Highdesert Splintermaker Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Haven't heard any comments on either of those two brands. Both are clearly better quality than HF but their prices won't make it so difficult to then buy the materials for your next project. Shop Fox makes a rather large benchtop drill press well suited for working wood and light metals plus it comes with a built in reciprocating drum sander function. The speeds range from those well attuned to drilling larger holes in wood (and some phenolics) to those usually best for metalworking. Steel City also makes some rather competitively priced power tools. I have yet to own or use one personally but have been in touch with one of their factory reps who tells me they are currently working on an 8" version of their current 6" benchtop jointers. would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used any of their tools or any tools from ShopFox as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I've seen a lot of Shop Fox stuff. Seems to be a step above HF.I have no dealings with Steel City, but have wondered about them myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR99 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Steel City oem's some of the other brands bench top stationary power tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric - TIA Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Never heard of either of them, but based on what you guys say, I might have to give them a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Steel City oem's some of the other brands bench top stationary power tools.That's my boy! Who's making the damn thing is the question I always ask myself.I knew I'd rub off on you eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highdesert Splintermaker Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I've been checking on the Steel City website for updates in their product line but have seen nothing of the 8" bench jointer I exchanged emails with them about last year. Anyone else out there heard anything? I think perhaps a better bet would be to upgrade to a cabinet table saw (keeping the radial Arm saw, of course), something with belt drive and more precise control over blade angle, and use that for jointing. Then concentrate a few bucks into a good helical head planer and a two stage dust collector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 I hadn't been on Steel City's web site since this thread was new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfwjr Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I was checking out their 13 inch planer with a helical head. It goes for about $599.00 I think. I need to track down some reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadlanthier Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I never buy anything without a review, then I read the reviews and have to look somewhere else. Damit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfwjr Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I never buy anything without a review, then I read the reviews and have to look somewhere else. DamitThat has happened to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highdesert Splintermaker Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Apparently Steel City did not come out with the 8" jointer I'd hoped for. Guess I'll have to go buy and make do with one of those 6" bench top machines. I really would like to be able to joint a 2 x 8 without having to both buy and then make room for one of those $1,000 to $3,000 aircraft carrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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