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**challagan** · 10-20-2007, 10:37 PM

It's been a long time since I have had a bandsaw in the shop. My first one was a Delta 9 inch bandsaw. It was ok, and I used it on a few projects but It was pretty lacking in power. I sold it when I made over my shop about 4 years ago or so.

Anyway, I have been thinking on a band saw for quite some time now.. with bobj and Bob Noles. I have had a few bucks saved for it and this one went on sale so my wife threw in a few bucks for a job well done on the kitchen

and more on that when the last counter top comes in. So I decided on one of the new Craftsman 12 inch band saws. I have like what I have read on this saw and it has been the pick of several magazine reviews etc. and it has had good reviews on the forums so I went for it.

I bought the 29.99 2 year warranty to go with it as they will replace any part or the saw if it needs it and they will come to the house once a year and go over the saw, clean it, check parts for wear and replace what needs it. Cant beat that. The saw is made buy the parent company of Rikon and uses much of the same parts as Rikon ( right down to the part numbers) so I feel good about that.

The saw has a real nice sturdy base with a nice matte finish powder coat and the saw it self has the same. Steel frame saw with cast iron table that is really nicely ground and flat. The table was a B- to assemble to the table and changing the angle is a PIA but once set it is set and same with squaring the blade to the table. Fired it up and she runs nice and quiet and appears to be no vibration or anything. Haven't run any wood on it yet... can't do that until I finish the kitchen island that is sitting in the shop with doors and drawers getting poly'd up! It has a 3/4 horse motor and a 7 inch resaw capabilities even though I probably won't do much of that. I think it will be a good saw for me and pretty much all the saw I need for what I do.

Thanks for looking

Corey

P.S. Bobj, I took those last 2 photos for you. Doesn't look like you no-go gauge will work on this saw. It doesn't work the same way... It turns on the top buy inserting the lugs into the correpsonding slots on the saw and compresses the spring but the spacing on the knob doesn't change.

**bobj3** · 10-20-2007, 10:58 PM

Hi Corey

I like it, it almost looks like the 18" comercial band saws, I like the arrows

that should help...

you found a great spot for it in the shop...what size blade does that beauty that ??

=======

**challagan** · 10-20-2007, 11:26 PM

Thanks Bj, I think it will do the job. The saw came with a 3/8 inch blade but will use up 1/8 to 3/4 inch. I will put a 1/4 blade on it before I cut anything with it for general purpose. The 3/8 is a little big for my taste for general purpose. I expect to use a 1/4 blade a lot on it and want to get a 1/8 and 5/8 for resawing eventually. I will probably order suffolk or timberwolf blades for it. It is also 2 speeds, for got to say that. Not sure what speed to use for general purpose wood cutting, 3000 fpm or 1400 fpm, I think it said hardwood and metal at the slower and all other at the faster speed. Does that sound right?

Corey

Corey

**bobj3** · 10-20-2007, 11:38 PM

Hi Corey

Does that sound right?,,,yep that sound right for cutting Alum.,brass, and light steel...
1400 fpm for ripping (resawing) it takes power to get the job down...lower the speed for more the power...thing.... to pull 3/4" raker 4 tooth blade....now you have a way to save tons of money for making 3/8" to 1/2" thick box wood...

Hamlin · 10-21-2007, 12:03 AM

Congrats on the new Bandsaw Corey. Looks like an excellent all around saw.

Joe Lyddon · 10-21-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by challagan

It's been a long time since I have had a bandsaw in the shop. My first one was a Delta 9 inch bandsaw. It was ok, and I used it on a few projects but It was pretty lacking in power. I sold it when I made over my shop about 4 years ago or so.

Anyway, I have been thinking on a band saw for quite some time now.. with bobj and Bob Noles. I have had a few bucks saved for it and this one went on sale so my wife threw in a few bucks for a job well done on the kitchen

and more on that when the last counter top comes in. So I decided on one of the new Craftsman 12 inch band saws. I have like what I have read on this saw and it has been the pick of several magazine reviews etc. and it has had good reviews on the forums so I went for it.

I bought the 29.99 2 year warranty to go with it as they will replace any part or the saw if it needs it and they will come to the house once a year and go over the saw, clean it, check parts for wear and replace what needs it. Cant beat that. The saw is made buy the parent company of Rikon and uses much of the same parts as Rikon ( right down to the part numbers) so I feel good about that.

The saw has a real nice sturdy base with a nice matte finish powder coat and the saw it self has the same. Steel frame saw with cast iron table that is really nicely ground and flat. The table was a B- to assemble to the table and changing the angle is a PIA but once set it is set and same with squaring the blade to the table. Fired it up and she runs nice and quiet and appears to be no vibration or anything. Haven't run any wood on it yet... can't do that until I finish the kitchen island that is sitting in the shop with doors and drawers getting poly'd up! It has a 3/4 horse motor and a 7 inch resaw capabilities even though I probably won't do much of that. I think it will be a good saw for me and pretty much all the saw I need for what I do.

Thanks for looking

Corey

P.S. Bobj, I took those last 2 photos for you. Doesn't look like you no-go gauge will work on this saw. It doesn't work the same way... It turns on the top buy inserting the lugs into the correpsonding slots on the saw and compresses the spring but the spacing on the knob doesn't change.

Very NICE Corey...

Looks super good! Rikon looks good to me...

One minor suggestion... I notice that you have it oriented so the wood you cut goes toward the wall... OK for small stuff... BUT, if you rotate it to the left by 90*, you will be able to do the same small stuff AS WELL AS rip longer pieces... without needing to wheel it out at all... or maybe just a little bit, depending how you fit around the cabinets, etc.

I have mine oriented that way & I hardly ever have to move it.

You might try it... Just thought I'd mention it...

