Steel City Saw

[Ken Higginbotham]

I'm saving to get a cabinet saw later in the spring (Hopefully) and was looking at this unit:

Saw (http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10132&HS=1)

As I need to stay in that price range - Anybody have any feed back?

ken

[Myk Rian]

I have the 1 3/4hp model and love it.

[scott spencer]

That should do just about anything you'll need it to do. Note that it's not their industrial cabinet saw though...it's more of a 3hp version of their hybrid saw with cabinet mounted trunnions. The fence gets a lot of rave comments.


Industrial cabinet saw style:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/sccabtrunnion-1.jpg

Hybrid style:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/SChybridtrunnion.jpg

[Ken Higginbotham]

I don't suppose I need the 3hp model. Wonder what that down-grade would save...?

[Ken Higginbotham]

Seeing as to how I'm going from $129 craftsman contractor table saw and not going to be doing production work I figured it'd be more that I need for a long while.

In the pictures I see the belts, motor and blade arbors - What exactly are the trunnions? The 'feet' looking parts that mount black mechanism to the cabinet?

[Randy Rose]

I have the 1 3/4hp model and love it.


I`ll 2nd that, used the "money saved" to buy quality, task specific blades, Wixey digital readout and an Incra miter, couldn`t be happier.

[scott spencer]

Seeing as to how I'm going from $129 craftsman contractor table saw and not going to be doing production work I figured it'd be more that I need for a long while.

In the pictures I see the belts, motor and blade arbors - What exactly are the trunnions? The 'feet' looking parts that mount black mechanism to the cabinet?

For me, the term "trunnions" is really the entire innerds under the hood, but that's technically a misnomer. The trunnion brackets are what you see mounted to the cabinet, the trunnions are the arc shaped part that allows it to tilt, then there's an arbor carriage connecting the front and rear brackets, the arbor, pulleys, motor, motor mount, and lift/tilt gears to name a few of the parts. You'll note that the industrial saw uses a triple belt drive to transfer power, and has a huge swing arm that helps support the arbor.

The 1-3/4hp version should do most of whatever you want it to do, but will be more sensitive about good alignment, blade selection, and will sometimes require a slower feedrate. The 3hp will hog through just about anything will little effort....nice to have but not usually necessary. Note that 3hp requires 220v.

[Robert Chapman]

I have the 1 3/4 hp version and really like it. Paid about $1000. Get it with the Industrial fence.

[Tom Majewski]

I keep looking at that saw almost every day...like tool porn.

Maybe after I move into the new house next month.

[Robert Meyer]

I have this saw and find it just ok. The SC support is absolutely first rate. I have issues with the ribbed belt used to transfer the 3hp. It squeals on start up. It is difficult to center on the pulleys as you absolutely can't see it from the right side clean out door nor through the saw blade opening. It sometimes bogs down and you must cut any hardwood over 1" thick slowly. If I had to do it again I'd get a three belt saw.

[Bill Dunn jr]

I have the 1-3/4 hp unit and I like it alot. If I had it to do again I would go for the 3hp unit. I use the saw for my business and sometimes, as Scott says, I have to slow down the feed rate or it gets bogged down.

[John Thompson]

I demo'ed the saw at IWF (International WW Fair) for Steel City in their booth. It's a good saw as we cut both wood and aluminum on it. If you only intend to hobby the 1 3/4 HP should be enough but the 3 HP is plenty and would probably have better re-sale value.

I see you are in Winston in Douglas County... if you want to ride up to Lawrenceville I will let you take a ride on a Steel City 5 HP. If ya do give me a PM and plan on bringing wood (any you have up to 3" thick) as it devours it. :)

Regards from up the road...

Sarge..

[Ken Higginbotham]

Thanks John. I'll book mark this thread so I can dig it up when decision time gets closer. Playing with a real saw might be expensive - :)

Are you going to the show in college park? I wonder if Steel City will be there...?

[John Thompson]

Thanks John. I'll book mark this thread so I can dig it up when decision time gets closer. Playing with a real saw might be expensive - :)

Are you going to the show in college park? I wonder if Steel City will be there...?

I may and may not go to the Show, Ken. After accumulating tools for 37 years about all I need is a fresh bottle of glue.

Steel City will not be there as a company as the larger IWF Show. But... Andrew Bondi, the SE rep for Steel City will be there with Highland WW with Steel City Machines. As a matter of fact there will be some Blow-out prices on few items being replaced by other items in the line.

I spoke to Andrew Bondi on the cell phone a few minutes ago and he tells me that Highland has access to about 10 SC table saws that might go as low as $850.. They are the 36685 10" SC 3 HP.. 50" SC Industrial fence which is what I have on my saw. It is the same as a Biesemeyer but it has the orignal bolt and nylon pad on the rear as the original Biesemeyer once had. That means the rear of the fence rides the rear rail and not drag the table on the rear.

So... might behoove you to drop by the Highland booth and ask for Andrew Bondi. Tell him Sarge sent you.. Andrew is very knowledgeable of the entire line and will take you under the hood and answer all questions.

BTW.. I'm finishing a set of small boxes and may go on Saturday. If I do.. I will PM you as to when and where.

Regards...

Sarge..

[Ken Higginbotham]

Hum... My wheels are turning, not sure if 3 days in enough to convince cupcake I intend to cut loose of $800 :p

I'll pm you my cell. I'm thinking of snaeking by after work Fri. Then if we get done at the church workday I may come back sat. afternoon with some of the church guys...

[John Thompson]

Hum... My wheels are turning, not sure if 3 days in enough to convince cupcake I intend to cut loose of $800 :p

I'll pm you my cell. I'm thinking of snaeking by after work Fri. Then if we get done at the church workday I may come back sat. afternoon with some of the church guys...

Bring em on... there will be other SC blow-out's other than the TS according to Andy. He was crusiing through Asheville, N.C. heading toward Atlanta when I spoke to him. BTW.. I got your PM and replied with my phone number which is home. I'm not your cell phone kind of guy... :)

Sarge..

[Ken Higginbotham]

.... I'm not your cell phone kind of guy... :)
Sarge..

Lucky you - ;)

[Greg Cole]

I'd vote for the 3 hp version if you can swing it. You won't regret the additional power and the industrial version of the trunions. I have the 3 hp, full on cabinet saw with the "TIN" coated top & love it. Picked it up brand new, without a fence for $600.:D
The hybrid is a step up from a contractor saw for sure, but I'd take the additional step if at all possible.
My old TS is a General Int'l, with 2 HP and the difference is NIGHT 'N' DAY when ripping any tough or thick stock. I have to keep telling myself to keep my feed rates up as it doesn't need to be babied nor does it bog down.
The idea of buying a cheaper saw to buy better blades doesn't fly here, as you need good blades regardless of saw. You might not be able to buy 3-4 dedicated blades at once, but a good rip and a good combo style blade go a long way.

[Ken Higginbotham]

Ok... So this weekend I went off the deep-end and bought the 3hp version at the Atlanta wood working show mainly because I like to rip down 2x stock. Thanks for the input and to John for personal phone calls/advice -

ken