New Woodworking Machinery Maker Hits the Ground Running
Mar 08, 2013
Entry-level cabinet saw, model TS-1040E-50, $1,595
It’s been a tough run for a lot of companies since the recession hit the U.S., but it’s been particularly rough on manufacturers of woodworking machinery. With consumers tightening their belts, cutting back on hobby money, it’s no surprise that these manufacturers are hurting, with very few new tools being introduced.
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But despite the down economy, one Wisconsin manufacturer has decided to cross over from metalworking into woodworking. And they’re not just dipping in their toes. It’s a full-on cannonball into the seas.
Baileigh Industrial, a leading maker of metalworking tools since 1999, started selling woodworking machines last December. The line-up isn’t small, either. You can choose from a full offering of machines, including tablesaws (contactor and cabinet models), bandsaws small and large, jointers, drill presses and more. Right now, the company is offering free shipping on orders within the contiguous 48 states, but don’t wait; this offer is due to expire in about a month, says a company rep. Baileigh has showrooms in Wisconsin and California, with sales offices across the country.
We’re looking forward to seeing these new machines in person and giving them a run. Check out the photos to see a selection of promising products. For a complete listing, and for more information, visit the Baileigh Industrial website.
Have you had experience with Baileigh Industrial machinery? If so, let us know in the comment section at the bottom of this post.
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Entry-level cabinet saw, model TS-1040E-50, $1,595
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Riving Knife Table Saw, model TS-1040P-30, $2,095
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14 in. bandsaw, model WBS-14, $1,595
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Jointer/Planer, model JP-1250, $2,095
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Benchtop Lathe, model WL-1220VS, $695
Comments
Do you think this company last longer than Steal City Tools ?
Steel City is still around and kicking.
http://steelcitytoolworks.com/
Baileigh has been around since 1999 so what's the deal with "new"!? Of course it's not DeWalt or Delta, but nothing to make a title out of it... Anyways, I never heard of that brand before. Maybe that's the reason why we have a little "push" of information (ironic). I'll check them out, but I suspect Taiwan or China manufacturers to be involved!?
Wonderful....some more of the same old Asian equipment sold by an American company. By the way, first time I have ever heard of these folks.
Certainly by its looks in the picture the hollow chisel mortise is the same machine that is sold by Laguna Tools - just a different sticker on it. Unfortunately, that does not make it a better tool!
Why would an American company ever try manufacturing when almost all of the previous comments have bad-mouthed this manufacturer based solely on speculation from reading a magazine article and not from trying out or owning its products?
I looked at their 12" combination jointer/planer machine and they look the same as Grizzly with different trim.
Sadly, after only a few minutes of research online, I can confirm the assumptions made here that most of the equipment is, in fact, made in Taiwan (51%) and China-PRC (11%). The other suppliers include England (14%) and bit from some central European sources. The woodworking equipment appears to originate mostly from Taiwan/China. Source: greatimportexport dot com and a few other sites. I can't attest to quality from this article, obviously. What bothers me most is the tone of the article that doesn't state but suggests that this is a new U.S.-based manufacturer who *makes* the stuff here. Without doing additional research, my guess is that under the Balleigh labels are the same suppliers to other importers.
NIce comments. Guess you all have already used the equipment, huh?
From the FAQ's on their website:
"Where is Baileigh Industrial products made?
They are made in our manufacturing plants all over the world. We currently have plants in USA, Portugal, Italy, Poland, England, Germany, China, and Taiwan"
I do metalworking as well as woodworking, and I've used Baileigh metalworking tools and they are quite nice. If their wood tools are as nice as their metal ones then I don't think there would be any problems. You would be surprised to find out how much stuff is made in different parts of the world these days, even parts of German microscopes and cameras are made in Asia. The world is not what it used to be.
As long as America is driven by price point all the tools you buy are going to be made offshore. Your a product of your own demise and you act surprised by the fact that a so called US company getting into the WW tools is just rebranding offshore products. China is sitting back chuckling as the so called Commies are laughing all the way to the bank. You need to get past the Big Box Store Mentality and return to what made your Country, at one time (no longer), a powerhouse manufacturing nation. You have the population large enough to buy most, if not all, of what you build, so you're not reliant on exports to drive your economy.
