Rikon 18" Band Saw, Bad News-Maybe Good news

[Leon]

If you are like me and have one on order and it has not arrived yet, the bad news is that it has been discontinued. The good news, it is being upgraded and improved. The bad news, it will not be released until sometime in January, the good news, they did not say June. The bad news, it is going up in price to $1000, the good news, if you ordered and prepaid from Woodcraft, you get for the new model for the same price that you paid for the old model.

Now, I hope the blade length did not change since I have 4 blades on order.

Has anyone heard any other information?

[Leon]

I just talked to a Rikon rep and found out what changes the new model will have.

First off, the blade length will be the same. Whew!

The new model 10-345 will have several modifications. The 4 major improvements are,

1. The blade guard will now be hinged so that you will not have to twist the blade when changing blades and a window has been added at the bottom so that you can see the cut line when cutting very thin material.
2. The trunions are now a beefed up Cast material.
3. The blade tension quick release has been changed for easier operation and will now be positioned lower and will swing vs. pivot from the 3 to 9 oclock position. This also some how makes the upper wheel more stable with less vibration.
4. The wheel bearings will no longer be oil filled and will be packed with grease. These bearings are like those found on motor cycles and will be servicable for repacking.

[TWS]

Leon, maybe by reworking the tensioning mechanism they've fixed the hysteresis the original mechanism had. That would be a good thing. I'm not sure why they would change it otherwise, there is nothing difficult about using the original lever.

I'm glad to hear they are improving their product rather than milking the cash cow - it bodes well for their future. Grizzly became 'real' when they stopped making knock offs and started doing some re-engineering of their products. All in all, I 'spect this is good news - too bad you have to wait though. Let us know when you get it.

TWS

[Leon]

And you know what I am getting for Christmas. A band saw book, 4 Timberwolf blades, and a band saw mobile base. All that and no new band saw to use them on... Ironic huh?

[Lyndell Thompson]

Leon, I have question for you. Do you live within a days drive or so of the Louisville KY area? If so........I have a possibly interesting deal for you. Here goes. I have a decent supply of Baltic birch plywood in 12" x 44" (&60") x 3/4" mostly cabinet grade. I have made all sorts of things from it. Problem is I occassionaly would like some thinner stock, like 1/2 or 3/8. There is a lot of glue in baltic birch plywood and I barely have a bandsaw worth mentioning, much less one with 12" cutting capacity. If you need some baltic birch and want to really try that beast you have on order out............let me know. I don't know if it will work or not, it may just gum up the blade. You will be cutting in line with the glue most likely. For you or anyone who would try this..........I would buy you one blade and provide you with a couple sheets to build a nice tall resaw fence just for trying. I have the plans somewhere in a mag for the resaw fence. I promise not to help and would get lost if that is what you prefer (unless you wanted the help). I don't really want to sell any of it but had in mind to go board foot for board foot. You saw a board foot you get a board foot. Just throwing this out for what it is worth. Anyone can respond on or off list. Thanks in advance. Lyndell

P.S. I am in no rush on this at all. Keep me in mind if interested.

"Leon" wrote in message news:UN_jf.25297$ [e-mail]...

[Leon]

I promise

Well 1 long day. I live in Houston. Thanks any way.

[GeeDubb]

Which mobile base did you choose?

Gary

[Leon]

I bought the Rockler universal base. Supposedly good for 600#'s and the wheels do not stick out past the perimeter of the base except for the removable swivel jack wheel. The one below. On sale for $39.99