Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

This is a powerful machine for a home hobbyist but when I resaw I need the extra horsepower. Very nice quality for the sale price.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

I purchased the 18" Rikon band saw a little over a year ago at Woodcraft's fall sale. It was back ordered so I had to wait about two months for delivery. The saw arrived in good condition with no issues (because of the delay the saw was even personally delivered by the owner of the local Woodcraft store - a round trip of 120 miles. Unfortuantely his store has since gone out of business). It was easy to set-up, although it is a heavy machine and required assistance to move it into position and get it installed on a mobile base. Once set-up the saw ran very well, even with the factory blade. It runs smoothly with low vibration, and seems to have adequate power from the 2 1/2 hp motor to handle the work that I ask of it. The blade tracks true, and while the blade guides are a bit finicky to adjust, once set they do a good job. (The blade guides are similar to the Carter guides that I have on my 14" Rockwell band saw, and the Carter guides are just as difficult to adjust.) The saw seems solidly constructed out of heavy gauge steel. I've since added a high quality 3/4" blade, and use the saw to resaw veneers (mostly cherry, walnut and alder), and trimming bowl blanks, all of which it does well. The biggest negative is the fence. The fence is made from lightweight aluminum and is only 2 1/2" high. As far as I can tell there is no adjustment for drift. Frankly it is a puny fence and not up to the quality of the rest of the saw. If Rikon does anything to improve this model band saw it should be to add a much better fence. I have not had any of the blade tracking problems with this saw due to the redesign of the blade tension release mechanism from the 340 to 345 models, as has been described on some of the woodworking forums. I can release the tension on the blade and once re-tensioned the blade tracks correctly. Overall I think this saw is an excellent value, especially at the sale price I paid for it. At full retail price it has to be compared with the Grizzly 19" and lower end Laguna saws, so the fence would become a real issue in deciding on a purchase, as most competitive saws in this price range have superior fences. Fortunately I have not had any problems with the saw so I have not had to use Rikon customer service, although most of the comments I've read rate Rikon CS highly. I would have given the Rikon 18" band saw 5 stars except for the poor quality fence.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

power is good guides could be a little easer to adjust every one says how heavy it is (weight) you need that to keep the tool ridge love the quick change blade fiture only one thing kept it at 4 stars the lack of a built in light

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

Ive had mine a year now & its time to write a review. For the money, this thing cannot be beat. The table is huge & the machine runs smoothly and powerfully. My only gripe is that the fence is sub-par for what is otherwise a very nicely designed & built machine.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

After 3 years, the Capacitor quit. My saw is 1 year out of warranty and I expected to pay for a new one. Rikon Service Dept. confirmed the symptoms and are shipping me a new one, no charge today. That is not the type of service that I get from most places. Service Department and policies******. This is a fine piece of equipment that I thouroughlly enjoy operating everytime I turn it on.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

This is the new smaller version of the 18" Rikon. I run it on 110, and so far has enough power for what I've cut. I'm sure it will be better when I get a better resaw blade, like the 3/4" wood slicer, but saw will take up to 1" wide, like a resaw king, $200+, LOL! Doesn't take a blade smaller than 1/4" yet, but I hear Rikon is working on it. Carter style bearing guides, nice! Best part was it came 90% assembled. No problems like the 14" owners had. I was able to attach large 19x21" top myself, and few other parts in no time. Came attached to a wood platform, so was able to move it on a hand truck with a little help. I just left it on the platform for now. Very Quiet, no noticable vibration. Catch most dust with a 2 1/2" shop vac, but will accept a 4" hose as well. Fence does not allign to table vertically, so I shimmed it best I could so now it's real close. Wasn't made for adjustments. For just a little more than the 14", Go for this one! Heavy metal cabinet, and doors. Nothing flimsy about this one. Buy a quality miter gauge and you have one fine machine.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

Quite pleased with the saw.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

I looked at this saw at $1100.00...then I thought about this saw at $1200.00. The next year I pondered about this saw at $1300.00. This year I bought this saw for [$]. What a deal!!!!!!!! Set and cleaned it up in about an hour made a few adjustments and BAM!!! Sawing fire wood in to Turkey call blanks. I could not be more pleased.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

I replaced the blade with a 3TPI resaw blade and ran enough wood through this to fill my dust collector one afternoon. On the hardest, woods this is flawless. On woods with a little bit of resin you just have to go slower. On low speed this saw cuts faster than any other saw I've used, so its not a problem. My bud's Griz and Jet's cant come close to what this can do.

Comments about Rikon 18" 2.5 HP Bandsaw :

Any bandsaw should be properly set up and maintained to operate properly and safely. This one is no exception. I like my 18" Rikon.