Hi all. This is first time to the Knots Forum as I am new subscriber to the FWW magazine. I’m a DIYer and live in central New Jersey. Currently, most of my projects include building a Pergola, table style vanity and cabinet for a laundry room.
My current problem is trying to decide on a band saw to purchase. In a recent cover story i noticed a Delta 28-241 14″ bandsaw was being used in resaw blade test. I thought that would be a great choice and would be able to avoid the hassle of comparison shopping. Then I learned I would need to purchase and install a height attachment kit to be able to resaw anything over 6-1/4″. This ofcourse would to the cost of the saw. I figured this would be okay because I’ll getting a Delta machine, one of best. Then this month’s magazine features an article on 18″ bandsaws which ofcourse can resaw plenty. The Rikon was choosen as best overall value. I fugure its about the same price as the Delta 14″ and I don’t have to fuss with any kits.
I would appreciate any and all input about which way I should go? Thanks in advanvce.
Replies
You are comparing apples and oranges by placing an American made Delta up against the Chinese made Rikon Saw. Delta is now making a less expensive Taiwanese or Chinese version of their 14 inch saw and Jet and a number of other companies also make nicely finished Taiwanese versions of the 14 inch saw. Look at the price of a 14 inch Taiwanese saw with a riser block and use that when making a comparison to the Rikon saw.
By the way, the resaw capacity of the Rikon 18 inch saw is actually slightly less than the resaw capacity of a 14 inch saw with a riser block.
John W.
I don't mean to make your decision more complicated, but if you're adept at tinkering, there is another option. Get a big old saw, like a 36", and then you can do anything with it. I bought my old 36"er for $400. They usually require a little TLC, but what a payback!
That article left out the MM18, you might want to look at it before you take the plunge, and MM has a great new 16" model that they have a really good price on. The MM16 has big resaw capacity, so if the 14" Delta with a riser is OK for you, then the 16" Mini Max would be plenty of machine.
Just want to point out that Minimax offers two 16" machines; the MM16 (which I have and really like) and the S16 which is a lighter duty saw.
Big difference in price.
You might take a look at their S14 saw. I've seen it at shows but never used it. It compares with the Delta in price but offers many more features. It's made in Asia wheras the others are made in Italy. The MM16 by SCM and the S16 by Meber.
Any one have the scoop on the upcoming MM18?? I saw the Laguna 18SE in FWW and the same day met an old friend in the welding supply store, said he bought one and loves it! 17 1/2" resaw capacity is pretty impressive. They weren't a shabby saw before, now this! I'm anxious to see what MM does to answer the bell! I was just about to put a deposit on a MM16 but I think I'll wait a bit for the next round of improvements.
The 18" is not on the MM web site and I don't want to call the sales guy as it will probably put him into the "frenzy" and he'll be calling/e-mailing every other day.
Regards to all,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Haven't seen the article yet in FWW, but I would guess the machine is probably a good one. But the problem with the reviews is they don't cover the "unknowns." According to Rikon, the machine takes a 142 inch blade - a non-standard size that is not stocked by folks like Highland Hardware - it can be custom cut but that's an additional charge. And on that rare occasion when I've needed a blade quickly - and I'm out of inventory - my local Sears store stocks both the 93.5 and 103 inch blades that fit the standard and riser block machines respectively (in a pinch they work).
And the Rikon website doesn't give a list of distributors or repair stations. What happens if you are in the middle of a project and you need a part quickly? I take my woodworking students to a number of shops scattered around my metro area and invariably I see the Delta with the riser block. One shop I visited just last week has a Mini-Max and while the shop folks like it, all blades are custom made and parts are not always stocked in the US - it was down when I was there waiting for a part. Delta will overnight a part if necessary to this shop and they regreeted buying the Mini-Max. And I suspect Rikon is in a similar situation. They are an importer working out of an office in Woburn MA who someday hopes to be a Grizzly or Jet. That's the rest of the story that FWW neglects to research.
Hi BK ,
Welcome , I suppose you are planning for future projects. So far the projects you do don't really require a bandsaw , especially with larger resaw capacity. There are many ways of doing the same things. What will you resaw taller than 6 1/4" ? Perhaps you could seam the parts together . After resawing how will you surface them ? Do you have a thickness planer ? So depending on the direction , type and volume of your projects you may be just fine without the riser block . You can always add one. I have never heard of any real unhappy owners of Delta 14" bandsaws. I have had mine for about 20 years and , of course I would love to have one of the huge older machines because I am a machine and tool junkie, but I really do not need one. Wants and needs for most of us are not the same .Unless money is no object go slow , you can always up grade. Honestly I have never lost a dime on buying and selling used American made machines. I have wasted a lot of time on re-furbishing some of my better buys , but in the end all was well.
good luck dusty
B K
I found the Rikon article interesting also. The price is right and the machine has good bearing adjustment. I prefer a machine already capable of re-saw without having to add the riser block to an already taxed column as on the 14" machines.
Other issues you might address is 110v or 220v. Most machines rated at 2 HP require 220. Research the amps pulled as HP rating can be deceptive. I think EDGREGG made some valid points I would consider. The Rikon looks good, but it is essentially not proven for the long-haul yet. Parts, tech service and will they be around awhile if the gamble doesn't pay off! All should be considered and I will wait others to take the gamble before I bite on the Rikon.
If cash is not an issue, the Delta would be fine. I would ask myself just how much re-saw you expect to do and what price range you can warrant. If you need a good BS capable of re-saw with some excellent features, you might look at the Grizzly 0555 with riser block. 1 HP and the guides are as good. Fence included and quick release. Some of the $700 BS's only start at $700 as you add the accessories.
