Thorough and intelligent review, David. As you probably know, there isn't a lot of information about this j/p on the net. I've scrolled the comment section and according to a recent reply, you still have the machine and you seem okay with it. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Hammer A3-31, but that's a big purchase for me and requires a ton of research. Doesn't look like there will be this Rikon in my future, though I do own their bandsaw and I'm happy with that. Thanks for posting. Mark
David, thanks for the review. I stumbled on your website that also has this review plus many other posts / reviews. Good stuff! I enjoyed your post on moving this unit into your basement. It helped me think about getting a heavy tool set-up in my garage shop. I also found your post from January 2017 discussing the movement of the planner table and your effort to resolve that and upgrade the unit with Jet replacement parts. Given your experience, would you buy the Jet in lieu of the Rikon if you were in the market today? Thanks again.
Thanks for the response David, I went ahead and ordered one. Any chance you can get me measurements for a mobile base? I was checking around and cant seem to find the dimensions of the base anywhere.
Hi Dave, I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these. Is there anything about it performance wise or maintenance wise that you are not happy with? I have a 10 inch benchtops and the beds flex.
Great review, as others have commented too. Question: now it is April 2018. still using machine? how's it doing? would you buy again knowing what you know now? any changes? I am thinking of buying one. Thanks!!
Is something like a Hammer A3-31 really worth the extra, though? How big of a problem is the outfeed table? I'm considering a combo machine so would love to hear your thoughts. The $2K difference could buy a lot of lumber! :)
Yeah, fair enough! I wonder if there's a way to retrofit in a better system that would hold its settings? Something with a cam, maybe? Marius Hornberger made a great video showing how he fixed an issue with his Hammer tablesaw flipstop (ruclips.net/video/kH3U58RYnkw/видео.html) which was a change that felder then used and modified for their saws... not that I expect rikon to do the same, but I'm sure there's a better way... that being said, what's the actual tolerance of the outfeed table on a jointer? IE, how much play can you have before it makes an actual difference? a lot of us woodworkers chase perfection but forget that there are certain tolerances that are just fine. it doesn't excuse the table hitting the knives, but I wonder if it could shorten the adjustment from 20 min to 5 min (or if it means that the "better" solution needed be over-engineered)
actually a quick thought to add to my last comment - what if you replaced the bottom nut with a serrated flange nut, or a nord-lock washer? or a nyloc nut? It's probably the vibration of the machine that slowly gets the bolt+nut vibrating+shifting, and using a locking nut might be all you need to do? maybe it's worth marking with a sharpie the jointer, nut and bolt to see how often + how much they actually move, then replace the nut and see if it helps. if nothing else the sharpie would give you a visual reference for where your goldilocks zone is!
what about the cost of new inserts i have a rikon 13 " plane and they cost about $10 a pop compared to other inserts at around $4 each and they have 4 sides !!!!!!
Excellent review. You told me everything I wanted to know about this tool, and more. It sounded like you may have purchased it from Rikon directly. Is that the case, or was it just shipped from Rikon?
As fare as design this is identical to my startrite sd31, Mine has a three knife cutter, and no out feed, It's a 3 and half horsepower motor ran off a 16 amp feed.
Yea so fare so good, I only take light cuts as it take a lot off power from the meter! So 1mm passes at a time. I've not changed the blades yet so that's a daunting task!!
Thorough and intelligent review, David. As you probably know, there isn't a lot of information about this j/p on the net. I've scrolled the comment section and according to a recent reply, you still have the machine and you seem okay with it. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Hammer A3-31, but that's a big purchase for me and requires a ton of research. Doesn't look like there will be this Rikon in my future, though I do own their bandsaw and I'm happy with that. Thanks for posting. Mark
Great review! Very informative and thorough. Were you able to get rid of the noise when raising the planer bed?
Thank you for posting such a good review. I suspect you will have decades of enjoyment from this machine. If not, I could come by and pick it up!!!
Fantastic review, very helpful in my decision making.
Great video... thanks.
Do you still like it?
I’m thinking about picking one up.
Would you still recommend it.
I can get it for 3200
David, thanks for the review. I stumbled on your website that also has this review plus many other posts / reviews. Good stuff! I enjoyed your post on moving this unit into your basement. It helped me think about getting a heavy tool set-up in my garage shop. I also found your post from January 2017 discussing the movement of the planner table and your effort to resolve that and upgrade the unit with Jet replacement parts. Given your experience, would you buy the Jet in lieu of the Rikon if you were in the market today? Thanks again.
