Steel City Granite topped Tools jointer in particular
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| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I am considering buying an 8″ granite tables and am a little concerned about the reorganization they are going through. Also, one particular dealer is currently selling them almost 500.00 below retail. Are they trying to unload them and stop selling their tools as woodcraft corporate has done. I’d appreciate as much feedback on this as I can get. Thanks
Replies
I have 3 Steel City machines.. 5 HP Industrial TS.. 18" BS and the 8" Deluxe jointer. My jointer originally had the cast iron fence but Steel City gave me the original proto-type granite fence for the jointer after they introduced granite at the LV show in 2007 to test for them. I love the granite fence as it is dead flat and bolted right onto my jointer the same way as the cast iron. For that matter I love all 3 of my SC machines.
The dealer you mention is probably trying to clear it as he may no longer carry the line or SC may possibly be re-placing the granite table model. Ask them! I love my granite fence... others love their granite top but... I would be hesitant personally about purchasing the jointer with granite tables as the granite is very heavy and that is a lot of weight hanging out over the dove-tail ways IMO. As far as SC they have re-organized as I am personally friends with the former president and demo'ed their machines at IWF in 2008 for them. Of course that does not shed light on the current regime.
The fact they just started advertising again is good.. the fact they have a booth at the International WW Fair in Atlanta next week is excellent as I can tell you a booth alone the size they have is about a $60,000 investment.. That is not counting what it takes to transport machines.. assemble.. labor to work the show.. etc. so that is a sign they very well may be re-bounding and have a grasp on the re-organization. I doubt seriously they would attend IWF if they were considering "throwing in the towel"! Frankly I have never had one problem with any of my 3 machines in 4 years and don't expect to as all are made very well.
I don't thinik personally in this economy that any machine company is exempt from possible fail and that includes ones that have been around forever. You just never know do you? But with that said most WW machines are only going to need bearings... belts.. etc. that can be matched locally in most cases so in my opinion I would purchase another of their machines at the right price if I were in need of a machine. In my case I am not as my shop was fully complete with up-grades as of 4 years ago. Well.. with the exception of an open end belt sander and if I run into a SC being closed out as you have I would jump on it or a used one locally. I am thank-ful for not needing much at this point with rising prices and sinking economy... :>)))
Good luck...
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I have a Steel City 5hp tablesaw and a Steel City 20 inch planer. Great tools. Around two years ago I tried to buy their 8-inch granite jointer which was heavily discounted at Highland Hardware. The order kept getting delayed and finally after nine months was canceled. Highland said Steel City was having problems with the 8-inch jointer and withdrawing it from the market. And for quite awhile no one advertised it. A couple of months ago ads again began to appear for it. In the meantime I bought a Grizzly 8-incher with a helical cutterhead and inserts. It's a wonderful machine. No matter where the fence is positioned I get a dead-on ninety degree edge cut. And the face jointing is perfect. Just built a large workbench from rough lumber and spent many hours with the jointer. Very, very good machine.
steel city jointer
thanks for the rresponse to the 8" jointer inquiry. Some things to consider aka grizzly and the granite fence only option. If I haave any further questions I'll post again
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