Well I dont have either one.. but think on this.
In a few years (or maybe it'll only take a few months) will you be saying "Geeze, I wish I'da bought the 18" model" ?

With the features and benefits you have listed above, the 18 sounds like a much better saw. So if that 330 bucks wont break you, I'd say go for it now. Because if you get the 14 now and realize later that you should have gone with the 18, it's gonna cost you a WHOLE LOT MORE than just $330 to upgrade.

Too many times I've bought "cheaper versions" of things based on price, only to realize later on that if I'd have bought the one I really wanted at first, I'd be ahead of the game.

 

i have a 10-340, predecessor of the 345. it replaced an 18" jet (happy day when that left the shop!). the 10-340 is built, especially when compared to the jet. if serious resawing is in the cards, the 345 is probably the way to go. it'll take that 1" blade where the 325 won't, according to rikon's specs. if a 1" blade isn't needed, the 325 is a lot of saw. i've seen precious few negative comments about either saws.

 

I have the 10-325, love it, but haven't really put it through it's paces yet. So I wouldn't presume to say it would serve your needs. That is something only you can determine.

They always SAY that size doesn't matter, but we all KNOW different!!! I say if you have the space, power supply, capital, I don't think you'd regret "Going BIG"!!!

 

No question, the 18"!!!
Interesting comment from toolie above…I have a Jet 18 and have had NO problems. I've used it extensively
for over 10 years. Oh well, to each his own.
I think you will find the 18 more stable when resawing wide wood, the 1" blades are excellent for this and
I have had no drift problems at all.
Good luck,

 

I have not seen much for negatives on the Jet 18".
My only complaint would be adjusting the lower guide, not a big deal.
Mine is an older white one.

 

I would absolutey love to have that 18".
I already have a small 10" Rikon and would keep it for curvy stuff, but the 18" is a re-saw saw.
In that light, the 18" is much better for that function, where the 14" is more universal, go both ways kind of saw, IMHO.
edit: And another thing I just meant to say and forgot. There is very little a big saw can not do that a little saw can. On the other hand, there is plenty a big saw can do that a small saw cannot.

 

the jwbs-18 had a reputation for frame flexing with larger blades. IIRC, jet represented the saw as being able to accommodate 1 1/2" blades, and it couldn't (see page 6 of OM):

http://www.misgroupinc.com/partfiles/man_708750B.pdf

as bad as the saw was, WMH tool group was even worse. happy day for me when i sold the jet to some woodworker wanna be "i gotta have a jet 'cause it's the best" yuppy and bought the rikon from a woodnetter. the rikon is considerably more substantial than the jet was, in every respect. the OP would do well with either the 325 or 345.

 

I just got the Rikon 18". I haven't "installed" it yet but so far I'm impressed with the saw. Based on what I see so far I recommend it. I'm going to set it up as a resaw dedicated machine. It will probably get set up next week. When it's done, I'll write a full review.

 

For small money I would certainly go with the 18". We have a 20" operatic and last winter I resawed about 700 bf of mesquite. That ability alone is deserving of far greater than a small investment of 300.00. Street value on mesquite is 5.00 bf. My logs cost me a couple hundred. Works great for me.

 

toolie- thanks for posting the link to the saw that I have! I didnt get a manual with it.
You are right about 1 1/2" blades.
I found mine used " very little use" at a super good price, with a stack of unused blades, including a couple of 1 1/2".
1" really is the max practical size. and a bit under powered for that, but it does work.
I was using a borrowed Delta 14" before, and found this Jet 18" a considerable improvement.
At any rate, I just found a Northfield 24", that is a whole nother story.

 

Get the saw that takes the wider blade.

 

and found this Jet 18" a considerable improvement.

glad you like your jet. mine was my first, and last, WMH tool group product. the OP has focused on two very good band saws, each of which are outstanding tools.

 

toolie, you are the one that brought up Jet 18" bandsaws, and how they are so bad that you ripped of a Yuppy, by selling it to him.
horsefly and I simply stated, we have not found that to be the case.

 

Michael: "There is very little a big saw can not do that a little saw can. On the other hand, there is plenty a big saw can do that a small saw cannot."

What can't the bigger saw do? What can't the smaller saw do? Do people with 1.5hp 14" saws complain that their saws aren't powerful enough? Randy said: "They always SAY that size doesn't matter, but we all KNOW different!!! " But sometimes, smaller is better. Note: how many of us have 12" table saws?

The 14" actually has an extra inch of resaw/veneer height. However, does the larger saw add stability? Is the extra 60% power important? Is the extra weight important? Are the front and rear fence rails an advantage or disadvantage? The front rail has to be removed to change blades.

Blades (143" vs. 111") and parts like Carter guides are more expensive on the 18" saw.

The saws are both 20amp, 110v and 208v respectively. I'll need to run a line to either (along with lines for the table saw and dust collector, all 220v).

