Evening, folks
Looking for a sanity check here on a band saw. I'd like to first give a little description of the proposed usage of this tool and see if I'm on the right track.
Despite this being a woodworker forum, I cant call myself a woodworker. I mainly do blacksmithing and make knives. Secondarily and more recently, I've done wood turning. Bowls and rings mainly and rather enjoy it.
I have a small 10x10 grinding shop with belt grinders, metal cutting portaband, small metal lathe and mini mill and random buffers/grinders. I also have a 12x20 shop with benches, assembly areas, forge, anvils, press, welder and my wood lathe. That said, I dont have a ton of room.
Currently on one bench I have a Ryobi 9 inch rattle trap band saw. I mainly use this for cutting handle scales for knives. I've recently got a vacuum pot and will be experimenting with resins and stabilized wood. The Ryobi is sufficient in that I've rarely (if ever) felt the need for a larger tool, I would just like something a bit more precise and refined.
I realize there will be the crowd that says 'get a 14 inch bandsaw at a minimum' but I'm struggling to find the space and also wondering if I 'really' need that large. Sure, if I can find the space, a 14 is going to be better than a 10, but I dont resaw lumber. I dont work with larger pieces to make furniture, etc. I typically only work with small items. As mentioned, I've not felt my current setup is too small, just not refined and accurate. I think probably the most I would use this for that needs some level of precision is breaking down larger sections of wood into bookmatched knife scales or small ring blanks. I would like the ability to cut out some bowl blanks for bowls around 8 inches or some small burl pieces for turning.
I've looked at a 10 inch Delta or a 10 inch Rikon. I'd like it to be easily adjusted and set up. It will be bolted to my workbench. I'd love to build a stand that I could put casters on to move around, but the footprint on a 10 v 14 isnt much and so I'm back to the space issue.
So some advice... given my space constraints and intended use, am I on the right track here? Is there another model I should be looking at? If not, is there a preferred consensus on Delta v Rikon? With either of those two mentioned really be an upgrade over my current Ryobi given the investment? FWIW, I've checked locally as best I can and found nothing used. I think Facebook has a for sale section, but I dont do Facebook.
Appreciate any feedback!
Looking for a sanity check here on a band saw. I'd like to first give a little description of the proposed usage of this tool and see if I'm on the right track.
Despite this being a woodworker forum, I cant call myself a woodworker. I mainly do blacksmithing and make knives. Secondarily and more recently, I've done wood turning. Bowls and rings mainly and rather enjoy it.
I have a small 10x10 grinding shop with belt grinders, metal cutting portaband, small metal lathe and mini mill and random buffers/grinders. I also have a 12x20 shop with benches, assembly areas, forge, anvils, press, welder and my wood lathe. That said, I dont have a ton of room.
Currently on one bench I have a Ryobi 9 inch rattle trap band saw. I mainly use this for cutting handle scales for knives. I've recently got a vacuum pot and will be experimenting with resins and stabilized wood. The Ryobi is sufficient in that I've rarely (if ever) felt the need for a larger tool, I would just like something a bit more precise and refined.
I realize there will be the crowd that says 'get a 14 inch bandsaw at a minimum' but I'm struggling to find the space and also wondering if I 'really' need that large. Sure, if I can find the space, a 14 is going to be better than a 10, but I dont resaw lumber. I dont work with larger pieces to make furniture, etc. I typically only work with small items. As mentioned, I've not felt my current setup is too small, just not refined and accurate. I think probably the most I would use this for that needs some level of precision is breaking down larger sections of wood into bookmatched knife scales or small ring blanks. I would like the ability to cut out some bowl blanks for bowls around 8 inches or some small burl pieces for turning.
I've looked at a 10 inch Delta or a 10 inch Rikon. I'd like it to be easily adjusted and set up. It will be bolted to my workbench. I'd love to build a stand that I could put casters on to move around, but the footprint on a 10 v 14 isnt much and so I'm back to the space issue.
So some advice... given my space constraints and intended use, am I on the right track here? Is there another model I should be looking at? If not, is there a preferred consensus on Delta v Rikon? With either of those two mentioned really be an upgrade over my current Ryobi given the investment? FWIW, I've checked locally as best I can and found nothing used. I think Facebook has a for sale section, but I dont do Facebook.
Appreciate any feedback!