Replies

1. 
   Peter36 | Jan 27, 2005 04:38am | #1

   The FWW annual tools and shops isssue from 1 year ago tests several saws including the 64A. They ended up choosing the General and second place was the Dewalt. You should try to get that magazine and check that out. Hope this helps you.  Peter

2. 
   Dustmight | Jan 27, 2005 02:32pm | #2

   Hi Mike - The PM is clearly a nice CS, but it's still a CS and is alot of money for that type of tool IMO.  You're firmly into the price range of an entry level Griz or Shop Fox cabinet saws, the Sears 22124 cabinet saw, and the GI 50-220CM1 hybrid (not the 50-220M1 with lousy fence).  I'm hearing rumblings about a new Delta hybrid that's out too.  You're also not far from a Bridgewood, GI, Jet, and even some Delta cabinet saw deals. ($1200-1600)

   I have no doubt the PM64 will do a good job.  But your own words..."Am I going to regret spending this much money for a contractor style saw?", and "I just want to make sure that the 64 is going to be my best saw choice.", give me reason to chime in with my two cents.  IMHO that saw is not worth what appears to be a pretty significant premium ($300-500!) over other like styled saws, some of which are actually rated higher than the PM by this fine magazine.  It's still a Taiwanese made CS saw much like most of the others.....it just doesn't offer enough advantage to justify the premium in my view.

   I don't want to be the reason that you don't end up buying the saw you want....you solicited opinions, and that's mine. 

   Good luck and let us know how you make out....

   Here's more on the same topic: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages/?msg=21367.1

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/27/2005 8:40 am ET by sliversRus

1. 
   ChestnutWwking | Jan 27, 2005 07:00pm | #3

   Slivers,

   My biggest concern with looking into a cabinet saw is being able to get it in and out of my basment shop.  The weight of the saw is the big issue here.  I would love to invest in a cabinet saw, but I am concerned with getting it in and out of my shop in the basement. Let me know what you think and suggest for this problem of mine.

   Thanks for your previous info and your continued opinions and thoughts.

   Thanks,

   Mike

1. 
   notrix | Jan 27, 2005 08:04pm | #4

   I wouldn't be too concerned of the weight. Neither one can be mearly lifted and carried easily. Your going to have to use a hand dolly which basically equalizes the weight. I just sold a Delta CSaw and bought a used PM66. I was thinking the same as you. How am I going to move it? Can't fit in my Tacoma! HEAVY!! But...I easily transported the saw. I took about 30 minutes to disassemble it down to the basic cabinet and with help it easily tilted into the truck. In a sense the PM66 is lighter because you won't fool yourself into power lifting it. I actually lifted and moved my CSaw once or twice and it wasn't smart. IMO If your just going to place the saw in one place don't consider the weight a deciding factor. You can work around that.And as always my motto: Buy the best and cry onceNotrix

1. 
   jaypoe | Jan 27, 2005 10:29pm | #5

   You only need to move it twice. Once into the basement, then out. Thats about 30 minutes of work for many, MANY more hours of use. I would choose the saw based on your use, not the difficulty of moving it, unless of coarse, you plan to move it more than 2 or 3 times a year.

2. 
   Ernie48 | Jan 27, 2005 11:17pm | #6

   Mike,

   I too have my workshop in my basement with access only by stairs and recently purchased a Unisaw. It came with the mobile base as part of the package. With the help of one other individual we were able to get all of the boxes down into my basement via the hatchway stairs. We took as much weight as possible out of the box that the cabinet base was in (removed the cast iron extensions which were loose in the box) and then were able to carefully slide the box with the cabinet still mounted to the shipping skids down the stair treads. Once in the basement, I assembled the mobile base first, removed the hardware holding the cabinet to the shipping skid and slid the cabinet onto the mobile base. I then assembled the rest of the saw components. It may not be easy but it can be done and if you are really interested in a cabinet saw it is worth the effort IMHO. Hope this helps with your decision.

   Ernie

3. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jan 30, 2005 04:22am | #10

   Mike,I have a second story shop. I just moved a 400-lb jointer into it by myself except for a moment of assistance from my tiny wife. It came in two major pieces which I could lift with my small hoist thru a hole in the floor. Basement stairs seem more difficult. However, if you are going to move it in only, rather than in-and-out, a cabinet saw may well be worth the little extra weight lifted. Surely cabinet saws come only partially assembled also.I was interested in the PM 64A myself based on a friend's recommendation. Instead, I bought a Delta contractor saw for about half the price partly because it was assembled so I didn't have to remove cosmoline!! But I didn't turn it on!! I bought it from a place where I have a 90-day return privilege which I might exercise. Based on that purchase, my advice is this: If you must buy a contractor saw, see it in the flesh (or metal) and TURN IT ON!! A contractor saw can run smoothly, but don't take it for granted. I don't know what I will do about my own stupidity -- try a link belt or return the saw. It was a lot of work installing it. But I will certainly put less faith in tool reviews.Good luck!

