Sarge and other Knots members
I was at the Woodworkers Show in Houston today and saw a new 14″ bandsaw made by Steel City. Sarge, based upon your research into the company plus what I witnessed today, this looks to be a good product. Do you or anyone else know something about the SC 14″ Bandsaw that I don’t? The saw has cast iron wheels, a light, a heavy, large cast iron table and the trunnion is very solid. Roller guides top and bottom, and a 1.5 hp motor. Built in mobile base, too. It’s a Delta design, and very well done. Oh, and a 5 year warranty. Tom
“Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand”
Replies
Evening Tom...
I haven't seen it yet. But.. I have been told about it and a few other "goodies" you will see in the near future by Scott Box, the co-owner. I have no doubt that is solid and well designed as it their entire line.
I might drop by Redmond & Son Machinery here (SC distributor) in the next few weeks if they actually have it yet. SC has a TS with riving knife due out in a few months. I have the 18" BS and both it and the 20" are extremely well done. I got their 8" jointer also and matter of fact got my $100 rebate check back in the mail today.
All I can say, if it's even close to the bigger brothers, don't hesitate to pull the trigger. You'll find customer service to be second to none also. If you have seen it, you should know more than I in this case. Let that be the judge!
BTW.. did it have the double set of tension springs as the 16-18-20? I have a feeling it might. :>)
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
SargeIt sure seems to be solid. The table and trunnions are very solid and heavy duty. I only noticed one tension spring, but I didn't have my reading glasses with me, so missing a detail like that would not surprise me. What impressed me was to have all those features in a 14" saw, and at a price of $670, $570 with the rebate. The only thing the Powermatic 14" has that this one doesn't is a fence. And a decent fence is an easy jig to make in the shop. I've talked it over with my wife, and we are going to hold off until I get back from woodworking school in a few weeks. The saws won't be available till mid May at the earliest. The riser block kit is available for $69. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Probably just one spring on the 14", Tom. The 16" on up have double springs. That 16" at $999 is a good buy with the rebate at moment, BTW. Doesn't have the foot brake of the 18" or 20", but the basic design with double springs is the same.
Good luck with your choice. I think you will be impressed with it and I have a feeling you might just give Steel City a look on your next purchase. These guys are doing it right... IMO!
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
I'm down between the Rikon 14" and the Steel City 14". The SC is the probable choice here due to the features, price and quality. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
I meant to add that I was curious why SC made the 14" a cast iron frame and not a steel frame like their other bandsaws. Any thoughts/theories/conspiracies? Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Not really Tom. I will find out next week though and let you know. The cast iron is more expensive and much heavier. When using steel as most do now, you have to come up with a clever way to re-inforce the back frame or it will flex too much. Not as necessary with a cast iron saw.
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
SargeI just found it curious that they would use a different model for the 14". It's a solid machine and they're going to sell a mess of 'em, probably one to me at the end of the month! I'll keep you posted. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Morning Tom...
I just spoke to Jim Box (the brother of Scott Box..co-owner) the technical director at Steel City. The saw does have the built on mobile base.. larger roller bearing (not quite as large as 18"-20").. 16" x 16" cast iron table.. tension release.. 1 1/2 HP motor.. and most impressive is the cast iron wheels. These are things that don't have to be up-graded later to get re-saw. You do have to add the riser block.
The saw is cast iron as most 14" s are. The cost of cast iron largely prohibits using cast iron on larger models to keep cost down, so most manufacturers used cleverly designed steel re-inforced.
But they wanted to take things a step farther by using the heavier and more stable cast iron wheels in lieu of aluminum as most 14"s to reduce vibration in a saw that weight range by putting weight where it is needed and not just in the base itself.
With most of the essentials for re-saw included reducing the cost of adding a mobile base with it's on-board mobility... this saw is going to be an out-standing purchase for those interested in a 14" BS. And you get the 5 year warranty to boot.. even though I have doubts you will ever have to use it! ha.. ha...
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
Edited 4/2/2007 11:57 am ET by SARGEgrinder47
Many thanks, Sarge. It's a solid machine, just like their other products. I've also got my eye on the mortiser, although there are other purchases I need to make first--so many tools, so little time! (and money!). I'll let you know when I pull the trigger! Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
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