Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 08, 2007 08:01pm | #1

   What I've read of the SC tablesaws has been quite positve....especially the fence.

   The closest I've been to one personally is an Orion made Craftsman 22124, which is nearly identical to the SC 35601 hybrid....Orion is owned by SC and makes both. I'm very happy with the 22124, as are most who own them. Orion's customer service has been exceptional.

   http://www.epinions.com/content_184778395268

1. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 08, 2007 10:18pm | #2

   Thanks- I've heard good things about the craftsman as well... it's good to know that it is essentially the same saw. Also, I have been able to look at one up close at my local sears, which is always helpful. Do you think the 3hp basic cabinet saw from SS might be from Orion as well? It looks a lot like a slightly higher powered version of the hybrid. hmmm...ps- did you have any trouble with fit and finish on your craftsman? I've read several reviews where tabletop extensions weren't flat, and where the table was not parallel and had to be adjusted. The second issue wouldn't bother me because it would be easy enough to fix... waiting on replacement parts sounds like a headache though. Has anyone dealt with steel city customer service? are they as good as they claim to be in supporting their products?

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 09, 2007 03:11am | #4

   Yes, the 3hp SC 35606 is the same basic format with a bigger motor, also made by Orion AFAIK....Steel City owns Orion. Fit and finish was pretty good on my saw. Considering the high numbers sold, I've read very few issues...mostly isolated incidents, and sometimes user error, but most importantly, not a systemic manufacturing issue. Blade alignment is considered part of the setup, not a quality issue. Most wing issues are a matter of shimming them to get them level....very common with any cast iron wing, and again, part of the initial setup. Biesemeyer did have an issue with the laminate extension table that effected other brands that used that table, such as the Delta Unisaw...that's a Biesemeyer issue, not so much a Craftsman issue, and should be a non issue with any Steel City saw b/c they use a different fence.

1. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 09, 2007 03:47pm | #5

   So everything being equal, do you think it's a good idea to buy the steel city 3hp version of this saw for $100 more? I plan to thick hardwoods like 12/4 beech and hickory someday (or at least I like to be able to should the need arise)I like the idea of supporting steel city vs sears... or do I support them even if I buy craftsman because they own orion?

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 09, 2007 06:36pm | #7

   "So everything being equal, do you think it's a good idea to buy the steel city 3hp version of this saw for $100 more? "  I would go for the Steel City machines given the budget.  They carry a five year warranty for one thing.  Aside from that, if you have any questions or problems, you're dealing directly with Steel City rather than Sears, which is a major plus.  The service people have reported after calling Steel City has been extremely impressive.

   Just because Orion is a division of Steel City does not mean the tools are equal in quality, or that the customer service is going to be in any way related.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 09, 2007 09:10pm | #8

   Thank you !That was very helpful indeed- exactly what I wanted to hear. I have a Steel City distributer about an hour away... I'll get the saw from them when the time comes... unless I find a really nice used saw that I can't pass up. ----Has anyone had the opportunity to take a hands on look at the Deluxe model Steel City Table saw next to the cheaper, standard model 3hp unit?
   Any comments on this would be wonderful, since I haven't been able to see these tools in person yet.

3. 
   terrylee86 | Apr 10, 2007 02:20am | #10

   Vincent,

   Unless you are hot to buy the machine right now, my SC dealer told they were coming out with a tablesaw with a riving knife this spring.  That is all I know about time frame, but if I were buying a machine today I would definitely get one with a riving knife if I could.  I had a PM 66 for 25 years and then got a Laguna with a riving knife and it is amazing the difference in safety. You get virtually no kickback.  I have not had a kickback in 3 years owning that saw, maybe some luck involved but I think it is the knife.  Call Steel City and see if there is any truth to that rumor.  My dealer is a pretty reliable guy.  I own 2 SC tools the Mortiser and the spindle sander and I have looked at their whole line and I am very impressed with this new ww company.  They respond quickly to customer's demands.  Kind of like Toyota

   Terry

   Edited 4/9/2007 7:24 pm ET by terrylee86

4. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 10, 2007 05:07am | #11

   Thanks so much for the tip...I've been looking everywhere for a $1500 or less saw with a riving knife. I emailed grizzly customer service about a rumor that they were updating their 3hp cabinet saw to include one, but they said that was not true. But I would prefer to buy Steel City anyway, so that is great news. I'll send them an email and happily wait until the update. That has been my greatest hesitation in purchasing a used saw up to this point. And I just don't have $2300 + for a powermatic 2000 or laguna TS at this point (I'm 25 and really just getting started putting a serious shop together). I hope your sales rep is right!

5. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Apr 10, 2007 07:39am | #12

   Howdy Vincent...

   I have the SC 18" band-saw (IMO the best Pacific Rim BS on the market with some tool guy ideas behind it) and their 8" jointer. The customer service is second to none. I would have their TS, but stumbled across a factory re-conditioned Uni-saw at a basic give-away price. I am happy with my drill press, but their 17" with the 6" travel says it all IMO in one machine.

   I have been over-under and through the Steel City line of products at the International Wood-working Show last fall in Atlanta and many times at their distributor here in Atlanta. I have gotten to know Scott Box and all the gang at Steel City from those shows. These are very innovative "tool guys's attempting to bring you the finest line of "from over there but designed here" tools on the Wood-working market.

   And so far they have delivered but aren't sitting around waiting to be patted on the back. A riving knife will appear on their 10" Industrial saw to be followed in sequence with the rest of the line in order of their pecking order.

   Take a look especially at the Titanium top on the one SC model TS. They poured bottled water on it early one morning at the Atlanta WW Show and let it sit. When I left around 4 PM, no hint of rust on the top. I won't pretend you could mount it to the deck of a nuclear sub that remains under salt water for the most part and not get rust eventually, but a major plus in checking rust before it grabs hold in everyday shop conditions.

   Hope that helps along with a 5 Year Warranty which with the way the tools are designed, you won't likely have to use it... but a nice insurance policy at no charge to boot.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

6. 
   Knotscott | Apr 09, 2007 10:31pm | #9

   I agree with FG. The extra HP nice to have and worth $100 IMO (if you have 220v). Even though Sears was good to me in this case, I think the probability of a pleasant buying experience is better through a good wwing dealer...the longer warranty is a nice bonus too.

   Edited 4/9/2007 3:34 pm ET by Knotscott

2. 
   DJK | Apr 09, 2007 01:05am | #3

   For that amount of money you can purchase a very good used saw. In fact for
   $1500 I'll sell you my 5hp PM 66. Pick it up in Warren,MI

1. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 09, 2007 03:59pm | #6

   I actually have a post in the 'wanted' section that mentions my interest in such a saw as the one you are selling. I have used a powermatic 5hp quite a bit in the past, and it is a seriously solid saw. I imagine it would outperform any of the smaller new saws I'm considering, given that both were equally well adjusted. Right now I am doing research, while I complete a painting job and a furniture commission to earn some $. This $ will not be filling my pockets until ... may. I don't know how long you want to sit on that tablesaw, but come May I will be VERY interested in it. I wonder how much it would cost to ship it here... I'm guessing about $200-250. Could you give me a short background on the saw & why you're selling?
   If it's easy for you to post some photos, that would be nice too.
   also, what is the arbor size, and is it L or R tilt?thanks-Vincent