Rikon Woodworking equipment????

[joeysh03]

Anybody have any experience with Rikon woodworking equipment? I'm looking to get there dust collector and benchtop bandsaw here soon. Woodcraft is going to be running a 15% off sale here in August. I'm just getting started and working out of my small 2 car garage. The price fits my budget too. Any opinions? Reviews look good and the TV show American woodworker use there equipment but it's prolly donated for the free advertisement.

 

[McFarmer]

I have one of the bigger bandsaws. It has plenty of power and capacity. I looked long and hard for something other than Chinese but if I had it to do over I would go with Laguna.

The Rikon hasn't given me any problems, I like the orientation of the bearing backing the blade.

 

[joeysh03]

If money wasn't a big factor I would look at higher end models but for something I might use a few times a month for 6 months out of the year I was leaning towards there benchtop bandsaw.

 

[turbowoodworker]

It may be just my experience but 15% off at Woodcraft brings it to about typical retail prices. May be better off at looking on Amazon or Acme tools or other online sources as they frequently do free shipping and larger discounts. Shop around a lot before you dive into Woodcraft.Otherwise I see no problem with Rikon products.

 

[joeysh03]

Haven't thought about that. I have a woodcraft near buy that's why I was leaning that direction.

 

[CSRPenFab]

I use the hell out of a Rikon 70-100 benchtop lathe in my side business of making custom pens. The lathe was true/square right out of the box and the motor runs very smoothly. The only upgrade I did was to add turned hardwood handles to the tool rest, jack screw, and banjo release handles. The stock handles are slim stainless steel and the larger wood overlay handles make adjustments much easier.

It has been faultless in a year of heavy use. I'd buy another Rikon product in a heartbeat. I bought mine at Woodcraft as well when they had a $100 off sale.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I am presuming you are looking at the 10" saw? right?
I searched and found prices ranging from 180-350. Look for deals on the high dollar purchases like power tools. Look for free shipping etc. A quick look revealed these:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rikon10bandsaw.aspx
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/182202787370?item=182202787370&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&rmvSB=true



And before you buy one brand, do your homework. It is an old blog, maybe improvements made, I didn't spend much time:
http://forums.finewoodworking.com/f...ct.com/review-rikon-10-305-10-inch-band-saw/s

Again, I think Rikon makes good stuff. I don't own any but the reviews I've read suggest they are good. Just make sure you save some money and you will be on your way to buying that next great tool too.

I may have learned that somewhere on GJ!

Rick

 

[crackerjack9]

I use the hell out of a Rikon 70-100 benchtop lathe in my side business of making custom pens. The lathe was true/square right out of the box and the motor runs very smoothly. The only upgrade I did was to add turned hardwood handles to the tool rest, jack screw, and banjo release handles. The stock handles are slim stainless steel and the larger wood overlay handles make adjustments much easier.

It has been faultless in a year of heavy use. I'd buy another Rikon product in a heartbeat. I bought mine at Woodcraft as well when they had a $100 off sale.

CSR - Just an FYI - the link in your signature is broken....