Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 23, 2007 08:35pm | #1

   Muncie, PA from Canada?

   Gee, Chicago here and the gas for the round trip would cost as much as the saw!

2. 
   BG | Sep 23, 2007 10:28pm | #2

   Ron,
   That is a tough question. However, I suspect I'd pick the Grizzly for two reasons: First, and foremost, I'd get a chance to put my hands on my machine before I purchased, and, Two, I'd save a bunch on shipping.
   I think 'Bones' bought the 17" and posted pic a couple of years ago..

1. 
   bones | Sep 25, 2007 04:34am | #3

   Yep I did. They did not have the X version back then. I would have got it probably, but doubt it would habve made that big a difference. I love it, and still say throw the stock blade away and use the timberwolf blades.  Its a sweet saw. 

   Here's my link to my original post:

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=17846.9Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

3. 
   lwilliams | Sep 25, 2007 05:19am | #4

   Ron,

   I don't know much about the Steel City saw. I looked at their web site and the only real difference I see between it and the Grizzly, which we have, is the Grizzly has a bigger table.

   I've really given the Grizzly a workout over the last few months and will continue to for a while. There have been a couple issues with the Grizzly but the SC saw may have the same problems. It's worth checking.

   Grizzly used shielded bearings in the blade guide instead of sealed bearings. A savings of maybe fifty cents for them. These pack with saw dust and you know what happens to ball bearings packed with saw dust. While I don't like disc guides, I bought Grizzly's disc guides for around $70 or $80. I just wasn't sure sealed bearings would last a lot longer than shielded bearings and was fed up with losing time to tinkering with bearings.

   I don't care for aluminum fence rails. I keep them waxed so those on the Grizzly work fine and have been no problem but they feel cheap and gummy in use. It would probably be a non-issue to others but I lean toward curmudgeondom even though it's been suggested I may be the mayor of curmudgeondom.

   I find myself wishing the thing had a break on it. The SC doesn't have one either, BTW. I prefer to be able to stop the damn thing when I'm ready to release blade tension and walk away rather than twiddle my thumbs and wait for it to stop.

   Overall, I believe our G0513X was a good value but admit to cussing it a little when dealing with frozen blade guide bearings.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Oct 13, 2007 04:01am | #5

   I did not play much with the SC stuff at the wood show I was at a month back (or so) but I did look at them a bit and I have to say that the table saw (in perticular) and the rest of the tools seamed to have a LOT of mass (for lack of a better term) to them. For instance the casting for the wheels to adjust the TS was noticably bigger and had a lot thicker profile. Also every thing moved very well. The castings for the table for the BS seamed more masive (thicker I guess) then most I have sean of late.

   So In short if you get a chance I would look at the SC befor buying any other. They seam to want to make thinks that are built well and built to last (no I do not own any, alas they came out about 6 months to late to do me any good).

   I do note that WoodCraft is switching over to them.

   Doug

4. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 14, 2007 08:26am | #6

   After taking a break for 31 years, the C$ is now on again on par with the US$.

   I hear our printing presses used for makin' money have been down fer' maintenance.. We will be back as soon as the workers are finished so we can print NEW money again!

1. 
   Carya | Oct 14, 2007 04:06pm | #7

   Will,I know this isn't a finance forum, but seems to me the problem is that your country has been printing TOO MUCH money. ;) Andy

5. 
   dan4545 | Oct 16, 2007 04:15pm | #8

   Hey Ron,

   I'm thinking of making the drive down there also (I'm in MTL).  The price difference is just too much.  Do you know what the duty is?

   Dan

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Oct 16, 2007 04:28pm | #9

   I've never actually checked. I've heard that 6" jointers are duty-free, but 8" jointers will be assessed 6%. The real question for me will be how the bandsaw and jointer I want stack up against the Steel City units I've already seen here in Ottawa. If it's pretty much a wash in terms of price, and the quality is reasonably close, I'll buy locally from a place that I know offers free delivery. I'll chalk up the cost of the trip as the price of entertainment!