Dream band saw

[Steve Brisco]

Rikon 10-324 14" saw does everything I need it to do and then some. Bought it at Highland in Atlanta 10 years ago. The Rikon is tough enough to survive being manhandled handled by a moving company.

 

[Wally Crawford]

Just got mine to upgrade from my 10-326 Rikon which was underpowered for what I do. I got the PM 1800 and love it.

 

[Steve Worcester]

I have long wondered about the quick tension release things. I have never had one, and I never notice any "bumps" in my wheel as I cut. I never release the tension. Had the saw for 15 or so years.

robo hippy

I don't release tension ever. Havent had to change

Would love see a picture of your bandsaw outfeed table.

I can't find any pictures, but it is essentially a 2x4 frame with 3/4" plywood on top and it rested on the lathe bed that was across from it, so I didn't need legs.
Before I put the top on it, I c-clamped it to the backside of the bandsaw table top (compensating for the thickness of the plywood so it would be smooth transition) and drilled two holes though the frame and the cast iron bandsaw table. So to attach it, two bolts (1/2" x? I think) washers and wing nuts. I don't have the table anymore since I am not physically capable of doing big stuff, or logs.

 

[Webb Willmott]

Are the newer bandsaws better at dust collection?

 

[Wally Crawford]

My new PM is so much better than the old Rikon. There is no dust inside the cabinet when I am done cutting. I have not done a lot of ripping which creates the long ribbons, but so far so good. If I need to, I will cut out the webbing built into the dost collection ports ala Robo.

 

[Roger Wiegand]

The ideal band saw is, of course, at least two band saws. I love my new-to-me Centauro/MM20. Huge cut height, tons of power, can easily cut 16" wide 1/16" thick veneers, big table, and so on. (the foot brake is surprisingly useful), but I'm very happy that I kept my 14" delta as well. Swapping blades on the MM20 is a bit of a chore, so having the small saw for making curved cuts with skinny blades is ideal. Swapping blades on the Delta is pretty quick. I keep a 1" 3 tpi carbide blade on the MM20, not so good for cutting tight curves. I only seldom cut turning blanks on the band saw, getting them into rough shape with a chain saw then adjusting the final bowl orientation between centers on the lathe.

Dust collection on the MM20 is OK, not great, but this saw is probably at least 15 years old.

 

[John K Jordan]

Are the newer bandsaws better at dust collection?

Some seem to be. One feature I love is an extra 4" angled collection port just below the lower guides as well the usual port in the bottom cabinet. This angled port picks up a lot of the dust that would otherwise drop into the lower cabinet. My 18" Rikon came with this and I've seen others.

I wrote about this before: I enhanced the pickup below the guides even more by designing a box that pulled air sideways across the blade. Since adding that I rarely see more than a pinch of dust in the cabinet. (would have to be removed to tilt the table but I never tilt the table. - If I want an angled cut I make a quick wedge for the top of the table. Do that for the drill press too)

The left end is open to allow air to enter and direct dust down into the port.



I designed a prototype for this plastic box years ago from a piece of cardboard. It worked so well I used it for years before making the plexiglass version. I use small magnets to hold the box in place - comes off in seconds. The clear plastic lets me see if the port is getting overloaded particularly stringy fibers occasionally seen when cutting with the grain with some wet wood.



This works SO well I wouldn't buy another bandsaw without the angled port. If I did, I cut an ellipse in the cabinet and fabricate my own port.

JKJ

 

[Webb Willmott]

Thank you John. I’ve seen your previous post and have a similar box on my current bandsaw but I’m really interested to know about those that have purchased new saws recently and what manufacturers have done to improve dust collection since I’m planning a second upgraded saw for my new shop.

For example, the Harvey Alpha looks like from pictures have added a dust chute between the trunnions which the Ambassador doesn’t have. However I’m just guessing based off pictures.

 

[Joel Daniels]

For example, the Harvey Alpha looks like from pictures have added a dust chute between the trunnions which the Ambassador doesn’t have. However I’m just guessing based off pictures.

I have the Harvey Ambassador. It has 2 4" ports - same as the Alpha HW615. Looks like the Alpha A-15 only has a single port.

My only comparison is against a 1980's Craftsman 12" which had just a single 2.5" port with an open underside. I get very little sawdust in the Ambassador's cabinet. Where it collects is in the lower door, along the bottom inside of the door, there's a lip where the sawdust collects. But, other than that, no sawdust collects. I could probably get better results with a better dust collection system. I have a Jet 1100. Main trunk is 6", but it is reduced to 4" on the run down to the bandsaw (the ducts are above the 10' high ceiling joists and the bandsaw is in the middle of the shop). I then split the 4" into 2 4" feeds into the 2 bandsaw ports. So, I probably don't have the best setup for dust collection. Even still, very little sawdust collects in the cabinet.

 

[John K Jordan]

really interested to know about those that have purchased new saws recently and what manufacturers have done to improve dust collection

Without buying a bunch of bandsaws for comparison (I'm broke and out of room) I can't help you there, except to note that some new models I've seen appear to have angled ports below the guides and some don't. It's difficult to get an effective comparison from someone who hasn't spent quality time with at least multiple bandsaws..

Maybe someone in the woodworking universe has done some real-world comparison evaluations. Maybe even with both green and dry wood. And different DCs. And different blades.

I think what makes the most difference is the dust collector. With any saw there is no comparison between a shop vac and a 5hp long-cone ClearVue cyclone.

JKJ

 

[Webb Willmott]

I have the Harvey Ambassador. It has 2 4" ports - same as the Alpha HW615. Looks like the Alpha A-15 only has a single port.

My only comparison is against a 1980's Craftsman 12" which had just a single 2.5" port with an open underside. I get very little sawdust in the Ambassador's cabinet. Where it collects is in the lower door, along the bottom inside of the door, there's a lip where the sawdust collects. But, other than that, no sawdust collects. I could probably get better results with a better dust collection system. I have a Jet 1100. Main trunk is 6", but it is reduced to 4" on the run down to the bandsaw (the ducts are above the 10' high ceiling joists and the bandsaw is in the middle of the shop). I then split the 4" into 2 4" feeds into the 2 bandsaw ports. So, I probably don't have the best setup for dust collection. Even still, very little sawdust collects in the cabinet.

Thank you for the report. Upon close inspection of pictures, the Alpha does have lower 4” port. So far, I’ve heard nothing n
But good reports on the Harvey saws which is swaying my decision on what to buy.

 

[Joel Daniels]

Where it collects is in the lower door, along the bottom inside of the door, there's a lip where the sawdust collects.

Here’s a pic of what I’m talking about.

 

[Webb Willmott]

Here’s a pic of what I’m talking about.
View attachment 85855

I would call it a A-/B+ if that’s all you get. How do you like the saw overall? Best question is would you buy it again?