Sunday Afternoon Tool Project

Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy

Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
1,077
I got the stand and base put together for my new band saw (Rikon 14" Deluxe) and the universal stand from woodcraft. Very solid and heavy. I'm pretty happy with the how smoothly it rolls, and just need to get the upper half of the saw bolted on. The upper half comes pre assembled for the most part, so it shouldn't be too bad.

The only thing I really need to do is remove the safety plate in the back that partially blocks the 4" vacuum port. It's tack welded in a few spots and once thats gone it will be much better at removing the sawdust.


stand001.jpg
 
Any one have any ideas on removing that plate without having to take off the lower wheel?

Larry
 
When you get the saw up and running, it would be nice if you give a little review. I have been thinking about getting the Rikon 10" bandsaw and it would be nice to hear what you think of the quality of your Rikon.
 
Looks like there's a plastic connector that's removable, with it out of the way a jig saw, sawzall or die grinder should be able to remove that section in place.

Hard to tell from the pics tho.

Leadfoot
 
I own the identical saw. I love it. Get a couple of good quality bi-metal and carbide blades. I use a 3/4" re-sawing blade for cutting blocks from large stock. It slices through a 4" maple burl block with ease. I have cut 12" wood on this saw and it barely slowed down. I have a 1/2" carbide tipped blade for finer cutting after stabilization.

Why do you want to cut out part of the saw? I will go look at mine to see if there is anything different, but it works fine as is AFAIK. The vacuum port doesn't need to be any larger to allow the sawdust to be sucked in, and the reduction creates higher speed air flow that should draw in the dust better. Think about the vac port on a thickness planer....it is a long thin slot. A big round circle is much less efficient.
I would not alter it.

The guides and rollers all need to be adjusted to the blade you install. They are not set at the factory. The blade that comes with the saw is OK, but like most free things, it is just temporary until you get a good one.

Time taken to set up the saw right....zero the table to the blade, square the fence, adjust the roller guides, etc. ...... is time well spent.

The saw free-wheels a long time at shut off. Don't get sloppy and reach in to remove a cut-off or wipe off the saw dust until it stops....fingers and band saw blades just don't get along well with each other.

Remember to pull the tension lever to "OFF" at the end of a cutting session...and to pull it to "ON" when you are ready to cut next time. I made a post-it sign , and put it where it hung over the start button to remind me.
 
Stacy,
HA.....great minds think alike....:D I been waiting to set this thing up for awhile, and bought it back in Dec, and it sat in the garage til now, along with that universal stand hardware. (that is a sweet set up too. Rolls like a dream) I might try the vac port as is, and see how she does. I bought a few timberwolf blades from Suffolk, when they had their deal going on, so I should be OK for awhile. I gotta say that the selling point for me was the resaw ability at 13 inches with no riser block to buy and install, plus the bigger motor.

Thanks for chiming in....

Larry
 
Well the bottom wheel was not running true, so I had to make some adjustments and I replaced the blade with a nice 1/2" Timberwolf blade (great swedish steel / less tension) and after tinkering for what seems like hours.........She is up and running like a champ.

Oh and wanted to share with you a pic of some stuff I cut today. Had this stuff drying for a long time. Love cutting burl............. cuz you never know whats inside. :D

BE015x.jpg


BE014x.jpg
 
I would compare the surface area of vacuum port with the suface area of the opening of the downward facing slot. If they are similar, no problem. If the latter much smaller than the former, I would drill enough 7/16" holes in the plate to bring the numbers into line. This presupposes that the port as constructed is ideally matched to the CFM capacity of the vacuum source.
 
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