Bandsaws
- Thread starter Matty04
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A little late but I figure it could help someone searching this thread. Plus one for the Laguna 14/12. Outstanding customer service. My mobile base on it froze...for lack of a better term. I could not get it to raise or lower. I ended up actually bending the foot rail trying to lift it. Turned out one of the nuts over the years over tightened. Long story short I contacted customer service simply looking for how to order the part and they sent me an entire mobile kit. No charge. The freaking thing was over two years old I expected nothing but an answer. Got way more than that. Very standup company.
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Old thread I know but to close the loop and since I now have the DVR motor upgrade kit for my 10-325 bandsaw I can say after seeing and mounting the motor that I believe it could be adapted to many 14" bandsaws. You'd need to work out the blade speeds depending on your pulley diameters and most likely your existing pulley will not fit the motor shaft but that shouldn't be hard to overcome.
You can set the controller max RPM of the motor, for the Rikon 10-325 it is 2160 RPM which yields a blade speed of 4000 FPM using the high speed pulley configuration. For two of the very slow pre-programmed speeds you need to jump down to the low speed pulley setup. This motor is more than a 3ph VFD motor, it uses no brushes, no magnets, no rare earth metals. I think you can dial it down to as slow as 60 FPM IIRC. Running the right blade you can cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stainless, titanium, and various plastics.
I believe Tecknatool/Straitech have other motor upgrade kits or solutions available, so for those that have expressed interest in use on a DP or lathe or other model bandsaws you might want to contact them. I have nothing to do with Tecknatool or Straitech, but I have had the Nova DVR XP lathe for over 10 years and it's great. My history with the lathe is what convinced me to go forward with the bandsaw motor upgrade once I found out it was made for Rikon by Straitech. If there was enough interest they might even offer a upgrade kit for drill presses with custom programming but that would cut into their NOVA Voyager DP sales so not likely I think.
I'm working on getting it installed and set up on my saw. During the upgrade I found that my drive belt was in poor shape after 10 years so I have a new one (actually two) on order, should be here in a day or two. So dead in the water until I get a belt, old one is too far gone to run the saw safely.
In the mean time I have been installing the guide bearing upgrade kit from Rikon.
You can set the controller max RPM of the motor, for the Rikon 10-325 it is 2160 RPM which yields a blade speed of 4000 FPM using the high speed pulley configuration. For two of the very slow pre-programmed speeds you need to jump down to the low speed pulley setup. This motor is more than a 3ph VFD motor, it uses no brushes, no magnets, no rare earth metals. I think you can dial it down to as slow as 60 FPM IIRC. Running the right blade you can cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stainless, titanium, and various plastics.
I believe Tecknatool/Straitech have other motor upgrade kits or solutions available, so for those that have expressed interest in use on a DP or lathe or other model bandsaws you might want to contact them. I have nothing to do with Tecknatool or Straitech, but I have had the Nova DVR XP lathe for over 10 years and it's great. My history with the lathe is what convinced me to go forward with the bandsaw motor upgrade once I found out it was made for Rikon by Straitech. If there was enough interest they might even offer a upgrade kit for drill presses with custom programming but that would cut into their NOVA Voyager DP sales so not likely I think.
I'm working on getting it installed and set up on my saw. During the upgrade I found that my drive belt was in poor shape after 10 years so I have a new one (actually two) on order, should be here in a day or two. So dead in the water until I get a belt, old one is too far gone to run the saw safely.
In the mean time I have been installing the guide bearing upgrade kit from Rikon.
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4000 FPM is for resawing, but they don't define what thickness they consider 'resawing' to be.
I am going to start a thread about the motor and guide bearing upgrades where I will post loads of photos and links to a couple short YT videos.
Here is one about installing the new guide bearings.
I am going to start a thread about the motor and guide bearing upgrades where I will post loads of photos and links to a couple short YT videos.
Here is one about installing the new guide bearings.
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Hi there, I know this is an old thread but thought I'd ask how the Rikon DVR is working out for [member=60461]Bob D.[/member]
I'm looking to buy a 14" bandsaw soon and face the same Laguna or Rikon questions. Not many local sellers in the Ottawa area have a large selection in stock.
Does the DVR on the Rikon help with resawing? The literature says the motor won't bog down, is quieter and has fast breaking. Is this really the case or would a Laguna 14BX be a better saw?
I'm looking to buy a 14" bandsaw soon and face the same Laguna or Rikon questions. Not many local sellers in the Ottawa area have a large selection in stock.
Does the DVR on the Rikon help with resawing? The literature says the motor won't bog down, is quieter and has fast breaking. Is this really the case or would a Laguna 14BX be a better saw?
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Can't answer any questions on the Laguna bandsaw.
Yes, I see great improvement in resaw performance.
The saw runs quieter but I don't notice any difference in coast down times. There is the ability to use electronic braking capability but I don't. Never even tried it so can't comment on how it performs.
My Rikon 10-325 which is over 10 years old does work very well. When I installed the DVR motor upgrade about 2 years ago I also upgraded the guides using the Rikon kit and also went over the entire saw from stem to stern cleaning an adjusting everything. I spent three days to realign the saw, put new tires on the wheels, install the new guides, and swap out the motor then meticulously adjust everything.
I believe Rikon has all this rolled into their current model 10-326DVR saw. I don't know how the 10-326DVR compares to the Laguna in price, but that's easy enough for you to look up. I spent about $750 for all the upgrade parts including the motor. My 10-325 was around $700 when I bought it in 2008. So I got the equivalent for the 10-326DVR for about half the price plus some sweat equity.
https://www.toolnut.com/rikon-10-326dvr-14-deluxe-bandsaw-w-dvr-motor-1-75hp-110-220.html
Yes, I see great improvement in resaw performance.
