04-06-2014, 4:30 PM #1 im in the market for a new band saw 14 inch I was sold on the grizzly g0555 then read about the rikon 10-325 the rikon is more money any one have either of these saws and can give me suggestions im a smallshop person16x24 this is the first real band saw I purchase I had a sears 12 inch before for years…is the quality there with grizzly or is rikon over stated thanks for your help. The Grizzly is a cast iron saw whereas the Rikon is of welded steel construction. “Depends what you want a bandsaw for. If it is for resaw, you want the bigger saw, like the Grizzly 0513. If you are wanting to cut curves or small items, then a 14” might meet your needs, although a scroll saw may too.
I also like the larger cast iron table, not sure how big the Griz’s table is. I got mine on sale at Woodcraft for $699 in November.
The recommendations I have seen most are the Laguna 1412, Rikon 10-326 and the Grizzly G0513. “They are all about the same price, with the nod in price going to the Rikon. The Grizzly has the advantage of being a 17″ and 2HP versus the other two being 14″ and 1.75HP but I don’t see much advantage in that respect as both the Lugana and the Rikon have 1.75HP and from everything I’ve read easily have enough power to resaw 13” of hardwood. The Rikon and the Lugana seem to have better/larger fences than the grizzly.
To help you make your purchase decision I researched woodworkers’ and expert reviewers opinions on 14 inch bandsaws in 30+ different articles and forum threads. Notable PWBS-14CS Reviews:”It ranked high for performance among its cast-iron brethren, but the wheels were misaligned by more than 1/8 in. on the machine we tested.”Thomas McKenna of Fine Woodworking on the PowermaticRanked 2nd of 8 by Fine Woodworking ReadersPOWERMATIC PWBS-14 Bandsaw Recommended by Tom Hintz >>Tom Hintz on video about the PMA “Top 3” 14 inch band saw at 3luxe. Notable G0457 Reviews:WoodNet Tool Review – Grizzly G0457 14″ Deluxe Bandsaw >>”Dust collection works well, though installing a blade is tough. The tension is easy to set and adjust, with an intuitive quick-release mechanism. The tracking knobs are a good size. The tall fence included with the saw slides smoothly, locks surely, and is great for resawing. Curve cuts were no problem, and resaw cuts were of fine quality.”Thomas McKenna of Fine Woodworking on the G0457 >>8th of 8 by Readers, Awarded Best Value 14 inch bandsaw by Fine Woodworking.
The drawback is this: Since Grizzly changed to the bigger table and much, much heavier fence, my top limit is now 11 7/8″. It ain’t much, but I recently traded messages with a fellow who thought the 1 1/8″ between the Rikon and the Grizzly was a big deal. I’d go for the bigger size, no matter whether it’s Grizzly or Rikon. That’s not to say the Rikon is not a fantastic bandsaw though because I’m quite fond of it.
They’re extremely familiar with both the Laguna ceramic guides and the Rikon guides and prefer Rikon’s. The Rikon fence has an innovative dial to easily adjust it’s parallel-ness with the blade-which again no other saw in this class has. 1) Rikon 326.: Top guides and many features not found on other saws, good fence.
rikon vs grizzly bandsaw Related Question:
Where are Rikon bandsaws manufactured?
RIKON’s ISO9001 certified factory in located in Qingdao, China. In addition to being officially IS09001 certified, they utilize the systems of 6-Sigma and 5S Management. This assures consistent, top quality products, allowing us to stand behind our products with a 5-year warranty.
Can a Rikon bandsaw cut metal?
for optimizing cut performance in brass alloys up to stainless steel. Miter angle cuts are possible up to 45°. The blade can be fed into the material manually or controlled automatically and hands-free with a spring-assist torsion system.
What does 14 mean on a bandsaw?
Rob Johnstone: Band saw sizes are derived from the diameter of the wheels in the saw. So a 14-inch band saw will have wheels that are 14-inches in diameter. There is another measure that indicates how wide a board you can resaw.
What should I look for in a bandsaw?
The two main things to consider when choosing a band saw are the depth of cut and the throat. The saw’s depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides. Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw.
Who owns Rikon?
The five-year-old company, founded by Erin Riley, offers well-made imported tools geared to the serious woodworker. What sets them apart is their knack for pairing reasonable prices with some surprising innovations.
Where are grizzly bandsaws made?
Grizzly machines now made in China.
Where are Laguna Tools made?
Laguna Tools is proud to announce the opening of their new 115,000 square foot manufacturing facility and showroom in Grand Prairie Texas. Laguna Tools, based in Irvine, California, has been leading the industry in woodworking innovations for 36 years and continues to challenge the industry with new advancements.
What is a band saw used for?
A bandsaw (also written band saw) is a power saw with a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material. They are used principally in woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering, but may cut a variety of materials.
What is the smallest band saw?
The Proxxon Micro Saw is by far the smallest, lightest, most easily portable and stowable saw in this bunch. It has only 5-7⁄8″ of throat depth and about 3-3⁄8″ of cutting depth.
How thick of wood can a 9 band saw cut?
There are several $99, 9 inch band saws on the market in my area (Ryobi, Skill). The are able to cut a thickness of 2 ½ inches.
Which is the best hobby bandsaw?
Our top choice of band saw, the JET JWBS-14DXPRO (view at Tool Nut), is powerful, versatile, and durable enough even for a professional, but is also well suited to the workshop of an avid DIY woodworker or hobbyist.
How much HP does a bandsaw need?
A 3/4 or 1 HP bandsaw is pefectly adequate for re-sawing stock at home….
How high can a bandsaw cut?
The resaw capacity is the maximum height (thickness) that can be cut. For the small shop furniture maker, go with 14″ as the minimum for a bandsaw, though 16″ is better. Those doing larger work might even want 18″ or 20″ machines. Just make sure you have a minimum resaw height of 12″ for versatility.
What is the difference between a band saw and a table saw?
Instead of the solid, circular plate of steel with carbide teeth on a table saw, the blade of the band saw is exactly that—a narrow, flexible band of steel with teeth formed along one edge. The band saw blade is stretched and driven between two or three wheels.
Where are jet tools made?
Headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, JPW Industries, Inc. manufactures and markets a wide range of machinery and equipment under the JET, Powermatic, Wilton, Edwards and Promac brands. In addition to its La Vergne headquarters, the company has operations in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, France, Taiwan, and China.