1. 
   Peter36 | Jan 30, 2005 05:20am | #11

   I have a Delta contractors saw and it vibrated worse than my wifes........well thats another story. I bought a link belt at Lee Valley and it was about 95% smoother. It is truly amazing the difference that it makes. I then aligned the motor to the arbour pulley and that made an enormous difference as well. Overall I wish that I had spent the money and bought a cabinet saw. The purchases that I make now always involve the same saying " well I plan on doing this for the rest of my life" . I try to buy the best now.  I have heard several complaints about the powermatic 64A. I think that realistically all saws may need some tweaking. It is part of the setup. Good luck. Peter.

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jan 30, 2005 06:28am | #12

   Peter,Yours is encouraging news. After the struggle with the jointer and its cosmoline, and not having seen a PM64A myself, and it was the night of the full moon, I chose what seemed the easiest and least expensive way to go. The Delta does cut fairly well, but I really could have afforded better. Thanxx!! for your encouragement.

3. 
   wilkesland | Jan 28, 2005 07:44pm | #7

   Hi Mike

   You might want to check this thread out before buying the Powermatic CS http://forums.taunton.com/n/find/findRedir.asp?webtag=tp-knots&mg=00D916E6-3443-4530-B8CC-2B2FCC3E2FF7

    

   I have a Jet contractor saw in my basement. Because I tried to move the saw in without disassembling it, I had an accident in which the saw  got away from me, overturned and cracked the trunnion. I am just now getting the saw back into service after about a month. So, if you are going to have to do assembly- disassembly anyway, why not do a little more and go for the cabinet saw?

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 28, 2005 08:18pm | #8

   Just a thought...  Call around for local moving company. See what it costs to have them pick it up at the depot where it is shipped and have them worry about getting it down there..  If you REALLY want a Cabinet saw and have the money GO FOR IT!

1. 
   dlb | Jan 30, 2005 02:01am | #9

   Piano movers would most likely be your best bet there.The Undisciplined Life Is Not Worth Examining.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 30, 2005 06:13pm | #13

   Long ago..  My Mother-In-Law had a piano.. Spinnete???  Well, three guys got out.

   Two of them about 300 pounds,, The OLD man was about 150 or so.. Picked up that piano with straps and got it into the basement all by himself! I guess the BIG guys there to get it off of him if he fell on the steps!

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 30, 2005 07:17pm | #14

   Getting a cabinet saw into a basement shouldn't be too bad. The top comes off and if it's a new saw, it might not even be attached when it's unpacked. If it is attached, four bolts undone removes it. Realigning it isn't very hard. The motor comes off and between the top, wings and motor, the cabinet saw base shouldn't be more than 200 lb. Getting it downstairs isn't the most fun you can have with your clothes on, but it's better than trying ot get the whole thing down there after it's assembled. get the mobile base on it, put the top, wings and motor on it, set it up and you're done. I have a Grizzly 1023S and since they couldn't have driven up my driveway with their semi, moving it from the street to my garage would have been as bad as picking it up at the terminal, which I did. Put it in my P/U truck and brought it home, Used a couple of 2x12's with a sheet of plywood for a ramp to get it out of the truck bed by myself. Very top heavy but no problem otherwise.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 02, 2005 07:34am | #15

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short." But three of the miters pretty good!

2. 
   highfigh | Feb 02, 2005 08:23am | #16

   It looked good on paper!
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

5. 
   rosasco | Feb 02, 2005 10:28am | #17

   Mike, I have the PM 64A with the 50" fence and the router lift that's less than
   a year old. Saw makes satin smooth cuts, has a very good fence, and it makes a lot
   of dust.

   I don't have a dust collector but am sure that the cabinet saws are easier to collect
   dust from with the closed base.

   If you simply can't get a cabinet saw in the basement or don't want to spend the
   money, let me know. I'm going to sell mine.

   Good luck.

   JR

1. 
   ChestnutWwking | Feb 02, 2005 10:59pm | #18

   JR,

   Is there a reason that you are selling this saw?

   What do you think that you would ask for the saw if you were going to sell it? Just curious.

   Thanks,

   Mike

2. 
   ChestnutWwking | Feb 08, 2005 06:21am | #19

   Hello!

   I was wondering if there was any reason for you wanting to sell your saw? 

   Let me know if you would be interested in selling and for how much.

   Feel free to email me at [email protected]

   Thanks,

   Mike