Rikon 10-3061 Fence Adjustment // Latest Model Fully Adjustable Fence // EP64

[@PaulLebow]

So Rikon customer service sent me a completely new fence carrier with the cam lever. This had plastic pads on the back surface instead of chrome headed plastic set screws. The lever now can go to the fully locked down position (paste wax makes it even smoother). It seems they gave up any attempt to adjust the clamping pressure as the plastic cam wears. With the plastic pads the fence now clamps without shifting around vertically as the old one did. So far still lovin' the saw. Bought a cheapie sewing machine LED magnetic lamp - works great. Also an Olsen 4tpi blade to see if I get more uniform resaw type cuts on thick boards without bowing.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Very interesting, I need to look into this!

[@johnhannon]

Thanks Chris! I just bought one and I am setting it up. So far, I am very impressed with it.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Glad to hear it, John. I'm on month 4 with mine. Very happy with this little workhorse!

[@PaulLebow]

After looking at other comments here, I took another look at the fence locking mechanism. To make it so the cam can easily lock in the downward position, the two chrome headed set screws (on the blade side of the guide) have to be backed so far out that their nylon tips are no longer gliding on the aluminum channel groove. Just aluminum to aluminum. But then the chrome heads bind against the far side of the channel groove. A design flaw. The suggestion below to sand down the nylon guides probably referred to the nylon tip of those chrome set screws. At least the heads won't bind.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks for sharing, Paul..I had a similar problem and contacted Rikon. They sent me a set of thinner bushings. That seemed to improve the locking. That was only a few months after I bought the saw. Wow, I thought they would've improved that with stock components by now. It sounds like they need to hear that feedback from us.

[@PaulLebow]

@@benchtopwoodworks I did get a response from Rikon customer support. They are sending a replacement part but not clear what that is. A little paste wax helped with the binding cam but there is almost no adjustment to square the fence. Hopefully the new part will help.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

If it's the same they sent me, I think it's a thinner set of Nylon bushings. I'm really surprised they haven't fixed this problem in production. Glad to hear that they're making it right.

[@PaulLebow]

Apparently they replaced two adjustment screws with nylon pads. Sounds like for the first version of this fix, the pads were too thick.

[@dennismurphy5710]

Your videos on the Rikon 10 inch are clear and well done...thank you

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thank you, Dennis!

[@watermain48]

Do you have a video about adjusting the fence to make it square to the miter slot? Great video, subbed after watching it. Thanks.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Bill, I don't have a specific video on squaring the fence/table, but this video includes my entire setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIfEooKejNhqn6M Thank you for watching, and for the kind words and sub!

[@watermain48]

@@benchtopwoodworks I started over and got the fence aligned nicely. Thanks for the video. Saw is working awesome.

[@tomowens2720]

thanks Chris. my brain is in churn mode for my soon to exist combo 306 bandsaw and Jet mortiser back to back, roll around cart with storage for my table saw sled and panel sled. afterwards I'm prolly gonna have to make some furniture to justify all these toys. Tools......my drug of choice!

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Haha, in my opinion shop improvements are always time well spent....we have the same drug of choice. It sounds like you have a lot of them going. Rarely do I regret the time I spend improving things because I'm more efficient in the end on "real" projects.

[@dougwainwright1457]

Thanks Chris. Haven’t taken mine out of the box yet still making the portable stand. Enjoyed watching the video going to put that on my list of things to do during the set up. Doug

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks , Doug I appreciateit. I think you're really going to like your new saw when you get it set up. I'm very impressed with it

[@gordonsteeves9950]

Thanks Chris, I am getting a 10-3061 in a couple of weeks, sure am looking forward :)

[@benchtopwoodworks]

That's awesome, I'm sure you're as pumped as I was

[@PaulLebow]

How did you adjust the cam so it locks all the way down properly? I back out all set screws and the cam only goes half way if I force it. Also notice how the fence flexes off the table when clamped down. Makes fine adjustments difficult. This is a design flaw in my opinion. Also I, with the stock blade cutting thick pine, like splitting a 2x4 into 3/4 strips, the vertical cut is wobbly even though the blade tension is set to

[@dougwainwright1457]

Took mine out of the box today and watched your video once more on adjusting the fence. Did everything I could to get the cam locked but could not do it. Will have to look into it again tomorrow maybe the thickness of the cam is too much but hate to start removing plastic. We will see.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Mine is still very tight, Doug. Much better than when I started. I haven't called them to see if there are adjustments not in manual. If you solve the tightness, completely, I'd appreciate it if you would share it with us, here. They definitely need the feedback

[@tomowens2720]

I will check your vid out Chris, thanks. I don't have a channel myself or I would share my bandsaw/mortiser contraption when its finished. Health and happiness to all of us from Taipan Woodworks.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Sounds very interesting, Tom!

