Replies

1. 
   SEBDESN | Jan 18, 2005 08:15pm | #1

   Bite the proverbial bullet, you won't be sorry...IMHO...

2. 
   Peter36 | Jan 19, 2005 05:17am | #2

   Have you looked into a General? Just a thought.

3. 
   BenA | Jan 19, 2005 04:06pm | #3

   At least in 20 years you can still say you have an American made saw. Who knows if you could still by American made products in 20 years of this quality. Good luck. BTW its a GREAT choice of a table saw.

4. 
   CajunDan | Jan 22, 2005 12:55am | #4

   Hi, Jay

   Last year, I was in the market for a Unisaw. The local shop was having a moving sale. They did not have a Unisaw, but they had a PM66 for what I expected to pay for the Unisaw.

   I bought it, and love it. I think if I had bought the Uni, I would always wonder what I had missed.

   FWIW,

   Dan

1. 
   jaypoe | Jan 22, 2005 02:14am | #5

   I have pretty much decided on the Powermatic 66. Now its just where from (who from). Not many great deals on them. Could by online for $100 less, no tax and wait for 2+ weeks for shipping or buy local and pick it up that day for $100 more and pay state sales tax. It is likley that I will need it soon and opt for the latter.

1. 
   CajunDan | Jan 26, 2005 09:39pm | #9

   Jay,

   I don't think you will regret the decision. Price was less a problem for me - because of the moving sale, I got the PM66 w 30" fence for about $1600 incl. tax. That is what I was prepared to spend anyway on the Uni. (With a 50" fence).

   There have been questions raised whether the differences justify the price, so last weekend I went back to Woodcraft to look closer at the X5 Unisaw. The Delta is a great machine, no doubt. But everything was just a slightly little bit better on the Powermatic. The lift mechanism is smoother. The cast iron is thicker. But the main thing I noticed was that the Powermatic Accufence is smoother, taller, and has a better cursor than the Bies. fence.

   I also looked at the Jet saw. It had a better fit/finish than Delta but not as smooth as the Powermatic, but I like to buy American when I can afford to.

   I guess it is like comparing a Toyota to a Lexus. Both are very fine dependable cars, but the Lexus has a certain quality.

   Regards,

   Dan

2. 
   DrChops | Jan 22, 2005 08:17pm | #6

   hi,cajun dan wrote:
   "I think if I had bought the Uni, I would always wonder what I had missed."
   and that prompts my question: what are the advantages of the PM66 over the delta L31X?i've had a craftsman contractors saw for several years now, but i'm finding that it's not a very good saw. i'm getting increasingly unhappy with it, and want to upgrade to a cabinet saw. i can get the delta for $1650 (plus tax) locally, but the PM costs $2500 (plus tax). that's a very hefty difference, plus, the delta comes with a lot of extras right now. i've never seen a review of cabinet saws that "gets into the details" (accuracy, runout, flatness of tables, adjustability of trunions, etc.).it seems the PM66 is generally thought to be a better saw, but why?many thanks,
   bertif it's worth doing at all, then it's worth doing well.

1. 
   jaypoe | Jan 22, 2005 11:13pm | #7

   My understanding is that the Powermatic trunion is build heavier and the top is also build a bit heavier and milled a little nicer. The arbor is 3/4" milled down to 5/8" at the thread. I would check your prices again. I am coming up with a difference of around $400 when compaired to the Unisaw. I would also consider the General saw. It have read good things about that saw also. Not sure why I am not giving it greater consideration. I have heard that parts might be more difficult to get in the US. Not sure I believe that to be the truth.

5. 
   RickL | Jan 26, 2005 05:47pm | #8

   Bought my PM 66 years ago when it was the only left tilt option besides a craftsman. Now after 35 years of woodworking/machine repair I wouldn't do it again. I'd consder a Grizzly but my real preference would be a slider like a Rojek, Kufo, Robland, Minimax etc. The PM 66 isn't that different overall from any other cabinet saw. The real difference is the quality of the operator in the long run.

6. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 28, 2005 02:03am | #10

   Jay

   I sold my Unisaw 2 years ago, and bought a 66.  The 66 is a much nicer and heavier saw, with a heavier trunnion, a flatter top, that comes polished like a mirror.  I believe it to be a much better saw, and you won't regret the $400 in the long or short run, as soon as you start using it.

   Jeff

1. 
   Aaron1996 | Jan 28, 2005 05:29am | #11

   The Uni doesn't even compare to the 66.  I have 3 tablesaws in my shop and only use the uni's if the 66 is in use.  The is less vibration, its easliy adjustable and just plain smoother to set up and use.  As for the fence, I was skeptical to get the powermatic accufence with it, but its the best fence that I have ever used.  It really makes the Beisy feel inferior, and I have to admit even that is a huge step in from some fences.  The cam lock adjusts smoothly and stays where put. 

    We have 3 phase, so we went with their 3 phase model, the 5hp.  Its definately overkill but I don't think that they offer 3hp 3ph. Anyway, price is soon forgotten, so get the best you can afford.

7. 
   rosasco | Feb 02, 2005 10:10am | #12

   Jay, just 2 cents. The Powermatic seems like $400 more saw to me.
   The mechanism is smoother, the table top is ground like a mirror,
   and it's built heavier duty.

   Try and get a look inside of the two machines before deciding.
   I'd guess 2 or 3 years of "I shoulda's" well make up for the 400.