Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw Unboxing and Review

In this video I'll be unboxing, Setting up, and reviewing my new Rikon Bandsaw, The 10-305 Benchtop model will be a wonderful addition to my shop and a great starter saw for someone who's never owned a Bandsaw before!!
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This is a listing of the main tools I have in my workshop
biglousworksho...
Here's the link to both the Saw and the Stand.
Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw: amzn.to/2GIm6Ej
Rikon Bandsaw Stand: amzn.to/2N7cELJ

[@teedbute4978]

Perfect Unboxing ! Can it cut steel ??

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thanks so much... unfortunately this model cannot... however the next model up from it, the 10-3061: 10″ Deluxe Bandsaw, which I have upgraded to, has two blade speeds which I believe can be used to cut metal with the right blade!! I hope that helps!

[@JkCanvas]

Always like getting new tools and playing with them for the first time. Love the helium voice. Cannot wait for more videos.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

HAHAHA... yeah... I thought it was a nice touch!! Thanks!!

[@731Woodworks]

Nice review. Thanks for posting.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Hey man thanks!!

[@FranklinWoodWorks2016]

I had that bandsaw for a couple of years, and loved it. I traded it for a bigger one, but I wish I had kept it. It's always good to have a small bandsaw around.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

yeah I'm super please with it!! But if figures that like a month after I got it they came out with the Deluxe version that has the better fence, higher re-saw, and quick release tension bar on the back!! I'm REALLY considering getting the deluxe and selling this one on craigslist or something.

[@FranklinWoodWorks2016]

@@BigLousWorkshop If you're going to do any resawing with it, I suggest you check out a green woodturner's blade (it's a type, not a brand). Even a good Woodslicer (brand) will challenge the horsepower. But I still loved the saw.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Right on man... thanks for the info!!

[@jeffoldham3466]

i have got the rikon 10-305 and it is a good saw,,,,but the sliding blade guide on the front of saw is a nightmare,,,,i hate it,,,it would so so much easier to have a door that would open up to install a new blade,,for that reason,,im looking to purchase a saw that does have it

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I agree that getting the blade in and out of that little slit in the guard was a pain. I have since upgraded to the 10-3061 Deluxe and so far it's just an all around better version of the 10-305.

[@tommcnally6298]

Nice review, just bought the Rikon 10 3061

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Excellent!! Congrats on the new saw!! I’ll be upgrading this week myself!!

[@fgovino]

I’m looking for this one too. Do you like it?

[@DavidBealeakaFKD]

Thanks for sharing - Rikon must have watched your KZbin - the new 10-306 I'm thinking of buying has several improvements that you asked for - a clip for the allen wrenches - clip for the new and improved fence, and it comes with a bit more power (1/2 vs 1/3). All for an extra hundred and a bit. (Canadian price difference was $380 to $499 so $119 more for the enhancements). Your video helped me select this saw for my small shop.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

This makes me happy my friend!! I’m so thrilled you were able to find it useful!! And yes... I’ll be upgrading to the 10-306 in the next few months!!

[@DavidBealeakaFKD]

Still weighing the benefits of this 10" vs a 14" with 8.75" cutting capacity and 1 hp motor.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I went with this one due to space and budget limitations, but I fully plan on getting a larger saw once I can justify it. But then I'll still keep the small 10 in saw with a thin blade on it for tight curves and what not!!

[@DavidBealeakaFKD]

@@BigLousWorkshop came home with a Rikon 10-306 in my SUV today. . . . now to make space for it in my small shop.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Congrats my man!!!

[@jeremymeadows263]

Commander Rikon!!! Love the review Lou!

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Carry on Number 1!!

[@jimcarter4929]

good review.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!

[@daveo112763]

How high does the guard go up for resawing boards?

[@BigLousWorkshop]

not high at all... it's just a hair under 4 inches... plus this saw really does not have the power to do any real re-sawing. This saw is really better for quick cuts and curves. If re-sawing is something you're wanting to do I would suggest a 14in with more capacity and power, I have the Rikon 10-326 Deluxe in addition to this one. Hope that helps!

[@bruiser1115]

did you change the blade for resaw?

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Not specifically for re-saw, but I did buy a higher end blade than came with the saw! This saw only has a 4in height capacity and the motor is not strong enough for re-sawing, it's not what it was designed for. If you're looking to do re-sawing then I would suggest at minimum a 14in unit with a decent motor!!

[@rodpotts2666]

On Board !

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thank you very much!!

[@jeffewert9202]

What did you use to clean the oil off of the table?

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I just used Mineral Spirits, there was not nearly as much grease on there as I was expecting, it was pretty easy to clean!

[@mrk1075]

Hey Lou, Today I just ordered the Rikon 10 - 306 online from Menards for $399. : )

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Hey man that’s great!! Congrats on the new tool!

[@mrk1075]

Big Lou's Workshop Thank! 👍

[@mrk1075]

Big Lou's Workshop Got my Rikon 306 bandsaw today and set it up and cuts just like you said “like butter”

[@BigLousWorkshop]

EXCELLENT!!!!!

[@ellisstewart8905]

Your fence bracket is not installed correctly.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

only in that one shot... I aligned it properly before I started making cuts... Good lookin out though!!

[@ellisstewart8905]

Big Lou's Workshop It is a good little saw 😃

[@Hoist2Crew]

Just found your channel, great reviews. Noticed at 5:30, the rail doesn't appear to be attached flush with edge of the table. If you look end-on, the bottom ledge of the table seems to be in the u channel of rail not the raised footing, leaving the rail tilted upwards at the front. Perhaps why your fence is loose. Keep up the great work; new subscriber

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thanks so much for the support, I REALLY appreciate it! And yes you're right about the rail not being flush during that test cut, I was in a hurry to try the saw out for the first time! I have since made sure that everything is lined up correctly and fence still has quite a bit of slop in it when not tightened down. I've spoken to Rikon support about it and it's one of the main things they corrected on the new version of this saw, the 10-306!!

