LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

International Tool in Davie, FL

2K views 24 replies 7 participants last post by  dhazelton 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Is anyone familiar with this place? Reputation? They have pretty good pricing, but was wondering about their customer service, etc.
 
#4 ·
Maybe I should mention, I've never bought anything as large as a table saw from them, mostly hand held power tools and accessories. Is that where you are looking at for a Unisaw?
 
#9 ·
I bought my unisaw from them this fall, price was great, communication as far as shipping sucked.
As far as delta goes, my extension wing leveling holes were not tapped. The delta service person was, to put it nicely, a condescending ass. Took 3 weeks to finally get replacements and then they sent 2 sets. Go figure…...
 
#10 ·
Typically, the retailer doesn't handle warranty service and if they do, it's simply to swap out a unit (unless they are actually a service center as well). But asking won't hurt! I recently needed a part that was missing from the box when I got it, so I just e-mailed Delta and asked what I needed to do. I rarely place a call, as usually you just get some low level flunky who doesn't want to be there anyway. E-mailing them gets it directed to someone who actually does care! Anyway, they just asked for a mailing address to send it to, and didn't even want proof of purchase or anything else. Got the part three days later.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#11 ·
I bought my unisaw from them this fall, price was great, communication as far as shipping sucked.
As far as delta goes, my extension wing leveling holes were not tapped. The delta service person was, to put it nicely, a condescending ass. Took 3 weeks to finally get replacements and then they sent 2 sets. Go figure…...

- knotheadswoodshed
Why didn't you tap them yourself. I know a guy shouldn't have to do that but it would beat the crap out of waiting 3 weeks.
 
#12 ·
at $2500.00 I figured it should have been right to begin with, but had I known before starting that it would be a fiasco, I would have tapped them myself. On the flip side, I now have 2 extra sets of cast iron wings.
 
#13 ·
at $2500.00 I figured it should have been right to begin with, but had I known before starting that it would be a fiasco, I would have tapped them myself. On the flip side, I now have 2 extra sets of cast iron wings.

- knotheadswoodshed
The price of a tool has nothing to do with it being right to begin with, even if it should. I have machine I paid 4 timesx that and it wasn't right to begin with.

You know what Festool charges for their stuff? Well go over to the Festool's Owner's Group and see some of the problem they find on tools right out of the box. There is no amount of money that's going to make it a perfect world. I've learned that for minor stuff it easier and quicker to just take care of it my self.

It may not be right but that's the way it is.
 
#14 ·
You are free to see it any way you choose, imho, not holding companies accountable just perpetuates the problems of poor quality and piss poor customer service.

As a fellow lumberjocks tag line states "we deserve what we tolerate". I personally couldn't agree more. Again, just my opinion.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hopefully, if I order the Unisaw, it will be complete with little to no issues.

I've bought a lot of tools over the years but never a shop tool such as a cabinet saw. I've bought quite a few job site saws, miter saws, etc, but nothing like a cabinet saw fixture. The only tool I've ever purchased that was returned because it wasn't working properly, was a Ridgid planer. Didn't hold adjustments. So I returned it. Didn't even purchase another planer. However after reading dozens of table saw reviews, I'm amazed at how many issues even the "Top Tool" saws have had. Guess we can just chalk it up to the times.

@ knothead - how do you like the saw? Any operational issues now that you've had time to use it for a few months? Anything you don't like about it? Anything in particular you think made the purchase worthwhile? Oh what were the shipping issues you had with International Tool?

Edit: They have the 5hp/1ph Unisaw for $2600?
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
- knotheadswoodshed
[/QUOTE]
You are free to see it any way you choose, imho, not holding companies accountable just perpetuates the problems of poor quality and piss poor customer service.

As a fellow lumberjocks tag line states "we deserve what we tolerate". I personally couldn t agree more. Again, just my opinion.

- knotheadswoodshed
To me its a common sense thing. Run a tap through 2 holes and get on with life. Of coarse if one doesn't know how to do that then that a different story.

How are you going to hold the feet of a Twain manufacturing company to the fire over 2 missed taps?

BTW as an American you have been tolerating a ton of crap for many years from our politicians. How have you been making them accountable?
 
#18 ·
Bill, don't fret too much over this. I've bought every one of my new stationary tools, including 3 table saws, either mail order (before the web) or over the internet….one exception: my band saw. there have been a few bumps in the road, but nothing major and in every case the problem was very easily solved, either by myself, or the the company. Wish you the best wit your new saw, can't wait to see the pics and hear your opinion!
 
#19 ·
@Bill,
I have ordered almost every machine in my shop online, never had any major issues like some here have.
Your question was originally about International Tool, my answer, great price, poor shipping communication.

As far as the Unisaw goes,aside from the leveling holes not being tapped on both wings there was an issue with the bottom dust collection housing being misaligned and rubbing against the blade, minor tweaking fixed it.

Miter slot to blade alignment was at .002 out of the crate, fence face was not perfectly flat but pretty darn close.
All in all, it's a solid smooth running unit.
I got the 3hp 52" and I wouldn't hesitate to to it again
 
#20 ·
Thanks guys. I generally have no issue making online purchases. I just find it disappointing after reading so many reviews of various saws, the amount and types of issues people have experienced. One thing that is somewhat encouraging is I found very few owners of the Type 2 Unisaw expressing any serious issues.

In the other thread I started, questioning info/input on the three saws I'm interested in, some of the comments were to stay away from Delta because their fabrication was moved to Taiwan. However, none posted any other reasons and I've since discovered every saw I asked about is made overseas. Yes that's unfortunate, but I guess it's the way of the world at this point.

I'll call International Tool tomorrow to get a feel for how this might proceed, should I make a purchase there, whether it be the Unisaw or one of the others.
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
Well I pulled the trigger on a Delta thru International Tools. Spoke to them twice this morning - once to get some indication of their customer service and the second time to order. Both times were pretty good and helpful experiences. I'll have to see how the delivery goes. The unit is being drop shipped so it's coming from a North East distribution center vs shipped from FL. I'll post back with how this goes and then do a separate review of the saw, once I've had time to assemble and use it. The price shipped for a 36" rip was $2399. Haven't found anyone close to that price. Ordered the 36" rip because I'll be building an outfeed/ assembly table around the saw, which will incorporate a router. I no longer use the TS to break down sheet goods. Too old for that :O
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sounds good Bill… although I would have held out for one coming from sunny Florida :)

I have two fences for my saw… one is the original Jet-lock that only extends a few inches past the right side wing (not sure… probably around 30" rip capacity), as well as a commercial 50" Biesemeyer (and over-arm guard). I have the jet-lock on it now because of a space issue, but like you, I will eventually be adding an outfeed as well as an extension table with router, so will most likely put the Biesemeyer on at that point. I break down sheet goods with a circular saw, so it's not the rip width that I'm interested in, but the ability to use the fence for both the saw and router. I guess you will have to address the router fence differently?

Cheers,
Brad
 
#24 ·
Thanks Fred. It will be nice to work on a real machine again. And thanks for your input on International Tools. So far so good with them, but that was the easy part LOL

Brad, I have an Incra fence for my router. I'm going to try and incorporate it into the table. The Incra has a large bracket that mounts above the table, so I may need to provide a plug for the area that occupies. I can then remove the plug and replace it with the fence bracket which will be mounted to a plug of it's own. Guess I'll need to work out the details. Oh yeah, sunny Fla is looking pretty good about now :)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top