[@billkaroly]

Start a channel.

[@tomowens2720]

Also regards fence lock problems, Rikon is aware of the problem. Contact them and they will send you replacement glides for the locking mechanism.

[@joecouncil]

A video on how you Made the Cube bookcase would be Great..

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks, Joe. I didn't record that project fully (we needed them quickly for homeschool), but I did draft plans and will publish them soon. I may have some footage, but it will likely be a plans only project Thanks for the motivation!

[@carriethecook]

I am having trouble with my fence not being square to the table. What do I need to adjust that?

[@benchtopwoodworks]

I think you can adjust how the fence clamps to the shoe for squareness

[@tomowens2720]

I urge folks that have bandsaw and those soon to acquire one to watch the Alex Snodgrass bandsaw setup youtube vid

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Great video, I checked it out. Thanks for sharing. I made one for the 306, initial setup you may be interested in to supplement.

[@markevans3027]

I had to remove the two slide in nylon shims and sand them down on some 220 sand paper. Now i can lock the rip fence down with one finger and the fence is rock solid without it feeling like it is going to break the blue handle. Also put a small dap of oil on the blue handle cam.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks for sharing that, Mark!

[@johnroth8275]

Great tip, thanks

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks for watching, John

[@billkaroly]

I'm going to order one of these so thanks! Seems to me there's nothing better for the money.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

That's the conclusion I came to, Bill. I would have liked to try the WEN, but after seeing the Rikon in person I was sold. Best of luck, Sir.

[@davidletz9123]

Thanks Chris, got this model earlier this month and put it together yesterday, and like you, I had trouble with the rip fence locking without a lot of effort. Even with the nylon set screws fully backed off, it still takes effort to fully seat the locking handle, and the other end of the fence wants to "buck up" in the process. I wonder if the nylon shims inside the sliding mechanism are a tad too thick? From what I have read/seen , that was the problem on the 10-306.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

David, that might be the root of it. I think that's one of the changes between the 306 and 306-1. After adjustment mine is no longer as difficult, it made a creaking noise at first that it no longer makes. I do like how firm the fence is, but I still think it could be better from the manufacturer.

[@dougwainwright1457]

This morning I added just a touch of lube to the cam area. It’s a smoother ride to full lock but tight. Going to leave for now but still Considering reducing the size of cam. Doug

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks, Doug. What did you use? I might try some wax. What do you think shaving/sanding the front bushings (ones that contact the inside of the rail opposite the cam) before the cam? I need to take another close look at the root of this.

[@dougwainwright1457]

@@benchtopwoodworks Just a touch of WD40 to see if it helped but like your suggestion of wax, think l will try paraffin, l have an old block in the cabinet.

[@tomowens2720]

Just watched the vid. Nice stuff man! Another bit of helpful info......maybe....IDK. Miter gauges have limited use on a bandsaw especially one with a 5/8" miter slot. However the miter gauge that comes with the WEN belt/disk sander combo machine has a 5/8" bar. All of the these type machines are the same just different brands. So......run out and buy another tool folks!

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Thanks for sharing the tips, Tom!

[@tomowens2720]

Hey Chris I just watched this vid I'm awaiting my new 306 model. I been wondering how high I need to make a platform for it on the end of my bench. Seems like yours might be a good height for me. How high is your fence from the floor? Thanks

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Tom, my table height for my bandsaw (and the rest of my workbench) is 38.75" (~ 984mm). I'm 71" tall and really like the working height. I haven't made a video for my latest bandsaw mount, but I did draw plans for it. Thanks for watching, and taking the time to ask. I hope that helps with your design!