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Bandsaw choice

C

Charles Derrickson

Joined
Apr 19, 2025
Messages
6
Likes
3
Location
Valparaiso, IN
I’m looking to upgrade my bandsaw. I have a rikon 10”. It works for very small stuff. I need something larger for general use purposes. I’m trying to decide between the 14” Rikon 10-326 deluxe and the 17” grizzly G0513.
The Rikon costs about $1600.
The grizzly is $1300.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these.
 
I might re-saw every once in a while. I intend on using it on projects as an all around go to bandsaw. I would like something more universal. If that makes sense. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not.
 
Have had the Grizzly G0513X2BF for about 3yrs ... love it. From resaw, to veneer, to cookies, to large circles and smaller intricate work has performed flawlessly. Blades change easily, really like the brake that stops the blade within a sec. Other things I like ... 2HP, 220V, 12" cut height, 16 1/4" left of blade, cast table, resaw fence, quick tension release, table tilt, 1/8" - 1" blades. Shipping/packaging was great. Has a big eye hook at the top of the machine to hoist onto a mobile base. Sometimes wish it had 2 miter slots.

Just took a peek online at the Harvey machine ... pretty impressive looking 🤔 .

Decisions, decisions ... good luck with your choice !
 
Charles Derrickson said:
I’m looking to upgrade my bandsaw. I have a rikon 10”. It works for very small stuff. I need something larger for general use purposes. I’m trying to decide between the 14” Rikon 10-326 deluxe and the 17” grizzly G0513.
The Rikon costs about $1600.
The grizzly is $1300.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these.
Click to expand...

When you say you want a bandsaw "for general use", what does that mean? Maybe note anything specific you want to do with it.

I don't have experience with those models, but my good experience with Rikon would steer me that way. Looks like it has a 13" cutting capacity, would be great to prep small logs into turning blanks, something I do a lot. The tall rip fence looks nice. I like cast iron wheels instead of aluminum on the cheaper Grizzly.

However, the Grizzly specs look better - more horsepower, wider cut. My 18" Rikon has a pretty wide cut and I use it a lot more than I thought I would. I also like what appears to be a dust pickup just below the lower guides, similar to my Rikon. With that, plus a port in the lower cabinet I get almost no dust in the cabinet (using a cyclone DC). It has only a 12" cutting height like my 18" Rikon but I find that sufficient for my use.

Either of these might run better on 220v if you have it in your shop.

JKJ
 
I have the 10-326 and am looking at upgrading to the PM 1800B. My only complaint with the Rikon has been that it is underpowered for my use. I primarily use my BS for cutting bowl blanks and the Rikon is just not up to the task. My lathe can do blanks up to 25" and I often cut logs that are 8"+ thick and have to wait for the Rikon to catch up.

My usage differs from yours and you may find the saw great for your use. On a positive note, Rikon customer service has been fantastic any time I have called for parts or advise. Check out Laguna CS before you lock in there. I took a hard look at the Harvey 18" saw, but decided to go all out. Buy once, cry once.
 
John K Jordan said:
When you say you want a bandsaw "for general use", what does that mean? Maybe note anything specific you want to do with it.

I don't have experience with those models, but my good experience with Rikon would steer me that way. Looks like it has a 13" cutting capacity, would be great to prep small logs into turning blanks, something I do a lot. The tall rip fence looks nice. I like cast iron wheels instead of aluminum on the cheaper Grizzly.

However, the Grizzly specs look better - more horsepower, wider cut. My 18" Rikon has a pretty wide cut and I use it a lot more than I thought I would. I also like what appears to be a dust pickup just below the lower guides, similar to my Rikon. With that, plus a port in the lower cabinet I get almost no dust in the cabinet (using a cyclone DC). It has only a 12" cutting height like my 18" Rikon but I find that sufficient for my use.

Either of these might run better on 220v if you have it in your shop.

JKJ
Click to expand...
When I say general use. I’m talking about bowl blanks, cutting logs down, cutting small projects, Bandsaw boxes, minimal re-saw right now. I don’t have a dedicated shop. I have part of our garage. My table saw and miter saw are on portable stands, they are stowed away. So my 10” tends to get used for most things unless i have to set those up.
 
