Replies

1. 
   Glaucon | Mar 21, 2007 02:04pm | #1

   I bought a Steel City 18" at Woodcraft last December. I am very happy with the quality and that every thing was packed and secured well. I think they have a rebate program running through the end of this month. I'd look at Woodcraft if you can, the one near me has several BSs by competing manufacturers assembled and available to compare, side by side. I also like the idea of being able to have them load it on to my truck rather than dealing with a freight shipper. Good luck,

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 21, 2007 07:22pm | #2

   Greetings Bill...

   What Gluacon said... I purchased the Steel City 18" from my local (Redmond & Son Machinery here in Atlanta) who is a machinery dealer and not just a retailer. Comaparison by sight tells you what kind to purchase and long warranty is icing on a cake.

   Sarge.. jt

3. 
   MoWWorker | Mar 22, 2007 01:39am | #3

   Bill,

   Just like Sarge and Glaucon, I purchased an 18" Steel City and am very happy with it.  I purchased mine from the St. Louis Woodcraft because they let me come in numerous times and measure various parameters, evaluate it against other units, and actually resaw some wood on it.  They were very helpful.

   Good luck,

   MoWWorker

1. 
   BillA | Mar 23, 2007 04:58am | #4

   I just shot and dragged home the Jet 14" Deluxe today. Woodcraft has a 10% sale on Jet starting in April and they gave me that discount today.

4. 
   bones | Mar 23, 2007 07:46pm | #5

   Go to http://www.grizzly.com . I have the 17"hd and love it.  What ever you get, consider the timberwolfe blades.  Fantastic.  Good luck. 

   P.S. I would do an advanced search her on bandsaw and you will get more opinions than you can shake a stick at. Take care. 

    

   Government'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.
   
1. 
   BillA | Mar 23, 2007 07:55pm | #6

   thanks. So in a related question, what are the "must have" accessories for a bandsaw?

1. 
   epearso | Mar 24, 2007 02:37am | #7

   Hey Gang,

   I know we're talking BS here...no, not THAT kind of BS... :-)

   But I'd like to ask a different question anyway. Most of y'all have mentioned Steel City, my general question is, how's the quality and customer service?  SC has the rebates through the end of the month and their basic 10in TS is very tempting.  Let me know what you think.

   Thx--Erik

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 24, 2007 04:32am | #8

   Evening epearso...

   I bought the SC 18" band-saw and SC 8" jointer. I would have purchased the SC table-saw, but I ran across a deal I couldn't refuse on a factory re-conditioned Uni-saw. Same with their 6" quill travel drill press, but I already had that satisfactorily covered (but no 6" travel :>). May go for their shaper one of these days.. but don't have the need for a shaper at this point.

   Quality is e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-t, the customer service is second to none and they offer a 5 year warranty!

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

1. 
   astro | Apr 01, 2007 05:53am | #9

   I only have experience with their drill press but the quality appears excellent to my eye. Very solid. No frills. Haven't had to work with technical support or customer service since the thing has been bulletproof. They seem to have their ducks in a row. Haven't read much that is negative about SC as yet...

   Rick

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Apr 01, 2007 09:06am | #10

   I have few doubts you will hear anything negative about the machines, tech service or customer service. I was due back a $100 rebate on the 8" jointer I purchased and I forgot exactly when I purchased it. As it turned out later than I remembered (senior moment) but called late Friday to find out when and if the check would be here soon.

   I called Murfreesboro (shipping.. tech.. etc.) and spoke to Miss Holly, the head of their advertising department. The checks are written in the corporate office in Pittsburgh. Holly told me to hold on and she would get Pittsburgh on the phone. It was late Friday and I told her I would call back Monday. She insisted I speak to corporate office now to save myself another phone call. In a few seconds I was speaking to Donna (the corporate accountant). Check was mailed two day before according to her.

   Got it in the mail this morning... ! They will bend over back-wards to accommodate your needs IMO.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt 

5. 
   terrylee86 | Apr 02, 2007 12:55am | #11

   I would look seriously at the Steel City 18" and the Rikon 18" and test cut them both at your local Woodcraft store.  If you want to step up in performance and money check out the Laguna 18" or the Bridgewood 18" (I think they are made in the same Italian factory)

   Terry