 

I asked myself the same question when I set up my shop. As I was nearing the end of my budget, I decided on a 14" Grizzly 0555.

Within six months I was regretting going small, and started dreaming of having two bandsaws someday.

I jumped on the Woodcraft sale you mentioned and got the Rikon 18". It now sits next to my 14". One is set up as a resaw machine and the other set up for curves. Today I popped back and forth between them making a bunch of bandsaw boxes. It was so easy - no more messing with tension and changing blades for different purposes, and no problems with drift on the straight cuts.

So I would vote "Get both!" if you have the budget and the interest in setting up the machines for different purposes, but if you can only get one, get the 18".

 

horsefly and I simply stated, we have not found that to be the case.

and i wish owners of those saws all the performance they hope for.

 

I agree with many others. If your in some doubt then get the 18''. If you were just originally thinking of buying a 10'' or 12'' and instead went with a 14'', then your ahead of the game. The Rikon sale going on now has you thinking well for $330. more I can get the 18''. There's always room for growth in ones shop but sometimes and for some that purchase can be overkill. All comes down to the use you have planned for it. Get the 18'' what the heck.

 

I will be the contrarian here. I have had a 14" Jet for more than 12 years. It does everything I have asked of it, including resawing 8" oak. I leave a 1/2' blade on it most of the time for re-sawing and cutting gentle curves. If I ever had to replace it, I would probably get another 14". YMMV

 

We all have a different experience and have come down paths in the disapline of working with wood. Entering my 44th year of working wood for a living I will offer that that 18 inch saw would be a starting point at best. Dont let the resaw capacity of the 14 entice you.
There has been a huge resaw capacity war going on for a few years now. I will be finishing my journey with a 70 s model 20 inch delta Rockwell . it employs a 12 inch resaw capacity. I have sliced up quite a lot of veneer with it and not a single job has been comprimised.
I at one time had a large bandsaw (36) that had a very liberal resaw capacity but I don't recall ever needing it for anything over 12 inches.
BTW I on occasion have cut out very delicate pieces with a one eighth blade on mine. Toss a 100 lb chunk of timber on a 14 inch saw table and watch what happens, let alone cutting a beveled arc in it.
Enjoy! JB

 

Elizabeth, two bandsaws are not in the cards. I'm still measuring and remeasuring to make sure the table saw (with incra fence and left side router table), bandsaw, planer (DW735), dust collector, future jointer (probably the 8" Grizzly parallelogram), and work tables will fit. If that really becomes an issue maybe a 10"

DoubleDD, was always planning on a 14", and was originally looking at the models around $500 that were closer to $650 with raiser and shipping. This forum brought the 18" into the picture, again looking at the Grizzly 17" models first.

Art. what size motor does your 14" have? Have you used it on logs?

JB, what horsepower level is our Delta Rockwell 20 inch? Your pictures showed a Grizzly bandsaw. Nice set of planes…and I'm jealous about the scapers.

 

It is 1HP and I should have mentioned that I got a riser block with it. However, I have never felt the need to "Toss a 100 lb chunk of timber" on it. I don't think I could toss a 100 lb chunk of anything on anything much over 6" high. LOL As DoubleDD mentioned, it depends on your intended uses.

 

David, thanks. Somewhere in those pics I think you can see a partial shot of the delta 20 inch. It is a 2 hp. the grizz you saw was a 19 inch 3hp model. It was ok, it was just a bit lighter machine than I prefer. I sold it to another LJ from san antonio about 3 yrs ago. I used it for two yrs. I think.
Again, my comments are based on my experience. I do quite a lot of custom architectural millwork that often requires 16/4 stock in 12 to 14 ft. lengths. Lots of radius cuts with an extension table up to 10 ft. sometimes longer. Just saying, a 14 would not do for my use. Sort of like table saws, etc. The only folks I know that don't care for heavier equip. are those that have not used it. Enjoy JB

 

"The only folks I know that don't care for heavier equip. are those that have not used it"

There was a Craig's list listing for a Powermatic 5hp table saw with the 52" fence/table for $2300. If my wife didn't insist on the SawStop…

 

I purchased the Rikon 18" 7 years ago for $800, so in a few years you'll be thinking you got a bagain. I've been very pleased with it. Used it to cut bowl blanks from wet logs 12" thick, ripping small logs into boards and cutting veneer.

 

JB makes a good point on some heavier, and I would add some older equipment. I see these old 20" band saws used from time to time. Recently seen an older Rockwell 20" at a school auction, bid was at 75.00 when I looked. Bought our 1000 lb PM at a school auction for 75.00. Put a new single phase motor in it and I now have a great band saw for around 600.00. Currently we have a 1/4" blade installed for curve work. It is an awesome band saw. Of course 1000 lb machine might be difficult to get into your shop????