Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Nov 01, 2005 06:03am | #1

   Could be if you could not tell the difference when you used them before you won't now .So it boils down to where you live and service availability which according to your profile is known only to yourself.Cabinet saws of that type are crude and effective machinery.Bearings and belts are all you should need and some mechanical common sense to make  adjustments now and then.We have two general 350's that are 20 yrs old and one 5yrs old used(and abused) professionally, daily.We have never had to contact the factory to fix them or to get parts.We get belts and bearings from a bearing supplier.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 01, 2005 06:30am | #2

   I would call the Powermatic people and ask how their motors on the 66 are holding up.

   They'll say "fine."

   You say -- well, I have heard (on the FWW forum) that some have not held up.

   Then you ask, what will you do if the motor does blow up? They'll say they will replace it within a year after purchase.

   Then you ask, will you do anything if it dies in 13 months?

   That's what happened to me. I had to fight like the devil, but they finally agreed to pay half for the replacement (the motor goes for about $400). This is the deal I got by going up the line to the head of CS; I suspect I could have done better by going further up the chain of command, but I didn't have the time, and I needed the replacement ASAP.

   The only other advice I would give you is to buy it locally instead of mail order. A good dealer can be a wonderful ally if you have problems.

   With a TS, the motor is about the only long term problem you can have. If there's anything else amiss, you will most likely know about it in a week or two.

   Overall, I think they are both good saws, and you can safely make a choice based on features you like, local availability of sales and service, price, etc.

   Good luck.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   John_D | Nov 01, 2005 08:16am | #3

   Seems you probably replaced with another from PM... did you consider replacing with a Baldor or something? (Not arguing you SHOULD have, just wondering if you looked into it?)

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 01, 2005 03:12pm | #6

   The original was a Baldor ( 3 hp), as was the replacement motor.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   Knotscott | Nov 01, 2005 12:20pm | #4

   Both are great saws. I think you'll find that most folks with alot of exposure to both find the General to be the more robust. General is a family owned business and that saw is still built the way the old Uni's were, and it'll last forever.

4. 
   Ejc | Nov 01, 2005 12:53pm | #5

   Well, just went thru this myself.  If your counting hashmarks, I bought the General 650.  I'm happy with  the machine. My reason, was my local PM dealer , while a great tool store, let me fall thru the cracks and I got crappy service, so I went elsewhere. That led me to the General dealer , in hindsight I feel better about the machine I bought, cant put my finger on it though , maybe  i like the way the motor sez baldor,could be my favorite color is green, perhaps its just the way we feel about our toys.   Good luck, peace..

   E