The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: drbassman on April 08, 2014, 07:06:19 AM

Title: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 08, 2014, 07:06:19 AM
I've been trolling around for a better band saw and Woodcraft just put one that I was considering on sale.  They knocked off $180 and it's going for $419.  It's a Rikon with good reviews.  Just thought I'd share!  I'd love a heavier duty saw, but this price point works for me.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: godofthunder on April 08, 2014, 07:44:22 AM
Rikon makes really good stuff. I think you will be more than happy.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 08, 2014, 10:39:57 AM
Rikon makes really good stuff. I think you will be more than happy.

Good to hear Scott.  I've had my eye on this one for awhile. Got the spot all cleared out for it in the shop!

How's the new band doing?  Got any gigs coming up?
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Highlander on April 08, 2014, 11:29:50 AM
Someone mentions band-saw's and my bro' pops his head up ... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: godofthunder on April 08, 2014, 11:55:38 AM
Useful they are. :o
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Rob on April 08, 2014, 06:30:14 PM
I have a 12" Ricon and it is as good as a 14" for what I do.
I have resawn 5" oak but do get a decent blade it makes a real difference.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Lightyear on April 08, 2014, 08:01:43 PM
Looks nice!  Is it this one? http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2085779/43096/Rikon-14-Open-Stand-1-HP-Bandsaw-Model-10-321.aspx

If so it looks like you can resaw up to 8 inches!  Without a lift kit!   :o

This looks pretty similar to my 10-12 year old Jet - I think I gave $350 for back then.  Most of these are copies of the old Delta 14" saw and it's a solid design.

Rob's right - ditch the stock blade - you'll be glad you did ;D
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 09, 2014, 05:04:41 AM
Looks nice!  Is it this one? http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2085779/43096/Rikon-14-Open-Stand-1-HP-Bandsaw-Model-10-321.aspx

If so it looks like you can resaw up to 8 inches!  Without a lift kit!   :o

This looks pretty similar to my 10-12 year old Jet - I think I gave $350 for back then.  Most of these are copies of the old Delta 14" saw and it's a solid design.

Rob's right - ditch the stock blade - you'll be glad you did ;D

Yep, that's the one.  I agree, I'm going to get a good blade for it.

BTW, what's the best blade for cutting 1.5" stock (bodies)?  Most of the cutting I'll be doing is the rough cut around the perimeter of my scratch built mahogany bodies. 
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Pilgrim on April 09, 2014, 10:45:56 AM
I have the bandsaw unit for my Shopsmith and I find that it can cut even 4" fence stock like a hot knife thru butter.  I bought a variety of blade widths for various jobs, but I'd imagine that a blade of 1/2" or less would be best to navigate body contours.

And Bill, PLEASE watch the fingers.  That damn thing cuts so well that I'm very, very careful around it. 
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: dadagoboi on April 09, 2014, 03:17:48 PM
Yep, that's the one.  I agree, I'm going to get a good blade for it.

BTW, what's the best blade for cutting 1.5" stock (bodies)?  Most of the cutting I'll be doing is the rough cut around the perimeter of my scratch built mahogany bodies.

1/2" wide 3 TPI.  I use it for everything from hard maple to cardboard, including mahogany and pickguard material.  Olsen All Pro
http://www.amazon.com/Olson-105-Band-Blades-hook/dp/B000H6D3VK/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y
Review:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/123tpibandsawblades.aspx

Get a book on bandsaws if you don't have one.  It will teach you how to cut tight radii with a wide blade as well as a lot of other tricks.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Rob on April 09, 2014, 06:26:47 PM
I have only used the Highland blades for resawing and they are really nice.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 10, 2014, 04:39:52 AM
Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely check out the blades you recommend.  The saw is in, so I'll pick it up today!
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 11, 2014, 08:29:44 AM
Wrestled the saw into the basement with a buddy this morning.  I'll post some pics when it's all set up.  Found some nice Olsen blades on their site, direct buy.  This saw takes a newer length of 99.75" and not everyone has them available.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Lightyear on April 19, 2014, 09:00:57 AM
Still have all of your fingers Doc? ;D  Any updates?
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 19, 2014, 07:37:44 PM
Still have all of your fingers Doc? ;D  Any updates?

Been busy with family stuff but will get back to it on Monday.
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Highlander on April 20, 2014, 12:39:22 AM
Buzzsaw Lightyear strikes again... ;)
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Lightyear on April 20, 2014, 10:05:53 AM
Buzzsaw Lightyear strikes again... ;)

Well, with the good Doctor's close proximity to GOT, and with GOT's maniacal band saw tendencies one could be slightly concerned that the the good Doctor may start "modifying" basses........ ;)
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Highlander on April 20, 2014, 01:14:08 PM
Any functional modification is a positive act, albeit not to all tastes...

It's just with all the discussion of modification to the person elsewhere on the site... :o
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2014, 05:55:07 AM
Great idea guys!  I was thinking my 72 LP Triumph needed a deeper lower cut away.  I was also thinking it would be cool to have a "W" cut into the top of the headstock.  You know, kinda personalize it a bit!  I'll get right on it!   :vader:

And here is the little beast.  It is so nice to have a better quality saw.  It cuts so straight and true.  The adjustments are pretty easy to set up and the thing is quieter than my little chopper.  I love the roller blade guides and deep throat for cutting big pieces.  I have a new method I'm going to try for the capped top and back version of my basses.  Hogging and routing is such a giant pain in the butt.  I'm going to use a kerf cut into the body and then band saw out the middle instead.  Then all you do is glue the kerf back together when finished.  Sign letter makers use this method all the time.  Can't wait to try it out!

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Misc%20Stuff/DSCN1174_zps0394b0b1.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/Misc%20Stuff/DSCN1174_zps0394b0b1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: Highlander on April 21, 2014, 08:24:50 AM
...  I'll get right on it!   :vader:

Also somewhat fascinated by the deep throat aspect... brings a hole... sorry, whole new view to build techniques... ;)
Title: Re: Great band saw deal
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2014, 01:17:41 PM
The deeper the better!   :P