China is now your bank, they own your debt and they're loving it cuze your broke and you haven't figured that out yet.
I live in Canada, I'm 56 years old and a fellow WW. I've watched this whole Cheap Stupid Big Box Store Mentality consume your nation and mine. I don't like it, nor should you.
I can only agree with Cybarr
I'm a Kiwi currently living in Australia. I grew up knowing that made in UK/Europe or USA usually meant QUALITY.
I weep at the loss of a manufacturing skills base in Western Countries - it could become a serious strategic issue in the future - and we've only got ourselves to blame!
As long as companies can buy product cheaper than they can make it, they will do so. The Chinese workers have done the same thing that American workers did, asKing for higher wages, and more benefits. The industry that I deal with has seen some Mfg return to the US, as the higher wages combined with long lead times, and shipping, have exceeded the mfg cost in the US.
My concern, after a quick look at some of their product pages, is that they seem to lack some basic understanding of woodworker's needs, at least in their marketing department. For instance, how can you not list resaw capacity and a bandsaw product page?
Moontoad, they do list maximum depth of cut on the specifications tab on all but one of the bandsaws, I think the 14" is missing. Probably more of a typo than a lack of machinery understanding.
We are a critical bunch though aren't we. I can see one reason why there aren't more manufacturers wanting to enter this marketplace if the comments here are any indication of how we treat a new company.
I'd guess that many of the people complaining about a lack of American Made machinery are the same people that vote for the Democrats and their overly restrictive regulations. Those regulations are what keeps somebody from manufacturing these tools in the USA. I'd bet a good share of those folks also want the lowest possible prices, think that US companies are under-taxed and they don't pay their workers enough.
I just received their catalog. The cabinet saws look identical to the Laguna line up. Their sliding table saw with the router table mounted on it has the router setup backwards. Using it this way, you would lose control of the out feeding of long pieces. You could not get in position to even use the starter peg.
They do not tell you what the distance is from the front of the table to the blade.
Someone made the comment that it seems they are not yet in tine to woodworkers needs and the way we look at tools. I agree with that.
The paint colors do look a bit feminine.
I would say though, after looking at their metalworking tools, that the quality is good. They seem to really know the metalworking end of the business. I was impressed with their range of metalworking tools and apparent understanding of that market.
They will be interesting to watch. I believe they are serious about their entry into the woodworking market.
Looking to purchase a jointer-planer combo and was eyeing the Rikon 12 in. model since it's the only one I could get into my basement shop. Does anyone have experience with either the Rikon or the new Baileigh 12 in.? Anyone know the country of origin of the Rikon?
This is the same saw as Grizzly sells as the 0690/0691. This saw has won best buy honors in several table saw comparison reviews. It is also sold under the Craftex brand in Canada. I agree it is the same as what Laguna sells.
The saw is manufactured by Harvey Machinery in Nanjing, China. (Their web site is easy to find.) Harvey directly distributed the saw through their LA warehouse a couple of years ago. I was doing one of my occasional deal searches on eBay and found one they were selling for several hundred dollars better than Grizzly's price, so I bought it. I'm very pleased. Rock solid machine, great rip fence. Unfortunately I can't find it sold anymore under Harvey's own brand except in Australia. Apparently I bought the last one they had in their US warehouse because they immediately dropped the eBay ad.
You will note that each seller shows close-up photos of the trunnion assembly and the riving knife, and the photos are identical. They all mention the 3HP Leeson motor. The ads for the Bailey, Craftex, Laguna and Harvey models also show the Master-rip label on the fence. Grizzly applies their own label. Another minor giveaway is the miter gauge extension with flip-down stop on all but the Grizzly model.
I've had this saw for about two years, use it every day and love it. Maybe someday I will cough up the extra thousand or so for the one that will only nick my finger if I forget where my hand is. I agree with the Made in USA comments, but these guys have just done what the Japanese did decades earlier--learn from us and then figure out how to beat us at our own game.
As I look around my shop, all of my machines (including several from Delta) were made in China or Taiwan. And they are all excellent performers.
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