Rikon 10-600VS Scroll Saw With Lamp, 16-Inch

Despite the two negative reviews (at the time of my writing) about this scroll saw, I took a chance and ordered it anyway, mainly because I had purchased a Rikon 10" bandsaw (model 10-305) some months ago and have been very happy with it. The scroll saw arrived quickly and was well packaged and in good shape.Unlike another reviewer, I found the owner's manual quite useful, with complete specs, an exploded assembly drawing with numbered call-outs and a complete parts list. The assembly instructions were terse but quite adequate, as were the operating instructions. The manual was ever bit as good as most I've seen with other equipment I've bought recently. It's difficult for me to imagine why anyone would call the manual "worthless," although that reviewer's poor grammar, spelling and punctuation may provide a clue.To be honest, there were a couple of problems. First, I failed to find the 5mm machine screw for attaching the safety shield. It may have been hidden somewhere in the packaging, although I looked pretty carefully and couldn't find it. Secondly, when I started using the saw, I quickly noticed that the tensioning screw knob would rotate loose in a short time.I called Rikon and got through to them almost immediately. A lady initially answered (speaking excellent native English!). She was very pleasant and concerned about my problems. When she heard my complaints, she quickly transferred me to a technical support person named Rod. He was surprised to hear about the rotating tension adjustment and said he had never heard about such a problem before. He then offered to replace the bandsaw and/or install a new sub-assembly for the tensioning mechanism. But after thinking about the problem for a moment, he suggested I first try lubricating the four bearings located on the upper arm under rubber inserts. The next day I put a few drops of Tri-Flow into the bearings. The tensioning knob quit rotating and has been rock solid ever since. Kudos to Rikon technical support. Oh, BTW, a few days later I received a small package in the mail containing a replacement set of mounting hardware for the safety shield!I used the saw over the next couple of days to cut out some small wooden gears for a project I'm making. It performed exactly as I had hoped for. After cutting over 60 gear teeth and then a 8" square base from 1/2" plywood, I'm still using the first blade--no breaks and it's still cutting cleanly.I'm retired and living on Social Security only, so buying high priced equipment and tools is not an option for me. If you're in the same boat, or equipping your shop for small-scale woodworking on a limited budget, I don't think you can go wrong with this saw. And many kudos to Rikon's engineering and customer support teams. I think you could easily pay twice as much for another brand of scroll saw and not get anything better. Highly recommended.

Ok, so it's not the $500 DeWalt. I've used that DeWalt and it pretty much sets the bar for scroll saws. That being said...For under $200? It's great. It used standard length blades and they are really easy to change out (if you get the ones with the pins at the ends) easier even than the DeWalt. Scrolls fast, cuts clean. I had to do some minute filing of burrs on the table that were catching and scratching projects, but whatever. I spent less than $200. The little lightbulb arrived broken, but I never use it anyway. I've used this to cut all sorts of material over the last year and it works great. You can even hook a shop vac right up to it.Pros:-cheap-decent area under the arm-very quick and easy blade changes-lightweight (lift it with one arm)-Fairly quietCons:-rough table-table only tilts to one side-air pump is a little weak and the hose disconnects sometimes when you lift the clear protective shield up (it's a scroll saw, so why even use it?)-cutting guard only faces forward, it should be able to rotate 90 degrees when you put the blades in the 90 degree position

purchased based on mostly positive reviews, unfortunately this scroll saw has poor build quality and will not last. After 2 months of use the tension assembly wore-out and I was unable to tighten the blade to make cuts. To get to it I had to take the whole machine apart and discovered the threads were striped on rod made of the softest material, The rod is going through nut with only about 3 threads and it is just not made to last under tension. Tried to order the part, but they don't have it in-stock and don't know when it will be available. I tried to build my own replacement but the thread is in reversed direction. Can't recommend purchasing this scroll saw if you planing on using it.

I have owned this saw for about a year and a half and it works great. I have cut a lot of wood with it and it is reliable and easy to use. No problems whatsoever. The lightbulb just went out after I moved house and I cannot figure out where to buy another.

The saw seems to work okay but thats about it. The owners manual is worthless. Light bulb burnt out first thing. Checked manual it said the bulb was a 12V 10W. Considering that it is a 120v saw I email them to check on what bulb it took. NO ANSWER GUESS I WAS PUT ON IGNOR!!! So I tried to find a bulb which was a 120V 10W bayonnet single contact bulb. Search the internet and all local appliance and lighting stores. Never could find one. I ended up rewiring in a different socket so it would take a 120V 10W screw in bulb. Considering the time and gas I spent on this I could have purchased a Dewalt and it would have costless. If the manual can't even show the right bulb I hope I don't have to replace anything else!!!

The works just fine but the light bulb burnt out after just a few uses.

Product was easy to set up. I am using it to make custom Celtic pen blanks

I purchased this , as it is a mid- range product I do have the 10" band saw and I have no complaints. Unfortunately with this product I wish the throat plate actually fit properly. Sits to low. As for the little air pump assembly it really doesn't work so well. I wish the platform was a little more bigger and possibly predrilled holes to add height. But with all the whining I love my scroll saw.