Last week, I asked a question about upgrading the 1/2 hp motor on my older Delta saw, or biting the bullet and buying a whole new ( bigger ) saw. Overwhelmingly, the response was to replace the motor, and stick with a U.S. made machine. This was great ... until I sat the old motor and the new motor side-by-side. To shorten a long story, Delta told me that I could not go any larger than a 3/4 hp motor, which I thought was a waste of time. Their reason was good, though - the bottom door won't open, even with a 1 hp motor. I would have had to re-engineer a lot of stuff that I didn't want to do
Given that I did not want to just buy the current version of my old saw, I started looking at the 18" Delta, and a big Grizzly ( G0513 ). I've since ruled out the Delta because I just don't want to spend that much money on a band saw. But when yesterday brought me a new copy of Fine Woodworking, I saw an ad for a company called Rikon Tools. They're offering what looks like a saw spec'd out just like the Delta, except it has a larger table. The wheels are supposedly cast, but I don't know how many spokes there are. Otherwise, at least from the ad, it looks like a great machine, priced well below the Delta.
My local Woodcraft store tells me that the Delta 28-682 is made in China ( as opposed to Taiwan ), as is this 18" beast from Rikon.
Does anyone have any experience with these guys, or have any feedback on their machines? I was told by a sales rep yesterday that Fine Woodworking just did a review on their tools. And while the review has not yet been released, Rikon was told by their publicist that they would be happy with the review. With all due respect to all of you sales guys out there, that's what I would expect to hear from a salesman.
I'm considering the Rikon over the Grizzly for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is the Grizzly table. From the reviews I've read, the tables on the Grizzly are returned for replacement more often than not due to either a crown or a dip. Should I expect the same from Rikon?
As always, your feedback is appreciated.
Thanks, Tim