Craftsman 10" Band Saw

This is the tool I was really looking forward to working with. My Craftsman 10" band saw. For a cheap (slightly over $100) band saw, it has some pretty nice features. Large cast iron table, steel frame and doors, 1/3 hp motor, adjustable fence, miter gauge, and a resawing capacity OVER 4"!

As delivered the blade tracked square on the wheels! I was shocked! Appalled! How dare they make me have to enjoy this saw sooner!

I'm told it is made by Rikon, and I believe. Square and sturdy, this band saw made me very happy. Only 3 blemishes kept this from being perfection:

1. Blade Tensioning
   I will have to do more research on accurate tensioning. There doesn't appear to be a gauge anywhere. For now I have it adjusted so there is no wobble between the wheels. But I think I should be a bit more taut.
   
2. Sucky miter gauge
   I know, I know. No stock miter gauge is worth crap. Sigh.
3. Cut quality
   Yep. Even pine came out looking like a washboard, regardless of feed rate.

None of these are really that big of a deal. Stock blade cut quality was expected to be poor, look at the pic:


Yikes. I'll spend my time learning about this saw with the stock blade, and order a nicer one for real work. (Anybody priced carbide tipped BS blades? Holy cow!)


I was really impressed with the bearings top and bottom. The only other band saw I've worked with only had rub blocks.


So, as I said, I'm very happy. I hope to destroy lots and lots of wood with this!