I�m a long-time fan of the Mississippi-made Delta 14� cast-iron band saw � and its better clones. But not everyone has the space for one of these saws. Or they don�t have the eggs to buy a used one...
The Rikon 10-305.I�m a long-time fan of the Mississippi-made Delta 14� cast-iron band saw � and its better clones. But not everyone has the space for one of these saws. Or they don�t have the eggs to buy a used one that will surely need some restoration.
For the last couple months, I have been using/abusing the Rikon 10-305 band saw. Rikon stopped making it, but Highland Woodworking bought up all their extant stock and is selling them at $299. This is a bargain price for a saw that can do everything necessary for making stick chairs.�
If you have been wanting a band saw, but are short on space or money, quickly go get one before they run out. Then come back here and read about why you are such a genius (and a good dancer).
First, for all the first-timers here, please know that I bought this saw at full retail. I paid shipping and tax. Highland didn�t ask me to do a review. They might not even know I bought one of the saws. The saw isn�t perfect (more on that later), but $299 (plus $73 shipping) is chump change for a machine like this.
Decent bearing guides.Most important: The saw has the guts to do serious work. It handles 8/4 oak without a problem. Heck, you can get almost 5� under the guides, not that I would ever need that with chairmaking.
The guides are standard bearings � two on the sides and one thrust bearing. Standard stuff and easy to adjust. There are guides above and below the table (you have to ask when a saw is this cheap). The trunnions are aluminum, but that�s not a demerit in my book. I like that the saw is so lightweight. I can pick it up myself and move it wherever. It�s small enough to fit in a closet.
The dust port actually fricking connects to a regular shop vacuum, which is some miracle. The dust collection is much better than on my 14� Delta, but it�s not perfect (observe the dust on its components).
No-frills fence. But it works.The downsides: The fence is skimpy (they make an upgraded one). But it locks down fine at the front and rear of the table and doesn�t move. The throat plate is way too gappy � a common problem with all band saws. I�ll make a new zero-clearance one, but for crying out loud I shouldn�t have to.�
Vibration isn�t bad. But clamp the saw to the bench when you use it. It doesn�t jump around, but every little bit counts. The saw is remarkably quiet. I expect little machines to be like little dogs � very barky.
The wheels are skimpy, but they were balanced at the factory and run true.�
Svelte wheels. But what did you expect?I wish I had a saw like this when my workshop was on the back porch. It would have saved me hours of farting around with a jigsaw and circ saw to process lumber.
So, as I said, act now or regret it later.
� Christopher Schwarz
P.S. Rikon has replaced the 10-305 with an upgraded model, the 10-3061. I haven�t tried or seen one. And at $599, I�m unlikely to.
Decent trunnions for a bargain saw. The saw�s table is iron.
