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Steel City 65720 review

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18K views 20 replies 12 participants last post by  jdmongo  
#1 · (Edited)
I've done a heck of a lot of research in choosing a new table saw. I scoured the web for reviews on many different brands. After several months, I finally decided on the Steel City 35670 10" Hybred.
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http://steelcitytoolworks.com/products_tools.cfm?section=2&category=12&tool=35670
Steel City also makes the Craftsman 22124 Hybred, but reviews mentioned flex in the cabinet when adjusting the blade angle to the stops. Apparently the metal of the cabinet is a little thinner. Not only that, but a 1 year warranty on the Craftsman as opposed to a 5 year on the Steel City clinched the deal.

I got a couple bodies to help me, hitched up the trailer, and we lit on out to Marsh Power Tools, the local toy store. Got it back to my place and put the steel packing crate in the garage. Removed a few bolts and disengaged the saw from the packing frame. Wound up with lots of boxes of goodies.

http://www.routerforums.com/attachments/axlmyks-stuff/12385-steel-city-pics-100_2691s.jpg



Following the order of assembly by the manual went pretty smoothly.

You start by removing the packing from the motor, and installing the belt. A simple task.






Opening the accessories box reveals a bunch of goodies.



Continued-
 
#2 · (Edited)
You install the dust port, fence hangers, wrench hanger, and the crank handles. Then you move on to the cast iron side tables.
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You install them snug, then adjust them level with the main top. This took me an hour or so to do them both.
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Next is the riving knife/blade guard assembly.
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http://www.geocities.com/axlmyk/SteelCity/100_2701s.jpg
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Continued-
 
#3 · (Edited)
Checking the arbor for square is next, as well as the 90 and 45 degree blade angles. The arbor was dead on, but I had to adjust the 90 degree blade angle. Very easy to do from the top of the table.
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The fence rails are next. The directions could have been a bit clearer here.
Took a while to figure out the placement of the rails.
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Aligning the fence was simple. Adjust a couple nylon screws to tighten the fence, and check for parallel with the blade. It was also dead on out of the box. I set the zero on the guide and did a test cut. 4" was exactly 4".
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http://www.geocities.com/axlmyk/SteelCity/100_2708s.jpg
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Since I didn't install the outboard table, that will be tomorrows' job.
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To be continued.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Finished

Got the mobile base under the saw today, and waxed her up. Nice and shiny, but not so much to reflect light and create problems.
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Now for a few comments---

Pros:
*The cabinet is well built and very solid. I notice no flex in it at all.
*The table has a nice semi-polished finish, and is flat within .001".
*When running, you know there is power driving the blade. When turned off it takes approx. 5 seconds for the blade to stop. It is quiet, and has a minimum of vibration.
*The fence is very stiff. It takes quite a bit of pressure to get it to deflect less than 1/16". I got the standard deluxe fence with the saw.
*Alignment of the arbor and fence were right on. Only adjustment I had to do was the 90deg. bevel stop.
*The index magnifier is easy to read and set.
*The blade guard flips up and out of the way for blade changes. It is also easy to remove with one knob.
*There is ample room for your hands to change blades.
*For $899 after the rebate it's a great saw. Even for list price of $999 it's a good deal. Steel City gets good reviews on all it's products.

Cons:
*The miter gauge is junk. I'm glad I have an Osbourne EB-3.
*The saw rocks in the mobile base. I'll have to look into that.
*What is really confusing, 1/4"x20tpi bolts and nuts have a 10mm head. 5/16" bolts and nuts have a 12mm head. Strange having to use metric wrenches to tighten SAE bolts. Allen bolts are the same way, but at least you get the wrenches for them.
*The table insert is not exactly flat. Had a tough time adjusting it flat to the table.
 
#6 ·
Mike,

I thought the same thing about the miter gage that came with my Craftsman. It looks like they wanted to add every possible feature to a miter gage except for practicality.

The outfeed table could be a little beefier, but it's not that bad....

If your saw is anything like the craftsman, you're going to love it. The ease of putting the blade guard on and off, the quietness of the tool, and quality of cuts are awesome.

Enjoy!
 
#11 ·
Hi Mike,

SWEET!! :D Congrats again on the new TS. :)
I gotta agree with ya 'bout the insert(s). Some can be a bit tricky to get flat. Nice looking planer too. :D :)

Ed, the pics are back up. Sometimes certain sites do have a "maintance" time and they are down for an hr or so. :)
 
#14 ·
Going to be a while before I get another project going Doc. The shop is totally torn apart right now. That big saw takes up a lot of room, so I'm re-arranging everything.
I do plan on building a tool chest. Pics to come Harry.
 
#17 ·
Rocking mobile base

I finally got a chain fall so I could hoist that 400 pound monster off the mobile base. After cutting some triangle pieces of 3/4" ply and putting them in the corners of the base, I let the saw down on it and, it rocked. No change. Well heck. I then put some thick felt table pads on the feet and let down on the base. It rocked.
Now the frustration sets in. Looking under the cabinet, I noticed the feet are on some rather thin sheet metal in the corners of the cabinet, so I cut some 1x2" oak stock to fit in the corners of the base, and have the corners of the cabinet sit on those. That worked. It sits nice and tight.
It would have prevented a lot of trouble if I had just taken the plastic feet off in the first place.
 
A
#21 ·
Nice saw. I have a Steel city hybrid saw also - a cast irom top. I see they still have not added an access door on the left side to provide an easier way to install or change a belt. The only trouble I have had with mine is the pulley on the moror shaft came loose and the belt broke. They were nice about replacing the parts although it took a good while to get them. Installing the pulley and belt was a chore.
 
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