[@davidletz9123]

Hello Big Lou, I am looking at band saws and found this video. How easy are blade changes on the 10-305? Still like the saw? Any issues crop up since the video? Also, what blade stays on the tool the most? Thanks!

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thanks so much for the questions... the blade changes are pretty quick, although the really thin blades like a 3/16th had some tracking issues, so I just stayed with a 1/4in 6TPI blade, everything over that stayed in place everytime... the saw is a little under powered and I have since upgraded to the 10-3061 deluxe model cause of the slightly bigger motor, quick release blade tension lever, and the tool-less bearing guides. But if you're looking for a small benchtop saw as a starter or dedicated small blade saw then it's a good tool... but if you've got some extra funds I HIGHLY recommend going with the 10-3061 instead.

[@davidletz9123]

@@BigLousWorkshop Thank you for the ultra-quick reply! Yeah, I had a 1/3 HP Wen a few years ago, and I was routinely stalling the motor with cuts that were not all that thick.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Yup... same

[@JkCanvas]

For your dust collection check out Steven Ramsey's video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ_MYoOcYtyqpZI. I am going to build one as soon as the parts come in.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I've seen most of Steve's stuff!! I'll check it out, I'm always looking for cool ideas!! Thanks!!

[@jdj62464]

Little help on choosing a band saw, I can get a brand new Wen 3962 for $266 out the door or a brand new Rikon 10-305 for $209 out the door. Both can be bought locally so returns are easy if needed, the Wen has a stand and a little bigger resaw capacity the Rikon is a Rikon and has better reputation? Which one should I get? BTW the cheapest I can get the Rikon 10-306 10-3061 is $415 shipped , at that price we're getting into a Grizzly 14 in territory which I really don't need or want at this time.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

All I can do is tell you about my experience with the one that I have, which is of course, the 10-305. It's a really good tool, nice and solid. However, the motor is not at all strong enough to do ANY re-sawing, and the bearing guides take some very careful fine tuning to get them aligned properly. I will also say that I'm planning on upgrading to the 10-3061 next week and really wish that I had just bought that one the first time around! Far be it from me to flat out tell someone how to spend their money, but, my recommendation would be to spend the extra money and get the upgraded Rikon! I hope this helps!!

[@jdj62464]

@@BigLousWorkshop I appreciate your and anyone else's opinion. A couple of months ago when I first started looking at BS I was going to get the 10-306 for around $440 shipped, now Rikon replaced it with the 10-3061for about the same price and the 10-305 dropped to under $400. I took a second look at the Wen 3962 it bas been getting some pretty decent reviews especially for the price with my military discount it's $265 at HD, it has a 2 speed (which the 10-3061 now has) and a little bigger resaw capacity (very skeptical about that unless you're talking about balsa wood), Then yesterday I started looking at BS again and came across a brand new 10-305 for $210 tax, tag, title, the best deal I can on that model is $287 Plus shipping which puts it at $310-325 on my doorstep also that's $230 cheaper than the 10-3061. What I'm really wanting to know is the extra $220-250 dollars worth it for the amount of use it will get 3-4 times a month making cuts on 1 1/2"-2" hardwood and "if" I do any resawing it will be on 4" max wood? If the price was a lot closer between them there wouldn't be any question on which one I'd get, we're basically talking about being able to get 2 10-305's for the price of 1 10-3061. Again Thanks for your.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

For my money the bigger motor on the 10-3061 is worth every penny!! I know from personal experience just this week that the 10-305 will stall when trying to cut through even some soft wood!!

[@jdj62464]

@@BigLousWorkshop hope you'll make a video on the 10-3061 once you get it.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I'm gonna be doing a build video for the mobile stand I'll be making for it, and I'll talk about why I'm upgrading and some of the main differences, but it wont be an assembly video like this one is!!

[@mrk1075]

Curly, what do you think about the 10 - 306 bandsaw from rikon?

[@BigLousWorkshop]

How dare you refer to me as Curly when I’m clearly Uncle Fester LMFAO!!! I honestly wish I’d waited to buy the 306 cause the features it offers are some of the biggest dislikes I have about the 305! I’m probly going to upgrade to it soon!!

[@mrk1075]

Big Lou's Workshop I just thought you look like one of the three stooges. 😀 but if you do get the 10 - 306 then make a video of it. I also subscribed to your channel. 👍

[@BigLousWorkshop]

Thank you sir!! I greatly appreciate the support, and if I do upgrade to the 306 I’ll certainly cover it!!

[@algorel4763]

Can anyone recommend what brand other than Rikon, to buy a 5/8” bar Mitre Gauge. Craftsman , Skill, Ryobi, etc for my 305 Rikon Thanks!

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I have not had the need for an actual mitering miter gauge, that's why I just made my own from some scraps. As I said in the review the fact that the miter slot is only 5/8th is one of my biggest complaints about this saw!! But Rikon does make one that fits it if you really need one. Or... you could just take a regular after market one and attach your own guide rail so it fits in the 5/8 slot!! Hope this helps!

[@algorel4763]

Big Lou's Workshop I would like to hear from your viewers who purchased a different brand Mitre that worked. Most of these small band saws have a 5/8” slot. It has become common today.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I gotcha... no worries... out of curiosity why not just buy the Rikon one??

[@algorel4763]

Big Lou's Workshop Bad reviews, very low quality