Steven Borruso said:
Have had the Grizzly G0513X2BF for about 3yrs ... love it. From resaw, to veneer, to cookies, to large circles and smaller intricate work has performed flawlessly. Blades change easily, really like the brake that stops the blade within a sec. Other things I like ... 2HP, 220V, 12" cut height, 16 1/4" left of blade, cast table, resaw fence, quick tension release, table tilt, 1/8" - 1" blades. Shipping/packaging was great. Has a big eye hook at the top of the machine to hoist onto a mobile base. Sometimes wish it had 2 miter slots.

Just took a peek online at the Harvey machine ... pretty impressive looking 🤔 .

Decisions, decisions ... good luck with your choice !
Click to expand...
I have the slightly cheaper version of this saw without the foot brake. It’s been a great saw for me so far. About 2 years now. Just occasional use but no complaints for the price. Does what I need - bowl blanks, some resawing, breaking down logs, general use.

Grizzly G0513Z - 17" 2 HP​

 
I have the Rikon 10-326 and recently purchased their 18 inch model 10-347. The 10-326 is a very good saw, I just wanted more power and greater resaw capacity to routinely process large blanks. The 10-326 will process large blanks though patience and extra safety precautions are required.
 
Ive owned the Grizzly GO-513X since 2006 and have cut massive amounts of planks, re-sawn all sorts and done some pretty delicate cutting on it as well. Never any issues with this machine and have only just this year(after 20 years of use) replaced the tires and bearing guides.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.
 
I have no experience with either. First question is what are you going to be cutting? How much are you going to be using it? I have an old cast iron body PM bandsaw with 3/4 hp. It is fine for cutting bowl blanks round. It is also good for cutting smaller things, but it has a max cutting height of 6 inches. I did get a Laguna 16HD which I don't think they make any more. 4.5 hp Baldor motor on it. It will stroll casually through anything I put on it, 1 1/4 inch blade and teeth at 304 inch apart. I got it mostly for cutting slabs for my bowls. Max cutting height is 16 inches, and I never turn bowls bigger than that. I could set it up for resawing if I wanted, but I do rough the slabs first with a chainsaw, then take the slabs to the big saw to cut blanks that have parallel sides. HUGE time saver. I had thought about a bandsaw mill, but too often that seems to make long sections that have knots in them, and I can't cut around them as easily. I prefer to but off rounds from a log and then process them. A carbide tipped blade can give you almost zero tear out sections of veneer, but it takes a lot of work to get it set up correctly. Rikon does have a good reputation. Grizzley does have some fair machines, but I still think their "professional" grade tools are better over all quality. Their "hobby grade" tools seemed to be hit or miss. They may have upgraded their focus on hobby grade.

robo hippy
 
One thing that I would include in the consideration, were I in your shoes, is the historic tendency of Grizzly to change models frequently. What they're selling this year may be replaced by something similar but not identical next year. If a problem develops, it would be troublesome if parts are not available. Hopefully, Grizzly tool owners can chime in and say whether this is a concern.
 
From Grizzly support site .... someone asked - "Do you discontinue parts?" ....

Grizzly's response -

"We're committed to keeping replacement parts available while a machine is in production and for up to five years after it has been discontinued.
If a part has been discontinued, we may still be able to fulfill your order if we have stock remaining. If not, we’ll be happy to check whether a substitute part from another machine can function properly with yours. "


For what it's worth ... I still use a Grizzly jointer that I bought new for my Dad back in the 90's ... I ordered an On/Off switch for it from Grizzly last year with no issues.
 
John K Jordan said:
When you say you want a bandsaw "for general use", what does that mean? Maybe note anything specific you want to do with it.

I don't have experience with those models, but my good experience with Rikon would steer me that way. Looks like it has a 13" cutting capacity, would be great to prep small logs into turning blanks, something I do a lot. The tall rip fence looks nice. I like cast iron wheels instead of aluminum on the cheaper Grizzly.

However, the Grizzly specs look better - more horsepower, wider cut. My 18" Rikon has a pretty wide cut and I use it a lot more than I thought I would. I also like what appears to be a dust pickup just below the lower guides, similar to my Rikon. With that, plus a port in the lower cabinet I get almost no dust in the cabinet (using a cyclone DC). It has only a 12" cutting height like my 18" Rikon but I find that sufficient for my use.

Either of these might run better on 220v if you have it in your shop.