All said, if I did a lot of re-saw I would go Mini-Max. If I just needed a 14" with riser and it's capabilites at 1 HP, I would consider the Griz 0555 for the value compared to others above it.
Good luck...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
BKlodaski,
I kinda just went through the same process your going through...and made my decision the first week of January. I had lusted for a 16 or 18" bandsaw for a couple of years....and when I got to see them at the WWorking show (minmax)I was shocked....there is a world of difference between a 14" and an 18" bandsaw. Evan the 16" Minmax is so much more substantial than a 14" its not even in the same ball park. I realized I really did not need all that machinery, and that many on here are quite happy with their 14" saws. Also, the pros usually have two bandsaws...a 14" and a big boy bandsaw.
What clinched my decision was a sale Rockler was having with Delta. I bought the 28-206 for $410 and have not gotten the riser block yet. It is a 1 hp saw and made overseas for Delta...and so far I'm very happy.
I would certainly be tempted by the $900 Rikon....if I was still in the 18" mind set....but for right now the 14" is enough and the price I paid is very decent.
Hey, buddy, what type of equipment you wanna buy depends on what you want to do with it.
If you are just going to tinker, then probably a 14" Delta will just be fine for you. Get an upgrade for the bearings and a Carter quick release belt tensioner, and the height extension and nice light, and you will be fine. That is a great machine, and the design hasn't changed much in 50 years.
There is much to be said for the larger machines, which can rip and resaw circles around the 14" home machine. But unless you are going to be doing either, that feature is unnecessary. Do you have a really good table saw? If not, one of those big commercial jobs can do almost anything that a table saw can do, albeit no cross-cutting or dadoing.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I also read that review with interest because my old Jet 14" saw seems to have died. My impression is that the Bridgewood and the MiniMax are definitely at the top of the list. What I find interesting is how once again Grizzly manages to offer a very good product at such a bargain basement price. I don't own any Grizzly machines right now but this could be the first.
To the person who asked the original question, what everyone else said is true. You really don't need anything more than a good 14" bandsaw. I don't need it, either, but I might well buy one anyway just because I want to and I deserve a reward for putting up with all Jon Arno's babbling in the Cafe.
What to buy depends, of course, on your intended usage. If that usage requires a riser block, I am not a fan of the Delta. I had one since new, about 1980 or so. Later, I put on the riser block, then the Iturra spring, then Iturra bandrollers, then a 1.5HP Baldor, then a link belt, then the aftermarket fence from Dukinske (SP?). It still wouldn't resaw worth a darn, so sold it, and bought an Agazzani 20", which is a whole different saw. With it I can resaw 12.75" with great accuracy and speed. But, it is a PITA to change to a scrolling blade since I also put on the Carters, and run a 1" carbide day to day. So, fell into a used shop situation and am keeping a PM 141 (14") BS, from the early 1980's I think. Interestingly, when I paid about $400 for my 14" Delta, the PM was $1300. So, what you want to do with it matters quite a bit, it seems to me.
Alan
Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
I did the same thing as BG, bought a Delta 206 on sale from Rockler. I also bought the table/fence combo that Rockler was offering at the time. That part's only OK--it works, but I had to adapt the mounting mechanism as the add-on table doesn't fit the saw that they packaged the aftermarket table with (brilliant, huh? ) Also, it's really just an MDF add-on with a couple of T-slots, and the fence is MDF with a small bit of mounting/adjusting hardware. Once properly mounted, though, it works. You do lose about 3/4" reasw cap when you add this table, but if you really need to, you can take the table off in seconds.
Keep in mind that you'll probably want a fence; that doesn't come standard. The fence needs to correct for drift, most I've seen don't. And re: the riser kit, I did buy it, and it works like a charm. 105" blades are readily available. I chose the Delta b/c I figured if anybody is going to make a widget for a bandsaw, they'll make darned well sure they make it for the Delta 14". So far, I've been correct; there are no bandsaw widgets that I know of that won't fit my saw.
Like BG, I've been very happy. I think I'll go play with it right now...
Charlie
charlie,
I took the fense off of my old $99 Skill table top saw and with a piece of stock attached to the backside of the BS table top, and swapping out the screws, it works like a charm.....could I be any cheaper....lol
I've just been through the process of selecting and buying a new bandsaw, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned the brand yet, expecially as resawing is an issue. I've just recieved a 14" Laguna, and am having it wired. (it's a 220 volt motor, 1.5 hp) With the Resaw King blade it will go through anything like a hot knife. The 14" is their smallest and will resaw 8.5" , they have a 14" HD that will handle 12" stock.
The regular 14" retails at $945 and the 14HD at $1088 or so. A bit more than a Delta, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Some guys wouldn't bat an eye at paying $10,000 for a snowmobile, boat or 4 wheeler, I just prefer good tools. The Laguna uses ceramic guides, super accurate and stay nice and cool.
Worth a look.
Bob
I upgraded from a Jet 14" w/riser to a MiniMax 16. I realize the MM16 is roughly 4 times the price, but where I could stall the Jet resawing a 6" piece of stock, the MM 16 breezes through 12" Maple with a dull 1" Olson blade. Even faster with a fresh blade.
I don't know your age but assume you'll have the saw for 20 years. Do the math and if you can afford it, go for the best.
__________________________________________________________
Michael in San Jose
Freedom from mental disturbance is the very most for which one can hope.
Epicurus (341-270 BCE)
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