The Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw is a Great Power Tool for Cutting Bowl and Pen Planks
What We Like
- Adjustable and removable rip fence
- Large cast iron table
- 100% steel frame
- Adjustable guidepost
- 4.5-Amp motor that delivers 1/3 HP
- 9-5/8 x 4-5/8 inches cutting capacity
- 10-inches wheel diameter
- Affordable
- Rollers included
What We Don’t Like
- The motor isn’t powerful enough to cut metal
- No cater for the rollers
Bottom Line
The RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw review shows that it is a great option for beginners who only need a saw for woodwork. It was designed for cutting metal since the 4.5amp motor delivers only ⅓ horsepower.
If you’re looking for a bandsaw that can be used to cut high-density metal, you need to go for something with more power, at least 1½ horsepower.
If you don’t mind the horsepower, then it would be just fine for woodcutting and cutting lean metal sheets.
It comes with a mobility kit but you’ll need to spend around $70 on a wheel cater to attach the kit.
This might look much but it’s affordable since the price of the bandsaw ranges between $300 and $400.
A bandsaw is the type of saw you buy when most of your woodwork requires precision in making contoured and intricate cuts. After all, this is what makes them a major upgrade from chainsaws that have limited uses.
Some bandsaws can be used to cut not just wood but thick metal as well. It all depends on what you want. Some others, with low power, can cut through any form of wood but not through metal.
The RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw was created specifically for woodworking. If you’re looking for a power tool that can cut through thick metal as well, this Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw article is not for you.
Not being built for thick metal cutting means it has limited use cases, but this doesn’t mean that it is a bad option. It still does what it was created to do effectively.
Related Reading: RIKON 10-324 Bandsaw
Features of the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw
Large Cast Iron Table
The table plays key roles when it’s time to cut with a bandsaw. If you don’t have enough space on the table of your bandsaw, you might be uncomfortable while cutting because you’ll not have enough room for the material and your arms.
You don’t need to worry about this with the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw as it has a wide cast iron table with a dimension of 13-3/4 x 12-1/2 inches.
So, it can accommodate more or less anything you want to cut. This table size is especially impressive since the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw is a small bandsaw that is meant for lightweight cutting.
You will have all the space for flexibility and maneuverability whenever you want to make special angled cuts. Apart from being wide, the table is made of cast iron so durability is not a problem.
It is thick and flat at the same time so the wood will relax firmly on it while the blade does its work.
Another feature of the table that supports maneuverability is the fact that it tilts 45 degrees to the right for bevel cutting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t tilt to the left like other bigger bandsaws.
4.5-Amp Motor Delivers 1/3 HP
You can’t call a bandsaw a bandsaw if it doesn’t have a motor. The motor is the brain of the machine or maybe it’s the heart. The point is that the saw can’t work without a motor.
The RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw is a small saw so the motor is a small one as well. It is a 4.5-Amp motor that delivers ⅓ horsepower.
This might not be the most powerful motor in the market but it will do just fine when you want to work on small to medium-scale projects. Some people might use this saw to cut low-density metal sheets.
You can try this as long as you don’t overwork the bandsaw and you stop if you notice stalling or kickbacks.
As for high-density metals, we don’t recommend using any saw with less than 1 horsepower. The RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw is especially great for cutting pen and bowl planks.
Related Reading: DEWALT DCS371B Band Saw
10-Inches Wheel Diameter
The RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw is lightweight at 75.8 pounds. This might seem heavy for a table saw but for a bandsaw, it is lightweight. Some bandsaws weigh almost 300 pounds but these are large ones with higher cutting capacity.
Even if 75.8 pounds is lightweight for a bandsaw, it isn’t going to be easy on your back when you’re carrying it from one place to the other.
Thankfully, the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw comes with a set of 10 inches wheels. These wheels come in handy because they make the bandsaw mobile.
It’s also a plus since many other brands sell wheels separately but RIKON adds the wheels for free when you buy the bandsaw.
However, you will need to buy the cater for installing the wheels. This costs around $70 to $100. Without the cater, the wheels will not stay in place.
Solid Frame to Bring it All Together
All the great parts of the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw are put together in a solid cast iron frame for durability. Steel bandsaws are more durable because they are built to last for a lifetime.
The base of this bandsaw is 21-inches wide and is also made of steel just like the frame. This provides maximum stability and it explains why the RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw can carry a material that weighs up to 681 pounds.
Another benefit of solid steel construction is that it minimizes vibrations when the machine is in use. When the stability is guaranteed, so would the accuracy of each cut.
Related Reading: RIKON 10-326 14″ Bandsaw
RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw Review The Verdict
From our RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw review above, you can see that it is a strong, reliable, and affordable saw for small to medium-scale projects. It has a great cutting capacity but it isn’t meant for heavy-duty cutting.
The solid frame makes it a durable option and it is easy to use even for beginners. With less than $400, you can buy one for your projects.
You might need to buy a wheel cater before you can install the mobility kit but it is worth every penny.
