Ridgid bandsaw

[sprucegum]

I bought one of the lowest rated Chinese knock off bandsaws. The only thing good about it was the 50 dollar price tag. The tires were non-existent, the legs were bent and wobbly, the table was rusted and the upper guide was broken. A harbor freight mobile base fixed the legs, elbow grease cleaned the table, new tires weren't expensive, and I bought some lower end ball bearing guides on eBay. I'm waiting for my box of assorted blades and some half oz stick on wheel weights to balance the wheels. It will probably never be a great saw but it's a upgrade from my 12 inch craftsman. I put the Craftsman on marketplace and got 125 dollars for it for a quick sale. I would have kept the Craftsman just to leave a narrow blade on but I don't have room enough.

 

[woodtickgreg]

Thats actually not a bad saw once its all tuned up.

 

[ripjack13]

I bought one of the lowest rated Chinese knock off bandsaws.

The entire internet agrees. replacing the tires, balancing the wheels and adjusting the motor pulley is a good place to start.
Ridgid is hit or miss with their offerings. Hopefully you can make this work in your favor.

 

[sprucegum]

The entire internet agrees. replacing the tires, balancing the wheels and adjusting the motor pulley is a good place to start.
Ridgid is hit or miss with their offerings. Hopefully you can make this work in your favor.

I've got a Ridgid 6 inch jointer that I bought new at least 15 years ago and it's a very good machine.

 

[sprucegum]

I finally finished putting this thing together, the stick on wheel weights worked good for balancing the wheels. The vibration is not bad and I think when I replace the dried up old drive belt it will get better. The eBay sealed bearing guides run quiet and the cam adjustment works good once I figured it out. The assortment of blades that I bought are pretty fine toothed for resawing but it seems to have enough power if I get a couple of course resaw blades. If I deduct the $125 that I sold the old one for the upgrade to a bigger saw only cost about $180. I've been collecting materials and doing back of my mind design for a fence that will adjust for drift and will cost mostly time.

 

[duncsuss]

I've had one of these for about 10 years (I bought it new) - not the best, but works for me.

I changed the belt for the type with links, and put a sheet of 3/4" MDF between the saw and the stand - together these mods reduced vibration quite a lot.

Then I bought the Grizzly 6" riser kit, now it has a 12" max depth of cut. I wouldn't use it to resaw stuff, but it's great for rounding half-logs into bowl blanks, with a Timber Wolf blade it can get through about 11" high pieces of green wood.

 

[sprucegum]

I've had one of these for about 10 years (I bought it new) - not the best, but works for me.

I changed the belt for the type with links, and put a sheet of 3/4" MDF between the saw and the stand - together these mods reduced vibration quite a lot.

Then I bought the Grizzly 6" riser kit, now it has a 12" max depth of cut. I wouldn't use it to resaw stuff, but it's great for rounding half-logs into bowl blanks, with a Timber Wolf blade it can get through about 11" high pieces of green wood.

I thought about padding it with a sheet of mdf or plywood. Adding a mobile base has already raised it a little so it is plenty high already, probably another 3/4" wouldn't make much difference. I'm definitely going to pick up a link belt next time I go to hobo freight. The belt that is on it had probably not turned in years and it is dry and stiff. I've been looking at the timber Wolf blades and will probably order one.

 

[woodtickgreg]

I thought about padding it with a sheet of mdf or plywood. Adding a mobile base has already raised it a little so it is plenty high already, probably another 3/4" wouldn't make much difference. I'm definitely going to pick up a link belt next time I go to hobo freight. The belt that is on it had probably not turned in years and it is dry and stiff. I've been looking at the timber Wolf blades and will probably order one.

Look at the supercut blades. @Mike1950 turned me on to them. They work great and are far less expensive. I just ordered them and they arrive on my porch, lol.

 

[sprucegum]

Look at the supercut blades. @Mike1950 turned me on to them. They work great and are far less expensive. I just ordered them and they arrive on my porch, lol.

I ordered a couple of 1/2" x 3tpi. Most Internet advice recommends not going over 1/2" without upgrading the tension spring. If I have any serious resawing to do I will use my mill.