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Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw
Pros
- Versatile
- Powerful
Cons
- No work light
- May need to adjust height
Nothing says power tools like an unexpected do-it-yourself project gone awry.
I found this out after discovering an insurmountable amount of damage caused by an ice dam leak in my home.
I quickly began asking myself how many types of saws and cutting tools does one person need to get a job done?
As I recall my in childhood, my father had one ‘go-to’ saw for just about everything – the bandsaw.
You name it, that saw cut it, and accurately too!
So, following in my father’s footsteps, I went out and bought my very own bandsaw: The Rikon 10-305.
The Rikon 10-305 Band saw gives you all the quality, power, and features of a full-size bandsaw in a compact bench top model to do everything your father’s bandsaw did.
But with an attractive, softer hit on your wallet for under $300.
The Rikon 10-305 bandsaw is versatile enough to make precision smooth straight or curved cuts on various sizes of lumber in addition to ripping, allowing the creative woodworker to save time and money.
There is no need to continually switch back and forth between various saws.
This means fewer cords and clutter in your workspace with a one ‘go-to’ saw for almost all your cutting needs.
The Nuts and Bolts
Rikon ranks highest in the market today with this powerful 10″ bandsaw featuring a removable 2″ tall rip fence, previously not included.
This removable fence gives you the ability to work hands free locking into place for jobs like ‘ripping‘.
The frame is constructed of steel plate that gives rigid stability to its 6.8 lb. weight, rather than plastic used by competitors.
Its design is easy to set up as both workbench style or in a standalone fashion. The assembled standing height reaches 33 ¼” tall with a width of 70 ½”.
When Rikon designed the 10-305 model, it spared nothing in the way of sleek practical design from its versatility to craftsmanship.
This is observed in the top and bottom compartment steel doors that open easily with a turn of a knob allowing for ready access to adjust the blade tension and perform blade changes.
Inside these doors are the balance cast wheels along with an upper and lower ball bearing guide with edge facing thrust bearings.
The lower compartment houses a 2 ½” dust port keeping your work surface virtually dust-free.
The work surface boasts a large 13 ¾” x 12 ½” cast iron table giving you added durability in this solid powerhouse.
Use of a cast iron material in a work table is unheard of quality used in such compact bandsaws as this.
While the cast iron table provides noteworthy strength, it does tend to vibrate a bit during cutting.
The table also provides an engraved ruler enabling you to measure between the fence and the blade providing convenience.
Additionally, the table tilt range is 0 degrees to the left and an up to 45 degrees to the right with the tilt controls easily accessible under the table from the front.
The driving force behind this workhorse is a 4.5 amp 1/3 HP motor capable of speeds up to 2,780 feet per minute and conveniently uses a common 110-volt outlets.
Many tests have proven this motor cuts through choice hardwoods like Cherry, Maple, and Oak without a whim.
However, with much larger projects, the motor did tend to slow mildly.
With a built-in safety paddle switch, it prevents accidental or unauthorized users from operating the equipment.
This little workhorse can expand your creativity by way of its blade options allowing you to use a ⅛” blade for scrolling your most detailed craft work or a ½” blade for heavier cutting like ripping and resawing.
The blade is 7 ½” with a maximum cutting depth of 4 15/16″.
The Pros
At the end of the day what matters most is you can complete your project you can be proud of with a worthy quality tool without breaking the bank.
When my home improvement projects go awry, I make a decision to buy tools on whether I can justify the purchase. I ask questions like:
- Will I use this tool again with frequency?
- Is it affordable versus the expense if I don’t buy it?
- Will the tool save me valuable time and money?
The Rikon 10-305 reverberated a healthy ‘YES’ to all three of these questions!
It is a flexible power tool built with professionals and advanced woodworkers in mind while leaving your wallet intact.
Whether I am ripping rails, scrolling delicate custom lattice, or crafts to remodeling my home; this compact band saw packs a punch that gives me the freedom and mobility to create and accomplish my tasks.
Many users have stated Rikon has combined all its best features and designs from its larger 10-325 and 10-345 models into this highly rated 10-305 model.
Read more reviews of the Rikon 10-305
The Cons
As ideal as this band saw is, it does have a couple of drawbacks that are certainly not deal breakers by any stretch of the imagination.
Unlike its competitors, the Rikon 10-305 does not come with a work light built into its design functionality. Lighting availability is at the mercy of your personal workstation.
Depending on your workbench height, you might need to make some modifications to make this compact gem fit just right.
The Final Cut and Buying Considerations
You might also want to check out the SKIL 3386-01 bandsaw, I’ve heard a lot of good things about it
When making power tool purchases, consider several factors. Is there a warranty? Will you be using it often? What projects will you be using it for?
Take into consideration what you need and expect from your Rikon bandsaw like horsepower, size, and versatility. Is the ⅓ HP enough for your projects and will the unit fit? Be realistic with your expectations.
Having peace of mind to know that in the event your tool fails to perform you won’t be left out in the cold (literally!) is definitely a factor to consider.
With Rikon, your purchase is backed up by their five year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship giving your purchase that needed peace of mind.
Verdict
Whether you are a professional woodworker or a semi-skilled do-it-yourself craftsman, the Rikon 10-305 is a worthy investment.
It is clearly the best choice for quality and design, along with versatility and power.
As an above average do-it-yourself homeowner and woodworker, I would highly recommend the Rikon 10-305 for moderate power, maximum versatility, ease of use, and durability.