Look like a REAL C O O L band saw!!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!

Be SAFE...

**challagan** · 10-21-2007, 12:13 AM

Thanks Ken, I appreciate it. Bj, it does look like the big euro bandsaws. Craftsman has a full line of them now from 10 inch ( which a lot of guys are buying for a second band saw on other forums) all the way up to an 18 " saw. Rikon is making some nice stuff. I will be able to do some resawing with it, guys report that it handles that chore pretty well up to 5 inch thick stock. But I need to get a planer as well

Corey

Dr.Zook · 10-21-2007, 12:27 AM

Nice addition Corey. Hope it serves you well.

Noddy · 10-21-2007, 12:37 AM

Sexy
:drool:

**challagan** · 10-21-2007, 12:47 AM

Thanks guys! A couple more shots. Joe unfortunately the mobile base just barely slides in the slot between the cabinets. It moves out of it's slot in just seconds if I need to.

Corey

10-20-2007, 10:37 PM	#1
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! New Bandsaw In The Shop.... It's been a long time since I have had a bandsaw in the shop. My first one was a Delta 9 inch bandsaw. It was ok, and I used it on a few projects but It was pretty lacking in power. I sold it when I made over my shop about 4 years ago or so. Anyway, I have been thinking on a band saw for quite some time now.. with bobj and Bob Noles. I have had a few bucks saved for it and this one went on sale so my wife threw in a few bucks for a job well done on the kitchen and more on that when the last counter top comes in. So I decided on one of the new Craftsman 12 inch band saws. I have like what I have read on this saw and it has been the pick of several magazine reviews etc. and it has had good reviews on the forums so I went for it. I bought the 29.99 2 year warranty to go with it as they will replace any part or the saw if it needs it and they will come to the house once a year and go over the saw, clean it, check parts for wear and replace what needs it. Cant beat that. The saw is made buy the parent company of Rikon and uses much of the same parts as Rikon ( right down to the part numbers) so I feel good about that. The saw has a real nice sturdy base with a nice matte finish powder coat and the saw it self has the same. Steel frame saw with cast iron table that is really nicely ground and flat. The table was a B- to assemble to the table and changing the angle is a PIA but once set it is set and same with squaring the blade to the table. Fired it up and she runs nice and quiet and appears to be no vibration or anything. Haven't run any wood on it yet... can't do that until I finish the kitchen island that is sitting in the shop with doors and drawers getting poly'd up! It has a 3/4 horse motor and a 7 inch resaw capabilities even though I probably won't do much of that. I think it will be a good saw for me and pretty much all the saw I need for what I do. Thanks for looking Corey P.S. Bobj, I took those last 2 photos for you. Doesn't look like you no-go gauge will work on this saw. It doesn't work the same way... It turns on the top buy inserting the lugs into the correpsonding slots on the saw and compresses the spring but the spacing on the knob doesn't change. __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/ Last edited by challagan; 07-14-2008 at 11:40 PM.
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10-20-2007, 10:58 PM	#2
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,273 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Corey I like it, it almost looks like the 18" comercial band saws, I like the arrows that should help... you found a great spot for it in the shop...what size blade does that beauty that ?? ======= __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J.
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10-20-2007, 11:26 PM	#3
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks Bj, I think it will do the job. The saw came with a 3/8 inch blade but will use up 1/8 to 3/4 inch. I will put a 1/4 blade on it before I cut anything with it for general purpose. The 3/8 is a little big for my taste for general purpose. I expect to use a 1/4 blade a lot on it and want to get a 1/8 and 5/8 for resawing eventually. I will probably order suffolk or timberwolf blades for it. It is also 2 speeds, for got to say that. Not sure what speed to use for general purpose wood cutting, 3000 fpm or 1400 fpm, I think it said hardwood and metal at the slower and all other at the faster speed. Does that sound right? Corey Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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10-20-2007, 11:38 PM	#4
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,273 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Corey Does that sound right?,,,yep that sound right for cutting Alum.,brass, and light steel... 1400 fpm for ripping (resawing) it takes power to get the job down...lower the speed for more the power...thing.... to pull 3/4" raker 4 tooth blade....now you have a way to save tons of money for making 3/8" to 1/2" thick box wood... __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J.
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10-21-2007, 12:03 AM	#5
Hamlin Registered User Supreme Forum King Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Baldwin City, KS First Name: Ken Posts: 1,574 View Hamlin's Gallery	Report This Post! Congrats on the new Bandsaw Corey. Looks like an excellent all around saw. __________________ Ken "A VETERAN" "Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -Author Unknown
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10-21-2007, 12:13 AM	#7
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks Ken, I appreciate it. Bj, it does look like the big euro bandsaws. Craftsman has a full line of them now from 10 inch ( which a lot of guys are buying for a second band saw on other forums) all the way up to an 18 " saw. Rikon is making some nice stuff. I will be able to do some resawing with it, guys report that it handles that chore pretty well up to 5 inch thick stock. But I need to get a planer as well Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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10-21-2007, 12:27 AM	#8
Dr.Zook Official Greeter Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Lebanon, Ohio "USA" First Name: Dave or "Doc" Posts: 4,690 View Dr.Zook's Gallery	Report This Post! Nice addition Corey. Hope it serves you well. __________________ Dave the "Doctor" In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood. Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you and make for a friendlier forum.
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10-21-2007, 12:37 AM	#9
Noddy Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: N. Ca Posts: 105 View Noddy's Gallery	Report This Post! Sexy :drool: __________________ Regards- Noddy
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10-21-2007, 12:47 AM	#10
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks guys! A couple more shots. Joe unfortunately the mobile base just barely slides in the slot between the cabinets. It moves out of it's slot in just seconds if I need to. Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/ Last edited by challagan; 07-14-2008 at 11:40 PM.
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