[On the Road]

Hello, my name is Mark I am new on the site.I am looking to buy a Vanessa would would like some help. Grizzly has a 14 inch on sale now, and Woodcraft has a Ricin 14 inch on sale. Which do you think would be a better saw. Thank you for the help.

 

[gus1962]

I don't have any experience with either but I've read a lot of reviews about both. You should lean towards Grizzly. Are you doing a lot of resawing work?

 

[On the Road]

Sorry about the spelling, my phone likes to correct my spelling. I am looking to use the bandsaw mainly for resawing and most of the hardwood I get is 6"-8" the Ricon can resaw up to 8" so I am leaving toward that. Both are affordable but I do not know which would be a better quality.

 

[toolguy1000]

probably the rikon, but i'm a partisan owner of a 10-340, which is built like a tank. if that rikon on sale is anything like the discontinued c-man 22401 (which was a really souped up rikon 10-320 at a significantly lower price), it's a nice saw. as i noted, i'm a rikon owner and i find their customer service and tech support second to none.

 

[rrich]

You are considering a 14".

I have a lot of experience with some different brands but larger sizes. I've used 3 different Oliver and 1 Laguna. I also own a 19" Grizzly. The Oliver saws are very good, the Grizzly is great and the Laguna is not even close. I've heard that Laguna is trying to improve their image but it is not an improved image that is needed. (I'll just leave it at that.)

I looked at Rikon before buying the Grizzly. I don't know how to put it other than the Rikon didn't give me any warm fuzzes. Maybe I already had my mind made up, I don't know.

 

[On the Road]

Thanks for the replys and opinions I am still undecided, I don't have a lot of money to spend so I'm trying to make a good choice. My gut says Grizzly, but I like the 8" resaw of Ricon over the 6" resaw of Grizzly.

 

[khowald]

I just purchased a 17" Grizzly, G0513X2. Very nice machine, had it three days after I ordered it. They have a great reputation and stand behind their product. I love the saw. I have a 10% off code if you want to PM me...ken

 

[woodnthings]

Rikon on sale here

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rikon-14-deluxe-bandsaw.aspx

I would go for the Rikon with the added resaw capacity. The welded construction on both saws is similar, so there is not a great deal of difference. I have the Craftsman 14" , a Rikon clone and it's a fine machine.

 

[toolguy1000]

i may be wrong, but i think this is the rikon BS the OP is referring to:

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2085779/43096/rikon-14-open-stand-1-hp-bandsaw-model-10321.aspx

if it is, it's considerably less expensive than a 10-325 ( ~ $300 less). and if this is the grizzly the OP mentioned in his opening post, i'd go with the rikon:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-Deluxe-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0555LANV

also, to pick up on a comment by Woodnthings, if the OP was really smart, he'd look at this from sears, which is, in all likelihood, built in the same plant as the rikon:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-14-inch-band-saw/p-00932607000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

i had a chance to assemble a c-man 22401 (model prior to the bas350 and a feature enriched version of the rikon 10-320) and it was a great saw. for < $400, that c-man BAS 350 looks to be a terrific saw. the only material difference between it and the 10-321 from woodcraft is the warranty; 5 years for the rikon vs. 1 year for the c-man.

 

[Lola Ranch]

I have the 17" Grizzly as well. It is my favorite power tool. It will cut smooth curves, rip roam accurate width and re-saw the full 12" height. I think they are on sale now for $8 - 9 hundred. I fully recommend this saw, however, I've never used a Rikon which might be good as well.

Bret

 

[On the Road]

Thanks for all the help. I bought the Ricon 14".

 

[toolguy1000]

congrats. get a good blade (lennox from iturra or woodslicer from highland WW) and start making sawdust. just watch out for that timberwolf blade trap. no real value there with their unfortunate propensity for misaligned welds. and remember to post some pics of the new saw, perhaps even the assembly process also, so we can enjoy along with you.

BTW, was it the 10-321 or the 10-325?

 

[hboswell]

So, what's the difference between the Grizzly 14" (G0555) and the anniversary edition that's on sale (G0555LANV)?

 

[hboswell]

...also, to pick up on a comment by Woodnthings, if the OP was really smart, he'd look at this from sears, which is, in all likelihood, built in the same plant as the rikon:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-14-inch-band-saw/p-00932607000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

i had a chance to assemble a c-man 22401 (model prior to the bas350 and a feature enriched version of the rikon 10-320) and it was a great saw. for < $400, that c-man BAS 350 looks to be a terrific saw. the only material difference between it and the 10-321 from woodcraft is the warranty; 5 years for the rikon vs. 1 year for the c-man.

Interesting - I was in a Sears store yesterday, and this saw was at the regular price. Is this an online-only price?

 

[ryan50hrl]

More than likely. They do that quite often. Buy it online and pick it up at the store.

 

[rrich]

I see $24 difference with the Grizzly being more. Depending upon tax, the Grizzly may be less.

For $24 I would choose the Grizzly. The 93-1/2" blades are very common and when that emergency arises for a new blade on a Saturday afternoon, you can probably find a blade locally.

In the pictures, the Grizzly looks more sturdily built but that's my eye...

With the 10% coupon you could be way ahead.

I have a 19" but I can't remember ever resawing anything over 8". Do you really have a lot of projects in mind that will require resawing wood that wide?

 

[gus1962]

Congratulations on your band saw. Get good blades for resawing. I have bi metal - hard back carbon band saw blades.

 

[hboswell]

I see $24 difference with the Grizzly being more. Depending upon tax, the Grizzly may be less.

For $24 I would choose the Grizzly. The 93-1/2" blades are very common and when that emergency arises for a new blade on a Saturday afternoon, you can probably find a blade locally.

In the pictures, the Grizzly looks more sturdily built but that's my eye...

With the 10% coupon you could be way ahead.

I have a 19" but I can't remember ever resawing anything over 8". Do you really have a lot of projects in mind that will require resawing wood that wide?

The Grizzly would be $524. I saw a mention of a 10% off coupon, which would lower that price to around $475. The Craftsman is $384, with tax that would come to around $408. So, is it worth saving $70 or so to get the Craftsman? Or, is the Grizzly worth an additional $70?

 

[woodnthings]

It won't matter to the OP now

Thanks for all the help. I bought the Ricon 14".

The Grizzly would be $524. I saw a mention of a 10% off coupon, which would lower that price to around $475. The Craftsman is $384, with tax that would come to around $408. So, is it worth saving $70 or so to get the Craftsman? Or, is the Grizzly worth an additional $70?

As far as your own decision, I can only speak for the 14" Craftsman, which I own 2. I like mine, bought one new and one used/like new.
The Rikon, Grizzly and Craftsman all seem similar in the basic design and frame. The difference may be in the motor and how it's mounted, I don't know. The Craftsman saws work fine, are accurate and have enough power from the 1 HP motor for resawing 5" Oak with a sharp blade.

I also own several Grizzly tools and they are great also. It would be difficult choice, but the Grizzly service support is probably the clicher
for me, as they have a good reputation. :yes: