Replies

1. 
   dgreen | Jan 27, 2007 01:53am | #1

   Sounds like you got a lemon, I've sold many of that model with no reported problems and own one myself. I've had none of the issues you describe. Will they let you exchange it for another?

   ------------------------------------

    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
   -- Herbert Spencer (1891)

1. 
   fsg | Jan 27, 2007 02:04am | #2

   I spoke to the salesman from the company I bought it from and they did say  I could return it or bring it back and exchange it for another brand.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 27, 2007 10:04am | #3

   "...and it should loosen after a couple of years"  Oh my gawd, THAT is funny!

   If you can get your money back, you might want to go somewhere that carries Steel City.  Here's a link to my post (elsewhere) on it, and there's currently a $50 rebate going (too late for moi, darn).  It has a much bigger table, built-in extensions, and roller "hold-ins" for securing the stock.  I walked into the store ready to plunk down the $$ for a General tilt-head mortiser at $400++ and walked out with the Steel City, in the $275 range (can't remember).  They really put alot of thought into the design.

   Ahh, here's Toolseeker's info on prices. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 28, 2007 05:48am | #4

   Howdy FG..

   I believe $269 is the going price with a $50 rebate to bring the total to $219. Steel City had their local distributor bring around 20 to the Atlanta WW Show Friday. They were all sold by noon today and I saw them write orders on about 8 more from 1 PM - 5 PM today to be shipped to Redmond & Son (their Atlanta distributor) on Monday from their digs in Murfreesboro, TN.

   BTW.. with everyone clamoring for new TS's with riving knifes... might be a good idea to be patient.. They say that flowers bloom sometime in spring, but I wouldn't be surprised to see another manufacturer have a riving knife mount by say.. ahh... the big WW show in Las Vegas.

   Is that just a rumor? It's one I heard today at the Atlanta WW show even though the source is pretty reliable. I was talking to Scott Box (co-owner of Steel City Toolworks) when I heard it but I won't mention what manufacturer might be adding one to their top of line, then next in line, etc. etc.. :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt 

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 28, 2007 07:50pm | #5

   Hey, Sarge, thanks for the "live" report from Atlanta!  If I ever make it out there, I'll have to time it with a show. ;-)   28 Mortisers sold, not bad.  Did you get to see one before they were all gone?  What did you think??

   I remember Matt B. saying he had passed along interest in a quick-release RK and guard to SC, so they've been hearing it for awhile.  It'd be great if they acted on it!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 28, 2007 09:08pm | #6

   Hey FG..

   They wouldn't sell the floor display with yesterday afternoon and today left with the show. Have to have something for the public to see.

   I also passed along what a lot of us are looking for to Scott Box several months ago. I think that most manufacturers get to "hear" what we want.. but how many are really "listening" other than to be polite?

   I passed to SC that they need to change the thumb-screws that lock bearings on their BS's for a better grip back in September. If you call SC and mention it on your existing machine, they will send you larger replacements. The larger replacements will be on the newer batch.

   I mentioned to him that the 8" deluxe jointer 40620 needs to have the same built-on mobile base as the industrial 8" and both the deluxe and industrial 6" ones. The 40620 comes from a different assembly plant. He beat me to the punch on that one. With a big grin, "the new batch with the built-on base are sitting on the dock in Murfreesboro waiting to ship Monday. Just came in"!  

   The rumor on RV's is not a rumor. He specifically stated while looking me in the eye, "Sarge, we will have a riving knife on our 12" by the LV Show.. the other saws will follow in sequence according to their ranking".

   So... I get the impression that "somebody is listening" to what WW's are asking for and actually understand why we are asking. And I also have a strong feeling that it will get delivered in time if what we ask for  makes practical sense to the right folks running a machinery company. These guys are very sharp business-men, but they are razor-sharp "tool-guys" from my view.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Jan 29, 2007 05:53am | #7

   Thanks for the information on the Steel City mortiser. I've been researching them ans had decided that that's the one I was going to purchase. maybe Steel City will have some at the Ontario, CA show in February. I'll be there on Friday.

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 29, 2007 07:55am | #9

   You're quite welcome Basset Hound.. Steel City does not take any tools to a show, nor sell them direct. They have set up distributors who they feel are more than just retailers. They look for established tool suppliers that know tools and prefer ones that also service if possible. They only set up about two distributors per state so the distributors are not cutting each others throat under-cutting another to get a sale.

   So.. your dealer in Ca. is California WW in Anaheim. Hopefully they will be at the show with a booth. How far from Anaheim are you, BTW? If close enough I'm sure they would love for you to drop by. The best way to judge the quality of SC tools is to physically see them and compare them to the competitors.

   Enjoy the WW show in Ontario. Come to think of it, how could anyone not enjoy a WW show? ha.. ha...

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

3. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Jan 29, 2007 03:31pm | #11

   SARGE,

   I realize that Steel City doesn't actually do the selling at the show. I'm just hoping that their distributer brings some along. That would be a lot easier for me than driving to California Woodworking Machinery in Anaheim.

   Don

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 29, 2007 06:46pm | #14

   BH, sorry if I gave the impression that you were not aware of them taking tools to the show. It was more of a general comment as there are probably quite a few that don't know how things evolve in the regional shows. Even at a large show as IWF here in Atlanta and the show in Las Vegas, most manufacturers will ship the tools to their local distributors who in turn will get them to the show for them. Again.. just general comments for those that don't know.

   Hopefully California WW will be there and bring some. If they are there and don't have them on hand.. I would think that I would personally do a bit of negotiating to sweeten a deal with UPS thrown in to your door with a pre-purchase. Just fuel for thought. Never hurts to negotiate and the worst scenario is a simple.. can't do, weights too much. :>)

   Again.. enjoy the show and hopefully all will fall into place for you there!

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

2. 
   Woodmaster1776 | Jan 29, 2007 06:49am | #8

   Sarge,Have you had a chance to compare the Steel City mortiser with the Powermatic 701? From what little info I can find the SC seems to be tops in its class but the PM 701 may be almost a heavier duty class of machine, although for $130 more money. Do you have any insights?Thanks,Bob

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 29, 2007 08:28am | #10

   And you may be right Bob, but not enough in my opinion to warrant over $400. The sale on Amazon with the rebate is a pretty good deal from what I've seen of the PM if you want to sink $130 extra.

   Both have approximately the same stroke (around 5 1/2"), both run a 1725 rpm, both have reversible handles for lefties. The PM weights about 9 pounds more, so that extra weight is distributed up there somewhere. I suspect mostly in the column and the 3/4 HP motor on the PM compared to the 1/2 HP on the SC. The SC has a pull out base extension that extends to 35". The PM's table is it's base at around 16 1/2" with approx. 15 1/2" actual table support. As all bench-top mortisers, the clamping system was not engineered in heaven on either model, but sufficient as bench-tops go.

   I have seen the PM briefly on a couple of occasions, but did not get a chance to view it closely at the show Sat. I ended up spending about 4 hours helping BS customers in the Redmond and Son booth which is the SC distributor here in Atlanta. I just dropped by to say hello to the guys from Redmond and SC and look at a SC jointer, but things escalated (long story) to me helping customers with BS's as I have one and know it pretty throughly at this point.

   I'm on vacation this week and finishing table and chairs for my lovely. If I have to drop by Stone Mountain Tool (PM dealer here) to pick up something next week, I will take a close look at the 701 as I have some curiosities about it also.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt   

   Edited 1/29/2007 12:31 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   Woodmaster1776 | Jan 29, 2007 05:51pm | #12

   Just re-read your post, Sarge--Table and CHAIRS? I'm impressed! Norm has indicated chairs are the most difficult WW project he's tackled. Haven't found anyone to diagree with that assessment. Kind of scared me off, at least until I further develop my skills. I'd look forward to seeing some pics of your completed project, if you have time.Bob

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 29, 2007 06:29pm | #13

   I would have to agree with you on the chairs, Bob. I have been WW for 35 years now and have never built one until now. But.. I was building a white oak country kitchen table for my lovely and wanted chairs that complimented that scheme.

   I happened to have a stock-pile of Indonesian rubber tree wood I recovered (para-wood) from pallets we get at work. I broke them down and took them to the BS and jointer. No real large stock, but just right sizes for components of chairs. And I like the old oak school or what I call library chairs from my stay (they probably use plastic now.. :>).. ) in those institutions. Conditions were right and the design on simple library chairs took a little of the edge off. So I charged forward and made the first and only chairs I have ever made. Not too bad for a rookie.

