Wow quite an ordeal, order placed 18Nov. 2007 recieved 2 weeks later. The crate of the jointer base was smashed apart on the infeed end. The manager of the local WoodCraft store (1.5 hours away) told me don’t worry about it if its damaged they would replace it. I took home both boxes ( mistakes 1&2). The jointer base was crushed in 5/8 in the center of the front and back to the point of the logo popping loose. Woodcraft said no problem we’ll order another one.
On 19 Nov. 2007 I went back to Wood Craft to purchase the Steel City 17” drill press with laser which wasn’t in stock. They ordered it for me for in-store pick-up and said about 2 weeks. When I called about the jointer base I offered to bring it back and they told me to just wait untill the drill press is in and pick up them both. I called a couple of times a week over the following 5 weeks to check on my drill press that was still not there and to ensure that the new base was the correct one. Finally, on the 6th week my drill press arrived so I repacked the dented base and drove back down. To my amazement they had the WRONG BASE !!!
I emailed Steel City on their web site and heard back 6 more days later. It was actually Scott Box, President of Steel City Toolworks. He told me he was sorry and said he would have a new one in 1 week shipped to my door. Cool, accept 2weeks later it arrived. Mind you I havent had a chance all this time to check the jointer tables and fence for flatness. Not much to brag about there either. The fence is a banana .0115 dip that spans all but 6” on either end. How about a .045 dip about 6” from the blade all the way across the 8” width of the out feed table. This sucks! I am embarressed by this whole ordeal, I thought I was the smart guy who did his research and didn’t just go with the big name like Powermatic or Delta. I just sent an email to Scott Box lets see how it goes. Todays date 22 January 2008 only 8 weeks later.
P.S. Can’t say much for tech support either. I called 2 days ago and still haven’t even heard anything or talked to anybody. I have a Rikon bandsaw call them and talk to a real person anytime I call.
-- Iannlb
4 comments so far
JC
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127 posts in 693 days
posted 672 days ago
Wow – what a bummer! Their tools are so nice, too bad their distribution & customer service aren’t. You should post this in Reviews…
-- JC - Central PA - www.affyx.com
Scott Bryan
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20668 posts in 717 days
posted 672 days ago
I agree this is a downer. Getting new tools is one of the benefits of this hobby. But to have them shipped in this kind of condition is atrocious. I feel your pain. Whenever I get a new tool it is just like Christmas and I simply can’t wait to turn it on and make some sawdust.
Keep us posted on the results because, like you, the Steel City products look interesting to me.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
ricktrue
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1 post in 607 days
posted 595 days ago
All I can say is that my experience with Steel City was totally the opposite. I bought several items from my Woodcraft dealer. A couple of items got slight {insignificant} mars and a small item of two was missing and the factory rep was all over it. People at “head quarters” were pleasant and got it taken care of right away. That’s my story. When a company doesn’t stand behind a product or “hides”, I’m the very first to complain and spread the word.
-- ricktrue
iannlb
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11 posts in 674 days
posted 595 days ago
Hi Ricktrue,
Good news, please let me clarify; the people at Steel City were extremely helpful in my case as well. I was just upset that it took so long for the initial respone to my email and voicemail. However, since then tech support and even a company exec. have been great. I’m glad to here all went well for you, wish you the best and look forward to reading your review of the equipment that you purchased after using it for a while.
iannlb
-- Iannlb