is the better machine, the little Ryobi was a workhorse. I used it daily for several years. It didn't give up. I gave it to a neighbor when I got the deal on the Crman. I would say it is worth every bit of $40.

[mpc]

I haven't used the Ryobi but I do have the C-man 10 incher... and I still use it to supplement my new Rikon 14 inch BS. The C-man works quite well for me. I replaced the table with one that sits directly on the lower wheelhouse - loosing tilt capability but gaining almost an inch in resaw capacity. That, plus a new upper guide assembly I made myself (replaces the stock one) got almost another inch of resaw. My C-man now has just over 7" of resaw (vertical cut height) capacity which is just enough for the type of bandsaw boxes I'd been making - and it chops through maple wood blocks no problem. Smooth cuts, very little vibration, and enough motor horsepower to deal with 7" thick maple = winner in my book.

Woodcraft has started carrying the Olson 70 1/2" blades needed by this saw. I used to buy 72" inch blades in local stores and shortened them myself when I needed one "right now" and didn't want to wait for a mail order. Or you can order them directly from Olson's web page. Just about any bandsaw blade supplier will make blades to whatever length you need anyway; often the price is based on a range of lengths (i.e. $15 for 68 to 73 inch blades) anyway. Iturra is another blade source that folks recommend.

Interestingly enough, the Craftsman "Rikon clone" I think is actually better than the Rikon version. The Craftsman table is better, the resaw capacity is a little better, etc. The only downside is the "non standard" blade length... but that's not worth worrying about since the right size blade is readily available now.

mpc

[cwsmith]

I can't speak directly for the Ryobi BS900. I had a BS901 for about a week and took it back and a few months later bought the BS902 which was a much better model. I still have it and it has served me pretty well and I have had no complaints whatsoever with it. Although it's cover is plastic, and the table and frame is aluminum, it has a decent cast iron base, cuts true with no vibration and takes up very little space. The current BS903 has some improvements with it's all bearing guides, but doesn't come with a fence (no big deal, IMO). It's priced at $100 with a 2-year warranty and I think it is a good buy.

The Craftsman 9" though, is very popular and I've seriously considered purchasing it, though that's hard to justify as my Ryobi works well. My next bandsaw will be something significantly bigger. But, the Craftsman is built like a tank, cast iron table, welded steel frame, steel cover, etc. It is much stiffer than the Ryobi and therefore can take more belt tension; and it has a larger cast iron table (IIRC). Certainly a much better "build" material-wise, than the Ryobi. The 10" model is closer to $250, I believe, and the 9" model is around $100 to $120 (though I haven't priced one recently). Occasionally they are on sale.

In my opinion, I'd pass on the BS900 Ryobi. I didn't like the BS901 and I think that was an "improved" design. For $40 it sounds like it's a good buy, but not if it doesn't live up to your expectations. For only a little more you could get a newer model with a warranty. Ryobi offers a 30-day "Satisfaction" warranty (take it back if you don't like it). But, the Craftsman has a significant list of good comments on it's web site and certainly the positive testimony of fellow forum members.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[Bill in Buena Park]

I also haven't owned a BS900 or Cman 10in, but I've had the BS903 a good while, and as Lee said, its a workhorse. But if I could find a nice used BS1001SV, I'd buy it and sell the BS903.

[Knottscott]

The 10" Cman has a cast iron table and weighs a lot more than the BS900. IIRC, the Cman also has much greater cutting height. My BS900 worked ok for a lightweight BS, but I have no doubt that the 10" Cman is a much more substantial saw.