RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence, 10-Inch

Since moving into a much smaller home and giving up my large shop, I've had to make a number of compromises in the equipment I use. My old 14" band-saw was just too large to fit. The 10" bench-top Rikon has proved to be a capable replacement. It cuts true and is easy to set up and use. The quality of build is exceptional. My only complaint is the fence which requires fiddling to set; but once set it does work. Fortunately, their latest model has an improved fence which will work fine for this one.

This saw works well for its size and power. I have used it a few times since setting it up and am pleased with it. Setup was easy, mainly installing the table. An installation tip: use sockets for the table bolts in the tight space offered. After aligning the table I found the saw to be set up well and required no further adjustments. Recommended.

I have had this saw for about eight-months now. Like several others who received the saw from the Pennsylvania "hub" the base of my saw was the opposite of flat. In fact there was almost a 3/8 inch deviation...the culprit -- the right rear corner. After briefly wondering which ancient deities I had inadvertently offended, I jury-rigged a series of clamps / fulcrums and left the tool in its make-shift "attitude adjustment" home for a week. Much to my dismay it only took away about half of the warp. After realizing it was a loosing battle -- and not wanting to go through hassle of returning it -- I decided I would just shim it out on the base I made for the stand. (RIKON 13-913 10-Inch Band Saw Stand -- a well-constructed item in its own right.)Despite the warped base, once properly shimmed out, this saw performs far better than expected and the overall build quality and functionality are very good. While I have yet to have an opportunity to cut any eight-inch laminated maritime support beams, I have cross-cut and re-sawed various hard and soft woods up to three and one-half inches thick.The Excellent:1. Heavy sturdy construction.2. Tracking adjustments do not require a PhD in Spatial Quantum Mechanics.3. Dust port allows for the removable of most dust.4. A cast iron table that in my case was flat and square.5. Small footprint (compared to its larger sized cousins.)The Good:1. It includes a fence that can be adjusted properly at least eight times out of 10.2. The Miter slot is adequately milled. (Although it is a non-standard size.)2. Drift has remained almost constant.3. Overall value versus other 10-inch band saws.4. The included directions and parts lists DO NOT require the Rosetta Stone to read.The Bad:1. The included blade - at least in my case. It cut like someone had used it to re-saw cement blocks and afterwards smashed the teeth with a pneumatic jack-hammer for good measure. Do yourself a favor a purchase a POWERTEC 13181X as a replacement.2. No stand included.3. Miter gauge not included.Conclusion: A great addition to your garage/home workshop.

I got this for wood working projects.. nothing major..i fix up old furniture, and do other wood working stuff.I actually used this for the first time to make new walnut handles from a walnut log i cut for firewood. Used a table saw to cut the log down and used this saw to cut my handles to size. Great saw.. Very quiet.. came almost completely together.. just had to screw on the table, and square it up.

the saw has worked wonderful for me, control your feed rates and you can cut very hard materiel like purple heart for example. the blade that comes with it does not make clean cuts do to it's tooth offset or rake, and it is not suited well for tight radius work, but then again its not designed for that, I have used 1/8 , 3/8 and 1/2 wide blades all with good success. YOU MUST SET YOUR GUIDE ROLLERS AND THRUST BEARINGS EVERY TIME you change blade with's or you will have problems.Best practice is to re set your saw every time you change the blade. I have only stalled the saw once and i was cutting a very thick piece of walnut and once i turned the saw back on not a problem since. i also have cut brass with it and no problem i also used and appropriate blade to do so. All and all its a great saw the miter gauge for it is acurate the fence is a dream also very close to accurate right out of the box

This saw is excellent compared to the Delta saw I also have. Of course it cost a lot more but I got my monies worth. In the first place it is built a lot better than the other saw. It uses roller bearing blade guides all around where as the other saw used some kind of blocks that the blade rubbed on.But the best kicker of all was that I broke the table trunnion when i wrongly allowed the saw to be exposed to a micro burst. It blew the saw off the table it was on Clearly my fault. Being the the conservative that I am and believing in being responsible for my actions I called Rikon to buy a new trunnion. Rikon shipped me a new one free under warranty even though I told them it was my fault. Yippy!! Another company to keep on my list for when I go looking for more tools..