The kind of detailed review I like! Thanks!
I have read that the co-planer issue and the complicated multi-screw adjustments are complex and frustrating....
Is it still holding up well after a year or so of use? Have you had to adjust the tables to be coplaner due to changing operations? Great review!
Thanks for the response David, I went ahead and ordered one. Any chance you can get me measurements for a mobile base? I was checking around and cant seem to find the dimensions of the base anywhere.
Hi Dave,
I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these. Is there anything about it performance wise or maintenance wise that you are not happy with? I have a 10 inch benchtops and the beds flex.
Good review, Now that you have had it a while how about an update. How did it perform over time?
Does this machine have a built-in breaker of sorts (attached to the start/stop button like our table saw and dust collector)?
If you mean a "mag switch", then yes it seems to. If I unplug it while running it won't start back up again when plugged back in.
What breaker size are you running for this machine? Motor says 12amp however my 15amp 220v breaker keeps tripping..
What was the horrible crunching noise when you inserted to board into the planer?
Hi David, what was the assembly like on this machine? Did it require a hoist or more than one person to lift it?
Great review, as others have commented too. Question: now it is April 2018. still using machine? how's it doing? would you buy again knowing what you know now? any changes? I am thinking of buying one. Thanks!!
Is something like a Hammer A3-31 really worth the extra, though? How big of a problem is the outfeed table? I'm considering a combo machine so would love to hear your thoughts. The $2K difference could buy a lot of lumber! :)
Yeah, fair enough! I wonder if there's a way to retrofit in a better system that would hold its settings? Something with a cam, maybe? Marius Hornberger made a great video showing how he fixed an issue with his Hammer tablesaw flipstop (ruclips.net/video/kH3U58RYnkw/видео.html) which was a change that felder then used and modified for their saws... not that I expect rikon to do the same, but I'm sure there's a better way...
that being said, what's the actual tolerance of the outfeed table on a jointer? IE, how much play can you have before it makes an actual difference? a lot of us woodworkers chase perfection but forget that there are certain tolerances that are just fine. it doesn't excuse the table hitting the knives, but I wonder if it could shorten the adjustment from 20 min to 5 min (or if it means that the "better" solution needed be over-engineered)
actually a quick thought to add to my last comment - what if you replaced the bottom nut with a serrated flange nut, or a nord-lock washer? or a nyloc nut? It's probably the vibration of the machine that slowly gets the bolt+nut vibrating+shifting, and using a locking nut might be all you need to do? maybe it's worth marking with a sharpie the jointer, nut and bolt to see how often + how much they actually move, then replace the nut and see if it helps. if nothing else the sharpie would give you a visual reference for where your goldilocks zone is!
@@DavidPx did you ever try the lock nut? curious if you made any headway as I'm still daydreaming about a combo machine!
@@DavidPx that's great news!
thanks. Happy i looked at your video. need a new thickness planer and jointer but it won't be this one.
Dave I have a Rikon 25-210h Planer/Jointer The problem that I have is that the bed has jamed and will not raise or lower.Have any ideas?
what about the cost of new inserts i have a rikon 13 " plane and they cost about $10 a pop compared to other inserts at around $4 each and they have 4 sides !!!!!!
How do you like this unit now? I'm about to order one, and I can't find much info on it.
You only paid $2800? I think you're quoting the competitor prices without the helical.
@@DavidPx Oh. Wow. Didn't realize prices have gone up that much.
Very well done review. Thank you.
What’s that loud grinding noise when you feed the board into the planer??
Really like your reviews and helpful vids. I have subscribed . Thanks!,
Very informative info, thanks. How did you get it on your basement?
No micro adjust for the planer?
On what part?
Excellent review. You told me everything I wanted to know about this tool, and more. It sounded like you may have purchased it from Rikon directly. Is that the case, or was it just shipped from Rikon?
As fare as design this is identical to my startrite sd31,
Mine has a three knife cutter, and no out feed,
It's a 3 and half horsepower motor ran off a 16 amp feed.
Yea so fare so good,
I only take light cuts as it take a lot off power from the meter!
So 1mm passes at a time.
I've not changed the blades yet so that's a daunting task!!
How is it with planer snipe?
David Peters does it handle longer stock pretty good or do you feel the bed is to short?
It's rotary ground on the surface..
Really not a fan of Rikons "spiral" heads - the teeth are 90 degrees to the bed unlike other brands :(
It sounds like a boat
Truly a piece of junk.
Hope you returned it and got your money bacl.
Nothing against your reviews. They are great. Sadly this machine is not.