Nother Band Saw question

[charliex]

Awhile back some WW mag did a review on low cost 10 inch band saws. Anyone here remember which mag? I'm thinking they suggested a Skill model. I'm looking to upgrade my 10 year old 10" Delta. and any input is welcome.
Thanks in advance

[JoeyGee]

Quick Google search brings this up:

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Ma...ews-10091.aspx

I have the Craftsman:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-3-h...p-00921400000P

I like it. I didn't use it for years after being frustrated with it, but recently I added a new blade and tuned it up. I've been making a few band saw boxes lately. It is under powered, but it will cut through 4"+ of hardwood. I do not do any resawing with it. I do need to go SLOW, though.

All that being said, I really, really want bigger with more power now. It works for what I do, but if I had to do it over, I would get a 14".

[Black wallnut]

Charlie since you are asking for any input have you considered a 14" model? I know they are a lot more money but they also are much more saw.

[LCHIEN]

Bandsaws are good for cutting curves and cutting thick wood.
a small bandsaw like a 10" is limited to curves (because of limited height under the guard) and also to size of the piece being cut because of the closeness of the vertical support arm.

A 14" band saw really is the point where both capacities really start to accommodate a wide range of work and the prices are still reasonable.

I would not get a 10" bandsaw unless you are sure that you will be working on small projects.

that said Rikon makes a 10" that's reputed to be very nice.
http://www.atgstores.com/band-saws/r...g&gclsrc=aw.ds
I don't know the store, this link is the first one that came up when I googled 10" Rikon but other dealer have it as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Rikon-10-305-B.../dp/B0032YZB2S

[capncarl]

I have never regretted getting away from the small bench top band saws. I literally gave away the last 2 I owned. A 14" with good blades and a good fence could become the main tool in your shop.

[leehljp]

I thought that a 10 inch would be good for cutting pen blanks and bought a Delta 10 in a few years ago. WRONG! I fiddled and fiddled, changed blades, set the guides, added some other after market guides, tensioned however I could. Changes made micrometer at a time but nothing worked. One of the worst purchased I have ever made.

That said, as Loring wrote, the Rikon 10 gets fairly good reviews and Sears used to sell a Rikon look-a-like that had fair reviews at one time.

[tfischer]

I wish I could remember the model number, but I bought a 10" Ryobi benchtop band saw for our church's boy's group when one of theirs went bad last year. I got it on Craigslist and it was really quite nice of a saw, especially considering I paid like $70 for it (used, but in excellent condition).

For my home shop, I have a 14" Harbor Freight which serves me very well after a few upgrades. As others have said, it's a night and day difference in versatility.

[JSUPreston]

I thought that a 10 inch would be good for cutting pen blanks and bought a Delta 10 in a few years ago. WRONG! I fiddled and fiddled, changed blades, set the guides, added some other after market guides, tensioned however I could. Changes made micrometer at a time but nothing worked. One of the worst purchased I have ever made.

That said, as Loring wrote, the Rikon 10 gets fairly good reviews and Sears used to sell a Rikon look-a-like that had fair reviews at one time.

I had pretty much the same experience with a Craftsman 9" saw. I got the Rikon/C'man 12" when they still sold those. Really nice saw for me right out of the box. Don't get me wrong, the portability of the 9" was great, and I did a couple of decent things with it, but it just wasn't that good of a saw. Seemed designed for rough cutting only.

I wound up giving the old band saw, a basic miter saw, and my original POS C'man table saw to my in-laws to take to NOLA after Katrina. They gave them to a group that was helping the rebuild, and apparently they were grateful for the tools.