I have gone to the darkside

[AAJIII]

My trusty 3100 alas has finally seen its better days.

I have used the 3100 in my shop for almost four years of very hard use and thousands of linear feet of cutting.

The new addition is a Steel City #35618 left tilt with the 50" industral fence. My initial impressions are positive. Uncrating and set up tool about 4.5 hours and most of the factory setting were right on the money.

It appears to be a well thought our machine. If you have to square the blade to the miter slots there are four bolts that are easily accessable to make the adjustment. Again this was right on from the factory.

The test cuts are smooth. Blade raising and tilt are easy. The cranks are very large, heavy and solid metal.

The only minor complaint is the splitter does not move with the blade hight.

The saw was on sale for $1699.00 with three free blades and an 8" dado set.

Final thoughts, I am happy with the saw.

AL

[gsmittle]

My trusty 3100 alas has finally seen its better days.

I have used the 3100 in my shop for almost four years of very hard use and thousands of linear feet of cutting.

The new addition is a Steel City #35619 left tilt with the 50" industral fence. My initial impressions are positive. Uncrating and set up tool about 4.5 hours and most of the factory setting were right on the money.

It appears to be a well thought our machine. If you have to square the blade to the miter slots there are four bolts that are easily accessable to make the adjustment. Again this was right on from the factory.

The test cuts are smooth. Blade raising and tilt are easy. The cranks are very large, heavy and solid metal.

The only minor complaint is the splitter does not move with the blade hight.

The saw was on sale for $1699.00 with three free blades and an 8" dado set.

Final thoughts, I am happy with the saw.

AL

I'm not sure if $1700 with three blades and dado set is suckworthy, but just in case: YOU SUCK!!!!

I've been drooling over the Steel City saw for a while now. So much so that the Woodcraft guy made be clean the rust off...

g.

[cgallery]

I don't see a 35619, I see a 35618. In either case, I'm sure it is a fantastic saw. Enjoy it!

[WayneJ]

Good luck with it. I might just stop over this week end and check it out.
Wayne

[AAJIII]

I don't see a 35619, I see a 35618. In either case, I'm sure it is a fantastic saw. Enjoy it!

You are right is is the 35618 which is the whole kit. 35619 is the table saw only.

al

[cabinetman]

I looked it up, looks good. Did you get it with the Biesemeyer like pictured? Just curious about why you picked a left tilt? And did you consider a PM or Uni for that kind of money?

[Knottscott]

Congrats! ....Sounds like a great saw, but you know they say...."no pic, didn't happen"!

So you can borrow this file photo until you can post your own!

[AAJIII]

I just feel more at ease with the left tilt, for some reason it feels more natural. For as many years that I used the BT the right tilt always seemed wrong.

There were a few factors I considered, but after seeing and comparing at one of the shows, it seemed that the saw was well designed and thought out.

ALso, time was a factor as I was in the middle of a couple of jobs that I needed my table saw for.

Yes I did get the fence pictured although it is branded Steel City.

[Uncle Cracker]

We don't discriminate against darksiders here... All we ask is that you maintain an honored place for your BT in your memories, if not your shop... I'm sure mine will go eventually, but I would always remember it as the little choo-choo that could.

[Pappy]

One of my customers recently became a Steel City dealer. Been looking at the various machines as he set them up. Impressive line of tools!

[RodKirby]

... Just curious about why you picked a left tilt? And did you consider a PM or Uni for that kind of money?

IMHO - With the rip fence on the right (normal?), bevel cuts to the left (work piece on the right), it is safer and certainly more comfortable. It was one of the things I liked best when I replaced my BT3000. The kicker was the separate wheels for raise/lower and tilt

[drumpriest]

That looks to be a good saw for the long haul, congrats. Cabinetman, the PM2000 is about 2200$ at the moment, so there is a price jump, and I think the Uni is up to 2000$ too, and still no RK.

[bigstick509]