Sears Steele 35t for $1150. Should I?

Doesn't seem like such a great deal when you factor in the shipping . . . I mean it's not a bad price, but not really a steal of a deal either.

After shipping its in line with the Speeco 35Ter.

For that price, you can get a quality Brave 22- or 26-ton model shipped to you. If it were a choice between that 35-ton model and a 22-ton Brave, I'd take the Brave every time based on its better construction and known quality.

DonNC said:

You would take the brave over a TSC or Northern Tool 20 - 22 ton also? I ask because the price difference . Those other two range from 999 to 1200 and you can pick them up local

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No. Only over that 35-ton Steele splitter you referred to in your original post. Those splitters with hollow toe plates (regardless of brand) tend to fail at the toe plate. The rest of that Steele splitter looks a bit cheap, too. (Of course, pictures are no substitute for seeing one in person.)

I like the Huskee (made by SpeeCo) splitters sold at TSC, and I have a Huskee 35-ton. I would take a Huskee 22- or 35-ton model over the Steele, too. I also like the SpeeCo 25-ton models with 14s cycle times of faster (the speed can vary a lot in those 25-ton units). Brave is a very good splitter maker, but they are a little pricier than the Huskee/Speeco models. Also, with Brave (and Iron & Oak) you have to pay extra for a log dislodger and a cradle attachment.

I haven't used a Northern Tool splitter, but there are some in various forums who have them and like them. Note that they also have the solid toe plate.

DonNC said:

Thanks for posting. You've made a big difference in my decision on splitters.
and just to be certain... what you are calling the toe plate.... Is that the part I have been calling the base plate.... opposite the wedge?

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Yes. "toe plate" = base plate