I recently spent some energy, time, money and paint tuning up my 1966 model 81. It looks great with a new coat of paint and nice new urethane tires. I would like to replace the guides with Carter products guides but they don’t look like the ones on my saw. I dug up an owners manual and that doesn’t match what I see on my saw. Has anyone put the Carter replacement guides on a P’matic 81? Enclosed is a picture of the upper guide. I suspect the guide bar has been replaced and is off a different model saw.
Thanks.
Replies
Greetings,
The Powermatic 81 can indeed take Carter guides, the 500 series I think. I have the same model saw from about the same era, and it had one set of Carters on it when I got it...I plan on switching out the other set soon. Go to Carters website and they have a chart that can help you find the right model guides for your saw, or just email them from there with your questions. They have always been very helpful.
Brian
Thanks for the input. I think your'e right, I need to email Carter to make sure. The picture on the web site does not match my saw.
Salem, Oregon?? My sister lives there.
jbark, TX
Salem, NC. Actually Winston-Salem. The model 81 went through a design change or two. The most obvious is the deletion of the handwheel below the table that was the trunnion lock and the placement of a dust port in this location. I think this occurred in the early to mid 70's, when they switched to the dark green paint with white stripes from the earlier light green paint on my era saw in the 60's. Enjoy the saw, the older Powermatic 81 saws are considered some the best of the steel-framed saws, at least once the guides are upgraded!
Brian
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