Replies

1. 
   BG | Jul 18, 2002 01:10pm | #1

   Pat,

   I'm in the same boat as you and therefore can't offer much insite on either of the saws.  However, from my reading of the mixed reviews on nearly every machine, it seemed to me many problems/flaws, etc. were either minor or happened in shipping...  Therefore, if at all possible, I'm going to try to buy off the floor an already set up model. 

   This is an important investment to us, and quite frankly, we should be choosing/deciding between Hammer and Felder or something in that quality/ safety range.  How much quality can we expect from Powermatic or Delta for $850-900 bucks.  If it was for your car that cost might cover an alternator and a battery...or one mechanics day with an electrical problem (grrr..urge to kill). 

   Personally, I really like the Powermatic but feel the Delta has a better fense with more flexibility and adjustability.  Also, from the standpoint of parts availability and aftermarket add-ons I gotta believe Delta is superior.  Good luck with your decision   

2. 
   KyleZ | Jul 18, 2002 02:33pm | #2

   Pat:

   I believe that General International offers a left tilt contractor's saw as well.  I do not have one, but intend to purchase one.   A dealer close to me has them on sale for $649.  That includes a Canadian made Biesemeyer clone fence.

3. 
   alias | Jul 18, 2002 07:24pm | #3

   i havea powermatic artisian 64 line , i bought mine when they first came out. instead of the delta contractor grade, just because of the vega fence. as i remember delta had non- descrip style fence,and the construction was somewhat sturdier.i did have to re-align the top to the blade that was a handful of boltsand a cup of coffee well to this day i use it on the job for everything fascia to cabinets, construction of period style doors ,windows, raised panels, you got the idea. and the only gripe i have is the weight, it's pretty heavy. i've moved to at least 15-18 jobs(i do all restoration work, 1600-early 1900) it's takin' some dumps, and the fence and tables all have been calibrated back to dead-nuts accurate, i never had to to replace anything except the throat inserts. i did just recently got rid of the bottom half one of the legs collapsed and after a year or two i tossed it and made my own with plenty of room for the accessories, and rolls with a push of a hand. i had a guy iput on a job knew his stuff , left the saw on the job with him. somehow or another a car battery from the lull we rented ended up on the corner of the saw and the battery oozed out on the table and left a pit mark the size of a quarter. also in the beginning the saw passed the nickel test, then the bottom started loosening up. then like i said built the new one with armor -flex between the steel frame upper and wood lower then bolted it down, and i'm back to the nickel accuracy. all the fittings are still good except the pressure pin from the miter gear which connects the gear to the to the rod that's to the side miter adjustment that came out last year and believe it or not i found it with a magnet and replaced it with a tap of my narrowist nail punch, that cinched it . i do keep maintenance up on it , but not perversly. the top , the fence is a vega aluminum body, i flip it over blow it out with air, scrub it completely with kerosene once a year. and go at it with lithium paste and a toothbrush twice a year. i like the saw, would i buy it again sure but i'd look at the delta also.i understand they have made improvement's on both it's handled everything i 've thrown at it . but i also know it's limitation's powerwise and table size. this saw is built for the long haul make no mistake . i have a dewalt cute little portable, i'll give that maybe five years till i give it to my brother. but that's completely another forum /thread . well good luck if you want anymore info i'll try to help. oh yeah i bought in 1990-91 . cheers bear

   
   

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   Edited 7/18/2002 12:29:21 PM ET by the bear

1. 
   DonStephan | Jul 18, 2002 11:10pm | #4

   Purchased my 52" 64A in July, 1998 and the only gripe I have is that dust collection is not as good as I'd like. But that really is a common trait of contractor type of saws, and it is not fair to complain (but I do anyway). I've cut hundreds of sheets of melamine for cabinets with no chipping (when the blade is sharp), lots of plywood of various types, hardwoods all with no problem. Motor is small (again part of the nature of contractor saws) but doesn't really hold me back. Sure, wish I had a cabinet saw, but at the time didn't have the $ or adequate flooring for the heavier unit. No regrets, chose the Powermatic over the Delta for the left tilting blade feature.

4. 
   Len_Olson | Jul 19, 2002 02:35am | #5

   Before you jump on this particular saw at a particular price and dealer, go check out this site:

   http://www.generalindustrialsupp.com/GenericList.asp

   I've been watching it closely for another item to turn up. I think this is probably the parent company's business to liquidate both Jet and Powermatic. My only advice is that if this saw is going to be stationary, pump in a couple hundred more for a cabinet saw. I wouldn't trade my PM 66 5hp for any other product.

   Len

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 19, 2002 05:13am | #6

   I tried to go to that page directly and got an error.  Can go to home page:

   http://www.generalindustrialsupp.com/

   and then click on the "View Scratch and Dent Databoase" icon.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   BrentTOOLz | Jul 19, 2002 05:01pm | #7

   The Scratch and Dent Database is a work in progress. Right now there is only JET Woodworking Machinery on it, and I am currently entering in Powermatic Woodworking. But in the future will hold Woodworking & Metalworking, along with Performax, Dewalt, Wilton. All data is being entered in with hand and takes an adverage of 2 minutes per entry so as you can see a LONG process!!!

   Thanks

   Brent