The saw runs quieter but I don't notice any difference in coast down times. There is the ability to use electronic braking capability but I don't. Never even tried it so can't comment on how it performs.
My Rikon 10-325 which is over 10 years old does work very well. When I installed the DVR motor upgrade about 2 years ago I also upgraded the guides using the Rikon kit and also went over the entire saw from stem to stern cleaning an adjusting everything. I spent three days to realign the saw, put new tires on the wheels, install the new guides, and swap out the motor then meticulously adjust everything.
I believe Rikon has all this rolled into their current model 10-326DVR saw. I don't know how the 10-326DVR compares to the Laguna in price, but that's easy enough for you to look up. I spent about $750 for all the upgrade parts including the motor. My 10-325 was around $700 when I bought it in 2008. So I got the equivalent for the 10-326DVR for about half the price plus some sweat equity.
https://www.toolnut.com/rikon-10-326dvr-14-deluxe-bandsaw-w-dvr-motor-1-75hp-110-220.html
Thanks for the quick reply Bob. Can I ask if you went with 110V or 220V? I just got a subpanel installed and wiring set for 220V but it's still got a 110V plug right now. If 220V is recommended I'll get my electrician in to switch the plug or maybe run a new line.
Price between Laguna and Rikon 10-326DVR isn't an issue, they are close enough.
I'll primarily use this for resawing and doing the odd joinery. I've got a nice 18" Jet scrollsaw for doing fine work.
Price between Laguna and Rikon 10-326DVR isn't an issue, they are close enough.
I'll primarily use this for resawing and doing the odd joinery. I've got a nice 18" Jet scrollsaw for doing fine work.
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I'm running mine on 120V. I only have one 240V breaker in the 50A sub panel for the garage and shop and that is maxed out with the EV charger, garage lights, and then the shop lighting, HVAC, and power tools. I don't run my table saw if the car charger is on because it's too close to the limit. Usually the car is charging in the early morning so not an issue as I'm not using the table saw at 4AM.
I would do some more looking before I jumped on the Rikon. It's too bad you can't get some hands on with both. I put up a short video on me cutting some 11 inch wide 8/4 cherry not long ago. When I did I was really not happy with how the saw performed but I found out after the face that my drive belt was loose and I am sure that is where I was losing power. Even with the slipping belt it cut very well just took a little longer than I expected it to.
I haven't resawn anything near that wide since, only some 6 inch cherry and oak and I had no problem with either of those.
I would do some more looking before I jumped on the Rikon. It's too bad you can't get some hands on with both. I put up a short video on me cutting some 11 inch wide 8/4 cherry not long ago. When I did I was really not happy with how the saw performed but I found out after the face that my drive belt was loose and I am sure that is where I was losing power. Even with the slipping belt it cut very well just took a little longer than I expected it to.
I haven't resawn anything near that wide since, only some 6 inch cherry and oak and I had no problem with either of those.
Thanks for the reply. I have some extra space on my sub panel (my EV charger is on my main panel) so I'm not too worried about adding more 220V outlets, just rather not have someone in my shop during covid if I can help it.
I'm new to bandsaws but after doing some hand resawing, I think it would be a welcomed addition.
I agree, hands on would be best but I doubt that will happen for a few months/years. I figure if anyone has good recommendations for quality tools it's FOG members
I'm new to bandsaws but after doing some hand resawing, I think it would be a welcomed addition.
I agree, hands on would be best but I doubt that will happen for a few months/years. I figure if anyone has good recommendations for quality tools it's FOG members
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Well aside from a 12" Craftsman bandsaw I had 35 years ago and on the job using a Marvel vertical tilt frame bandsaw this Rikon is the extent of my bandsaw experience so I would say get more advice before you plunk your money down.
Just thought I'd pop back in on this thread with an update. I've got 3 quotes for bandsaws. A Felder FB510, MiniMax16/S440P and Laguna Lt18. I have a spreadsheet comparing the 3 models. I had a much longer list but these 3 rose to the top.
View attachment 1
Even though it is the most expensive by quite a bit I'm leaning towards the Felder with table extensions. Each extension would add an extra 12" to the size of the table. To me this beats the size of a tablesaw table easily.
Anyone have any experience with both MiniMax and Felder?
View attachment 1
Even though it is the most expensive by quite a bit I'm leaning towards the Felder with table extensions. Each extension would add an extra 12" to the size of the table. To me this beats the size of a tablesaw table easily.
Anyone have any experience with both MiniMax and Felder?
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I have the Laguna LT18 (circa 2001) and it is a great machine and has been since I bought it. I had an issue with one of the castings 10 years in and Laguna replaced that part free of charge.
I have a few different Felder machines and they have also been great. If I were in the market I would opt for the Folder myself as it has the best capacity for its size and it can easily take on other accessories like extensions as you note without having to install a mounting system. It also has a strong beam and two dust ports.
I have a few different Felder machines and they have also been great. If I were in the market I would opt for the Folder myself as it has the best capacity for its size and it can easily take on other accessories like extensions as you note without having to install a mounting system. It also has a strong beam and two dust ports.
Peter Kelly
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Wouldn't trade my MiniMax for anything. If you need more support for ripping or re-sawing long parts, get the Aigner table extension system from either Martin US or Scott & Sargeant.
https://martin-usa.com/products/table-extensionhttps://www.scosarg.com/aigner-folding-extension-table-for-machines
https://martin-usa.com/products/table-extensionhttps://www.scosarg.com/aigner-folding-extension-table-for-machines
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