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Date:         Fri, 20 Nov 1992 15:06:14 -0800
From:         RMTYE@BIIVAX.DP.BECKMAN.COM
Subject:      Reliant band saw review.

I got flamed for not worshiping at the alter of politically correct tools
when I posted this some weeks ago; but, since there's been a specific
request for Reliant tool info. here goes.

   I assembled my Reliant (Trend lines) 14" band saw last weekend and I'm
   pleased with both the saw (so far) and how it went together.

   Assembly went smoothly and took about 3 hours:

   All the parts were included (in fact I've got a hand full of screws,
   nuts, etc. left over :-) ). The saw was well packed, one plastic knob
   was cracked; but, that was the extent of damage.

   The saw came mostly assembled. frame & wheels, blade guides and table
   were all preassembled sub units. I spent the longest time assembling the
   base.

   The instructions pretty well matched most of the parts. The writing was
   pretty terse; but, the pictures and diagrams were clear enough to work
   from. The motor mount had me stumped until I found the 2nd page of
   exploded diagram in the very back of the manual.

   Some of the casting (esp wheels) is a bit rough; but, the wheels are
   well balanced. The blade guide assemblies are very simple (no micrometer
   adjustments here); but, seem rugged.

   I didn't get much of a chance to use the saw; but, a few test cuts went
   very well. The blade ran straight (even in a 5" thick block), there
   wasn't much vibration, and the motor had enough poo.

   I think I'm going to like this saw. It's not fancy and it's certainly
   not state of the art. The blade guides are primitive, the table is rough
   and the 4 speed pulleys look like an after thought; but, what I wanted
   was a good basic 14" band saw and I believe that's what I got.

I've had a chance to use the saw a bit now and have a few more comments.

Problems encountered:

   The upper and lower frame were slightly out of true. I had to realign
   them to get the blade to track in the same position on both wheels (It
   tracks very well now).

   The miter slot is too wide. I plan to cut a new slide for the miter
   gauge to fit the slot; but, not until I need the miter gauge for
   something.

   There is no vacuum port to collect sawdust; but, the table is just high
   enough above the frame to slip a vacuum nozel close to the lower blade
   guide. I hacked up an old nozel and glued it in place, works pretty
   good.

   The table was about 1/8" out of square with the blade (in the access
   that doesn't adjust). I shimmed up one side with a set of washers.

   The upper blade guide is about 1/8" out of square with the blade.
   According to "THE BANDSAW HANDBOOK" this is a pretty common problem. So
   far I readjust the guide when I change height;

                BUT, I'M LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT FIX. (suggestions welcomed)

Pleasant surprises

   The saw has very little vibration. I've balanced a nickel on edge on the
   table while the saw was running at top speed; it's also very quiet
   (compared to my table saw and RAS).

   I've been pleased with the cuts I've made so far including some compound
   cuts on 8/4  5.5" walnut (the cuts were straight, the rain deer look
   like rain deer and didn't take much sanding).

   I'd heard that the lower blade guide was too far below the table to
   provide much accuracy. It's about 3/4" below the table bottom and don't
   seem to be a problem.

Bottom line

   It's a basic saw: no micro adjusters, no blade tension gauge, no wheel
   brushes, no vacuum port.

   It's an inexpensive saw: ruff castings, ruff table top, simple blade
   guides, no frills.

   A beginning hobbiest would probably be happier with a more expensive saw
   (or one completely assembled AND TUNED by the dealer).

   What I wanted was an inexpensive bandsaw that would do good basic
   bandsaw stuff (free hand curves, compound shapes, basic resawing), that
   had basic bandsaw adjustments (tension, tracking, wheel off set, frame
   skew, table tilt, upper & lower guide adjustment, etc.) and could use
   basic bandsaw options (riser blocks, rip fence, motor upgrade, 1/16" -
   3/4" blades, cool blocks, etc).

   The relient bandsaw fits my needs very well, I would buy another one and
   the $250 it saved me over a name brand saw paid for 2/3 of my new
   (Delta) planer.



                         Ron Tye (all opinions my own)