242
people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #119,922 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★☆
Like several others who received the saw from the Pennsylvania ...
I have had this saw for about eight-months now. Like several others who received the saw from the Pennsylvania "hub" the base of my saw was the opposite of flat. In fact there was almost a 3/8 inch deviation...the culprit -- the right rear corner. After briefly wondering which ancient deities I had inadvertently offended, I jury-rigged a series of clamps / fulcrums and left the tool in its make-shift "attitude adjustment" home for a week. Much to my dismay it only took away about half of the warp. After realizing it was a loosing battle -- and not wanting to go through hassle of returning it -- I decided I would just shim it out on the base I made for the stand. (RIKON 13-913 10-Inch Band Saw Stand -- a well-constructed item in its own right.)
Despite the warped base, once properly shimmed out, this saw performs far better than expected and the overall build quality and functionality are very good. While I have yet to have an opportunity to cut any eight-inch laminated maritime support beams, I have cross-cut and re-sawed various hard and soft woods up to three and one-half inches thick.
The Excellent:
1. Heavy sturdy construction.
2. Tracking adjustments do not require a PhD in Spatial Quantum Mechanics.
3. Dust port allows for the removable of most dust.
4. A cast iron table that in my case was flat and square.
5. Small footprint (compared to its larger sized cousins.)
The Good:
1. It includes a fence that can be adjusted properly at least eight times out of 10.
2. The Miter slot is adequately milled. (Although it is a non-standard size.)
2. Drift has remained almost constant.
3. Overall value versus other 10-inch band saws.
4. The included directions and parts lists DO NOT require the Rosetta Stone to read.
The Bad:
1. The included blade - at least in my case. It cut like someone had used it to re-saw cement blocks and afterwards smashed the teeth with a pneumatic jack-hammer for good measure. Do yourself a favor a purchase a POWERTEC 13181X as a replacement.
2. No stand included.
3. Miter gauge not included.
Conclusion: A great addition to your garage/home workshop.
