Popular Woodworking 2007-02 № 160, страница 13
Tool Test Steel City Tool Works Table Saw - the Newest Kid on the Block Most woodworkers dream of having a large cabinet saw as the main machine in their shop. The reality is that in many shops there isn't the room or the need for that size saw. That is why we decided to look at the smallest saw in the lineup from Steel City Tool Works. We think it is a good choice for a small shop - assuming it lives up to its promise. The saw arrived in perfect shape, protected by a steel cage and pallet. Assembly was straightforward, and attaching the cast iron wings revealed the first of many nice surprises. Instead of having to shim the wings level with the main top, set screws were provided that made this sometimes-tedious adjustment fast and painless. All of the hardware was packed in individual bags labeled with the contents, and for what step they were needed. Once the saw was together, I got out the dial indicator to check alignment and runout. I didn't need any tools for adj ustment, as everything was within .001" of where it was supposed to be. The 90° and 45° stops for the trunnions are accessible from the top of the saw, but these settings were also right on the money from the factory. The table was flat, and once the rails were assembled, the T-square type fence went on with the slick plastic faces square to the table top and parallel to the blade and miter gauge slots. The faces are easily removable from the outside of the fence, and the clamping mechanism has a larger-than-average bearing plate that locks the fence down firmly. The scale is Adjustment screws to level the cast-iron wings are but one of the many user-friendly features of the Steel City table saw. easy to read, and the cursor window has two red lines to prevent errors of parallax. The miter gauge is of decent quality. The bar is not machined, but it does have set screws in the edges to adjust the fit of the bar in the slot. The miter gauge slots in the table are standard size (3/s" x 3/4") with a T-slot. Inside the cabinet, the trunnions looked larger than I expected, and were attached to the cabinet. If the top ever needs adjustment, this arrangement makes it easier, and this type of construction provides a more solid, more smoothly running machine. There is a ramp inside the cabinet base that directs dust to the collector outlet, and the motor and switch come prewired. The connection between the two is made on assembly by plugging them together. All in all, getting the saw up and running was smooth and straightforward, made easier by nice little touches along the way that prove the folks at Steel City put some serious effort into not just the basic construction features, but the entire process from crate to shop floor. With everything assembled, it was time to put the saw through its paces. The motor drives the arbor via a poly V-belt, and it ran smooth and vibration free, easily passing the Steel City Tool Works 35601 10" Table Saw Street price: $899 Trunnions: mounted to saw cabinet, left-tilt Motor: 13/4 hp, 120 volt Fence capacity: 30" right of blade, performance: ••••O price range: $$$ Steel City: 615-225-9001 or steelcitytoolworks.com nickel test. I was initially concerned that the motor would be underpowered, but it handled rip cuts in 4/4 hardwoods with ease. Included with the saw is a decent quality, carbide-tipped combination blade. Deciding to kick things up a notch, I made some rips in 8/4 white oak. It wasn't effortless, but the saw didn't bog down, either. For those who want more power, this saw is also available with a 3-hp motor for $100 more. The guard is the standard basket type, with splitter and anti-kickback pawls. I would prefer to see a riving knife, but this guard does detach and reattach quickly. A single knob behind the saw, together with a clip behind the blade, holds the guard in place, so there are no tools and little time involved in removing or replacing the guard. — Robert W. Lang For more information, circle # 167 on Free Information Card. continued on page 28 26 Popular Woodworking February 2007 |