JKJ
Click to expand...
John, when you cut 12” logs on end like in your video, what size blade are you using along with the teeth per inch. Thanks
 
Charles Derrickson said:
I’m looking to upgrade my bandsaw. I have a rikon 10”. It works for very small stuff. I need something larger for general use purposes. I’m trying to decide between the 14” Rikon 10-326 deluxe and the 17” grizzly G0513.
The Rikon costs about $1600.
The grizzly is $1300.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these.
Click to expand...
I have the Rikon and it is a good saw. A friend of mine has the Grizzly and it is also a good saw. Can’t go wrong with either one.
 
Dean Center said:
One thing that I would include in the consideration, were I in your shoes, is the historic tendency of Grizzly to change models frequently. What they're selling this year may be replaced by something similar but not identical next year. If a problem develops, it would be troublesome if parts are not available. Hopefully, Grizzly tool owners can chime in and say whether this is a concern.
Click to expand...
certainly not a problem with the band saw he is asking about, the G0513, I've had the same since 2006 and they are still making them today. The guides I got for the newer version fit right up to my old version.
I actually have a few older machines and my most recent grizzly purchase was the G0766 Lathe in 2019. Haven't needed any parts for it but they're still producing those as well.
So as for the parts availability being an issue, I just think it's a non issue.
 
Paul Vechart said:
I have the Rikon on order. Have you cut any 12” logs on end with the 3/8” blade?
Click to expand...

I don't have that saw but can say this: even with a significantly under-powered bandsaw (by today's standards), an old Delta 14" with a riser block, I had zero problems cutting big 12 long logs standing on end or ripping 12" diameter logs using a 3tpi blade. (I describe this in my bandsaw video.) I must have cut 100s of blanks for drying with that saw before I bought the 18" Rikon. I forget the HP on the Delta but I had no problem with green or dry wood or resawing. I used a 1/2" blade instead of a 3/8" but I can't imagine that making much difference unless cutting very tight radii. With less power, I just had to cut a little slower. Sharp/sharp/sharp blade of course. I had Lenox blades made at a local Lenox bandsaw shop, sharpened each on several times.

Just make sure the guides are adjusted and the tension is right!

JKJ
 
John K Jordan said:
I don't have that saw but can say this: even with a significantly under-powered bandsaw (by today's standards), an old Delta 14" with a riser block, I had zero problems cutting big 12 long logs standing on end or ripping 12" diameter logs using a 3tpi blade. (I describe this in my bandsaw video.) I must have cut 100s of blanks for drying with that saw before I bought the 18" Rikon. I forget the HP on the Delta but I had no problem with green or dry wood or resawing. I used a 1/2" blade instead of a 3/8" but I can't imagine that making much difference unless cutting very tight radii. With less power, I just had to cut a little slower. Sharp/sharp/sharp blade of course. I had Lenox blades made at a local Lenox bandsaw shop, sharpened each on several times.

Just make sure the guides are adjusted and the tension is right!

JKJ
Click to expand...
Thanks John.
 
I have a 18" Grizzly and I was totally unhappy with it and was looking to replace it. But I ran across replacing the guides and thought why not try these and spend a couple hundred. Well I spent whatever it was on a set of Carter guides and I cannot be happier. It is now a great bandsaw. This is just a caution as to Grizzly products not to say that they haven't upgraded their products in all these years. Just my experience.
 
I was down to the Harvey and the Laguna 14|BX. I liked the Harvey but the price seemed to change every day. They’d drop the price of the saw and raise the shipping cost, etc. It was frustrating to me. But, it does seem a very, very nice saw and it doesn’t seem to need Carter guides. In the end, I used Black Friday to purchase my Laguna and immediately swapped the ceramic guides for Carter guides as I read reviews suggesting the ceramic guides were fine for re-sawing but less than ideal for bowl blanks. Incidentally, I also bought the Carter circle cutter, log mill and miter mill. After all that, I love everything I bought. Setting up the saw was surprisingly easy and the Carter stuff is really well made. Two comments though: The wheel kit for the Laguna is sub-par. I wish I had bought the Harvey M1500 Pro and the Carter circle cutter is great except for the rear clamp. It’s a pain to install. I just use a quick clamp instead and it works great. With this setup, bowl blanks are easy!
 
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