10 inch bandsaw

77
20
Feedback please...
Considering adding a 10 inch bandsaw to my shop.  I've had my eye on the Rikon 10-3061 and with current Menards 11% rebate, I can get it (pre-tax) delivered to the store for pickup at $462.79  (https://www.menards.com/main/tools/power-tools/power-saws/band-saws/rikon-reg-10-deluxe-band-saw/10-3061/p-377646779763825-c-1537277164161.htm)

Or, I noted the Grizzly GO948 which is also ½ HP for $375 (pretax; I'm near their Springfield store so I would do a pickup rather than shipping as it seems like most things come damaged!).  https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-10-1-2-hp-bandsaw/g0948



20 Replies

barb ask birdseye about the rikon he has one. and he just bought it's big brother so i think he's pretty happy with em ?

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Barb, I’ve got that exact saw. As long as you use it within spec and don’t try to put too big a blade on it, it works great! I haven’t had any issue with it. When it starts to cut a little wonky, it’s always been an issue of the blade dulling. 

One thing I’ve learned with bandsaws: blades don’t last anywhere near as long as you think they should. Find a place you like (sawblades.com is good) and buy a couple blades, and make sure you understand what blade configuration you’re buying and why. 

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Rikon in its price bracket. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Yes, I'm leaning toward the Rikon.  Spoke with one of their CS a while back and was impressed.  That's always an important aspect for me. 
I own the Grizzly G0948 and have been very happy with it. Some days I wish I still had a 14" bandsaw with a riser, but most of the time I’m better off working small anyhow, and it’s safer for me to cut logs in half with a chainsaw on a pair of sawbucks.

Dust collection on the Grizzly is so-so. And I don’t like changing blades on it, but I’ve never seen a bandsaw that makes changing blades EASY, so there’s that. Alignment is pretty easy to correct if something goes wrong, but it seldom does.

And yeah, budget for about twice as many blades as you think you’ll use. I have a hair trigger on changing mine now. First cut that starts to wander more than I think it ought, I slap on a new blade and the saw cuts like a champ again. That said, I wish it would take blades wider than ½" - I cut almost all straight lines with it, and I really liked the ¾" resaw blades I had on my old Delta 14. 

May you have the day you deserve!

Have you considered a Grizzly 14" ?. That extra throat comes in handy and you can raise it to 12" high with the riser kit later down the road!! We have a 12" in our Az shop and I often wish it was a 14"

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

i agree about waiting too long to change blades. i run a 1/4" on my 16" and when it broke one day and i put on a new blade i realized id pushed it way too far. the new one cut like a hot knife through butter !

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I have a 14" Rikon so this would be for smaller work.  I still have the original blade as I've been avoiding trying to change the blade 🙄😬 Sounds like I need to grow up and change that!

Thanks Ryan and Dave for the perspectives on the two options I'm considering.  
yeah barb due to the cost and PITA i think we all go too long ?

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Hmmm...the Rikin 10-310 is on sale for $266.99 (includes a stand).  It is 1/3 HP compared to 1/2 HP for the Rikon 10-3061 or the Grizzly G0948.  Considering I have my 14" for bigger cuts and any resaw, considering if the 1/3 HP would be a good choice (or if I would regret the lower HP...more power is always better).  This would be for tighter cuts that are difficult with the wider blade on my current bandsaw.

Not that it’s an ‘always’ but remember that cutting tight curves puts strain on the motor since there’s a lot more friction. While more HP is generally a good thing anyway, it’s something to consider. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

When you say that this is for smaller work, do you find that your 14" isn't working well for that?  The 14" should be able to do anything that the 10" saw can with the right blade on it and right setup.  

--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

I understand the 14 "should" handle a range, but honestly, changing blades is an obstacle. 🤷‍♀️ Would rather have a setup ready to go on the ends of the spectrum.  So, luxury rather than necessity.  
All of my latest mid to big tool buys have been Rikon. 2 times I needed cust service, and both times they smacked it outta the park, and went way over my expectations. Plus with them you get 5 years of coverage. That deal at Menards is also on a stand, which retail is around 600 bux, so that sale is a nice deal. I am not sure I need a third BS, but that deal has me pondering.
That one (10-310) is only 1/3 HP which is my concern with potentially being under-powered.  Even the Rikon webpage notes it as "entry level...that do not require large cutting capacity and power..." 

The 10-3061 has several updated features and the 1/2 HP is attractive.  I have gone with lower end on a few purchases, and have had some regret (e.g., small tabletop drill press that is "weak" and requires a lot of patience to get a task completed).
Get the 10-3061 Barb, you won’t regret it. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Haha...just had a conversation with my husband and he was laughing at how I overanalyze and debate with myself over with these decisions.  🤔

I can always count on you all to help me spend more $$.  😉  Cry once...
Done 🥲
Pick-up at store by middle of next week. 🙂
👍🏼👍🏼

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Nice!  I hate changing bandsaw blades.  If I had room for 3 bandsaws, I would have them.  

--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

good choice barb. like they say with clamps, you can never have too many band saws 😁 with 3 band saws and a scroll saw im pretty well covered !

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.