How is it possible that so many people have the same dilemma? After spending hours on YouTube I'm going with the Rikon 10 326. The build, fit and finish of the two seem very close. Both are 1 3/4 hp, both have the same fence design although I like the way the Rikon mounts and adjusts better. What I like about the Rikon is the bearings vs the ceramic guides on the Laguna. As was pointed out of YouTube they aren't solid ceramic they are only a coating which wears out and the replacement cost is $100 dollars! Also the warranty on the Laguna motor is only 1 year, Rikon is 5 years on everything. Those two things to me are a deal breaker. I had the Rikon 10 325 saw as well as a few other Rikon tools and I can't say enough good things about their customer service. So I'm just waiting for the sale at Woodcraft to make my move.
Laguna 14/12 vs Rikon 10-326 Bandsaw Options - Help Please!
All,
I know similar questions have come up multiple times on this forum. I have read through a lot of these threads.
However, I am hoping we can limit this thread to a simple vote between the two aforementioned saws.
Woodcraft has the Laguna 14-12 for 10% off - with final price of approximately $1,000
Woodcraft will have the Rikon 10-326 for 15% off in march, resulting in a final price of approximately $850.
That's a $150 difference between the two saws, but I'm not sweating. I am more interested in buying the better saw
Please note these are the ONLY two saws I'm considering. So with all due respect to other brands (Grizzly, Jet, Delta, etc., etc.), I would likely to kindly request fellow forum members to simply vote which between the two aforementioned saws would you choose.
Thanks in advance.
D
I know similar questions have come up multiple times on this forum. I have read through a lot of these threads.
However, I am hoping we can limit this thread to a simple vote between the two aforementioned saws.
Woodcraft has the Laguna 14-12 for 10% off - with final price of approximately $1,000
Woodcraft will have the Rikon 10-326 for 15% off in march, resulting in a final price of approximately $850.
That's a $150 difference between the two saws, but I'm not sweating. I am more interested in buying the better saw
Please note these are the ONLY two saws I'm considering. So with all due respect to other brands (Grizzly, Jet, Delta, etc., etc.), I would likely to kindly request fellow forum members to simply vote which between the two aforementioned saws would you choose.
Thanks in advance.
D
1 - 7 of 63 Posts
After owning a Rikon for 6 or 7 years and a Laguna for over two years, I would never again have a saw that has bearing blade guides like those on the Rikon. It is harder to set, it holds the blade less stable and the bearings wear out quickly. I don t know about any Youtube video but I have resawn about a mile of Maple, Cherry and Walnut on the Laguna and the guides still work perfectly. I have replaced the bearings on the Rikon about 4 or 5 times over the years. Now, I only use it for cutting curves.
I still use both saws regularly but for different purposes.
I know the frustration of trying to set up the bearings on the older saw, however Rikon has come up with a new system that works great. It's an upgrade, much larger bearings and spring loaded. It's $150 but right now Woodcraft has it for $100 and it's standard on the new saws. I saw it on YouTube and gave it a try at the store. I couldn't believe how easy it was to set the blade. So it's the best of both worlds. Easy to use, no tools required and steel bearings that should last for years. The ones on my 10 325 have never been replaced in 5 years.
I totally agree. Besides all that you listed the Rikon just looks like a more substantial saw, a bigger saw, a better saw.
Sorry I don't know if there are any good 3rd party suppliers. I went with the Rikon and couldn't be happier. This my 2nd one and I only got the new one because I liked the newer bearing system better. I sold my older one for a hundred less than I paid for it and ended up with a brand new saw for not much extra money.
As an aside without any set up or fooling around I was able to resaw a piece of wood to the thickness of a saw blade, about 1/16" thick. The blade wasn't even touching the bearings, I simple put it on and started sawing. The Rikon 10-326 is by far the best bandsaw I have owned . When it goes on sale I would snap it up. As far as bearings or guides I have no opinion which is better but I have never worn out the bearings on any of my saws. With the 5 year warranty from Rikon they would replace them for free if they did wear out. Speaking of warranty you won't find any better customer service. I had a sander that I bought off ebay and the bearing on that was shot. I called Rikon and ordered a new one. When it came I couldn't figure how to get the old one out so I called them again. The guy I was talking to went to the back room and took a machine apart with me standing by on the phone just so he could explain step by step what to do!
Don't worry about the bearings, you can get after market sealed bearings for under $1 dollar each. I'm not sure what others use their saw for but I consider myself a typical home user and have never had to replace a bearing on any brand of band saw that I have owned. I have had to replace bearings on the table saw and got aftermarket ones for a fraction of the cost that Delta was selling them for. Go for the saw that you want just don't get something like a Grizzly.do you think using graphite spray on the bearings might help? the graphite dries so im guessing the bearings shouldn't gunk up, haven't tested it though
- phillywoodshop
1 - 7 of 63 Posts
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