Comments about larger band saws

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Texatdurango

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Seems like this wood turning is a never ending money pit! [:0] The faithful Craftsman 12" bandsaw I have had for almost 30 years has finally met it's match... a 7" log!

Recently I went to a friends place and cut down a nice mesquite tree, cut it into short managable sections and have been playing with some of the smaller branches but now have run out of stuff that will slide under the 6" of clearance the saw has. I'm getting ready to start turning some larger stuff so maybe the timing is perfect.

I have been looking at new larger band saws and not wanting to spend a fortune or go to 220 electric, like what I see in the Rikon 10-325. Looks like it has 12" height clearance which is the only reason to be buying another saw.

Anyone have this saw? Or has anyone researched before me and found something they consider to be better?

Comments welcome.
 
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Originally posted by stevers
<br />You thought of riser blocks. Save $$$
Click to expand...
I read a few threads over on another woodworking forum about saws and risers, don't know a lot about them but would just as soon stay with a machine that is designed for the capacity.

After reading some other threads and discussions, I've half a mind to go even larger. Who knows, I might need the capacity and power some day.

Thanks for the thought.
 
George,
As folks move in & out of hobbies, there's always a deal floating around.
I bought a Laguna LT-16 including two Carbide 1" wide 3 TPI blades and a slew
of other size blades lightly used for $600.00.
I'd watch craigslist, the local want ads, and WN SNS or the SMC forums and get the biggest iron I could find.
My $.02
 
You need to decide how much resawing you might be doing to justify the investment. My Grizzly G0555 has a 6" limit. But, I kinda stretch that by slabbing the sides on many pieces. This aids in drying and can make an 8" log a 6" square cant that will fit. This model does have an optional riser for making 12" resaws. It also has a two-speed feature for more power, at lower speed, to the blade.
 
I've been very happy with a 19" Shop Fox I acquired approx 2 yrs ago.
It is, though, 220v power. I think it can be rewired to 110v. If you can find a deal... I most always go for bigger with machines. Of course quality is looked at also. I read so many posts on other forums about jointers. Most people, after using a 6", are ready to move up to an 8" after a short while of use.
As said earlier... You need to think about the tools day to day use.

Just my 2 cents ....
 
George... When I built my shop this past year I bought a Powermatic and within a week went and put a riser block on it. I couldn't be happier as I have yet to have a problem cutting up anything I wanted to bandsaw.

I know that a different blade is a must when re-sawing and I have several types hanging on the wall. Being that it is a task to change the blade I stock up on larger pieces and do all them at once.

I would like to read some of the articles you have read that point out any problems with riser set-ups. Could you post a link or two please? Thanks! [:D]
 
Originally posted by Fred_erick
<br />...I would like to read some of the articles you have read that point out any problems with riser set-ups. Could you post a link or two please? Thanks! [:D]
Click to expand...

You mis-read my post. I never saw any negative things about risers, just that I had read about them and was not familiar enough to go one way or another so I opt to stay with a machine that is designed at a certain capacity.

But..... It's all acedemic now, I bought the Rikon 10-325 this afternoon, got it home and all set up and just cut my first 11" log in half. So far I'm all grins!

Thanks for the suggestions.

George
 
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