Bandsaw blade choice for the Rikon 10-326

[Hmerkle]

First a thank you to everyone for your help with choosing a bandsaw for my BIL.

He ended up choosing the Rikon 10-326

Model 10-326: 14" Deluxe Bandsaw - RIKON Power Tools

RIKON 14" Deluxe Bandsaw with Patented features include spring-loaded tool-less blade guides, quick-adjust fence system and quick-lock trunnion table.

www.rikontools.com

He is making instruments so this will make some good curves for him, but as most of us - he intends to use it for resawing.
While it is not a Hammer or ??? he is coming from a 1980's Craftsman with 12" wheels (guessing a 14' saw...) so this is a HUGE step up.

My question is about resawing.
The 10-326 claims it is capable of a 3/4" blade. But I seem to remember someone here saying with a smaller motor (1 3/4 HP in this case) and the smaller size of a machine it is better to use a ??? size blade so that it can be tensioned properly and the motor can handle the blade.

Now, maybe that is hokum or I am simply remembering wrong... but I always ask here first!

 

[Mike Davis]

I may have posted that. In a long conversation with the former owner of woodcraft bands he advised me to use 1/2 or no larger than 5/8 bands on that saw. I think his point was the tensioning of the blade rather than horsepower.

I'd have to look but I believe I bought several 1/2 inch wide, 3 tooth per inch, skip tooth pattern.

 

[RickR]

I have the same saw and struggled to get a 3/4 blade tensioned and tracking properly. I have been using a Timberwolf 1/2 inch 4 tpi for resaw with good results, albeit mostly in dry eastern cedar.

 

[Hmerkle]

I may have posted that. In a long conversation with the former owner of woodcraft bands he advised me to use 1/2 or no larger than 5/8 bands on that saw. I think his point was the tensioning of the blade rather than horsepower.

I'd have to look but I believe I bought several 1/2 inch wide, 3 tooth per inch, skip tooth pattern.

Mike - which Rikon Bandsaw do you have?

 

[dancam]

I also have the Rikon, and I couldn't get the 3/4 inch to work properly. I use a 1/2 Wood Slicer with excellent results in oak, walnut, and some exotics.

Overall, for my uses, it's been a great saw.

 

[Roy G]

James Krenov in one of his books recommends a 1/2" blade for resewing.

Roy G

 

[Mike Davis]

Mike - which Rikon Bandsaw do you have?

10-325 The old green version.

 

[pcooper]

I have the same saw you describe and use the wood slicer resaw blade from highland hardware. (www.highlandwoodworking.com) It is a 3/4" blade and my saw runs it really well. I did upgrade the guides to the roller ones, (yours already has them if it s a blue saw). I haven't run into tension issues with mine yet. I use a 111" blade. Edited: Mine is the old green version.

 

[Hmerkle]

10-325 The old green version.

So, essentially the same version... right Mike?

 

[Mike Davis]

They made a few changes, mostly the guide, fence, and trunnion lock.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

I have the Rikon 10-325 and use a 1/2" Woodslicer blade from Highland. Very satisfied.

 

[Nscwoodcraft]

I use a 1" Resaw King and get very nice results. it's a 3tpi variable but you need a decent saw to get the right tension for a 1" blade.