   And I found it too be easier after the first was completed. I pre-cut all pieces at that point on the final 3 before assembly. The "bad" is not in the mechanics of building them.. it's in the details of getting finish on them. It took me about two weeks (on vacation a week and a touch here and a touch there) to get 8 coats of wipe on laid. I used poly in this case as I do on most kitchen and bathroom pieces because of steam and moisture problems created in those spaces.

   Got the table top in 4 sections in glue up now as I am on vacation again. Kept the sections at just under 12" to make a final pass thorugh my protable planer before the final assembly. A hand plane and cabinet scraper gets the call on the final glue lines and leveling.

   I will try to post a finished pic when done in a couple of weeks. I will post one of a mock up of the table base as I was checking mortise fits and another of the chairs on portable assembly tables just before I started laying finish. Not close ups but spin-offs as the pics were taken for that show your shop thread.

   Real deal latter when all is said and done. And then there's the bedroom suite just around the corner. It's never over till it's over I suppose. She knows how to keep me out of mischief! :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

   
3. 
   Woodmaster1776 | Jan 29, 2007 08:48pm | #15

   Thanks for the pics, Sarge. The chairs look like a do-able design which also might prove to be quite comfortable. You'll have to let us know how they sit--the ultimate test for any chair, but an even more important consideration as I get older--oops!--more mature. Look forward to pics of the completed project.Bob

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 30, 2007 03:37am | #17

   Sarge......I'm having trouble finding your "review" of the SC bandsaw, where you compared it with other brands.  Can you find it?  Would reaaalllllllly appreciate a link!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 30, 2007 07:49am | #18

   Hey Jamie...

   If you can't find something with a computer.. how could I possibly find it? You have computer savvy.. I just have a computer. :>)

   It isn't there it seems. I did a search on "Steel City Band-Saw.. Will it Float" and "Steel City.. Under the hood", which to the best of my memory contains the majority of key words if not the exact? Other threads concerning SC I posted in came up.. but not those two.

   The bad news.. looks as if someone might have broke into the evidence room at the Whatever Hotel!

   The good news.. you can't hide the facts, all you have to do is visit "said" distributor or go to a WW show. The facts are sitting there before your very eyes begging for you to examine them and make your own comparison!

    As the world turns.. sometimes on a axis that has a tendency to "tilt" when the "pin-ball wizards" attempt to alter the game... :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

    

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 30, 2007 08:21pm | #19

   The secret with searches is to use as few words as possible to get the right "hit."  If there's an uncommon word that you can include in the list, it really helps.

   I found your thread by searching for a simple steel city.  It turns out that nowhere in the thread did anyone use "steel city" and "bandsaw" in the same message.  For instance, in your first post, you used either BS as an abbreviation, or band-saw.  The search engine at Prospero isn't smart enough to see the hyphenation as a possible match.

   Yesterday, when I made my first attempt, I used "bandsaw" and "band" with no luck.

   So, bookmarks for the following two threads:

   And "under the hood" or rather "under the cover" -- the comparison with Jet:http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=31804.1

   And the "will it float" thread, review of your machine after you got it home:http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=32538.1

   BTW, the next time you use "a 2 1/2 ton floor jack and oak levers" to unload a big machine like this, could you get a buddy to take some pictures.  I must see how this is done!!  Thanks Sarge.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 30, 2007 10:00pm | #20

   Thanks for the search tips on the inter-net, FG. As you know and very evident.. not exactly my forte.

   The 2 1/2 ton jack with oak levers was actually just well thought out after seeing how the BS was bolted to the pallet and the way the bottom pallet supports were made. With a safety chain around the saw and around the metal pole that is a ceiling joist support their was never a doubt and I could duplicate it again in 1/4 the time.

   I have been offered a fabulous deal on a 12" jointer that weighs 750 lbs. I'm still debating that one as even an engine hoist that would be required and I have excess too is very heavy itself. Still tossing those issues around before making a decision. I don't need 12" normally, but nice to have when I do. Lot of weight and I will probably have to move it again in a couple of years when I retire.

   I suppose for the price offered.. a nice problem to at least be in position to have. More thought required on that one..

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt 

3. 
   mudman | Jan 29, 2007 09:11pm | #16

   The rubbing is not so much due to run out as to the bit design. My Fische (sp.) mortice bit set does the same thing. It wasn't untill I spent enough time in other shops that I realised that it is normal. If you ingrease the bit projection the noise will lessen.

   The arm is very simple to adjust. Read the instructions.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.