Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 08, 2003 08:24pm | #1

   Don't know about quality differences, but there certainly are design differences between like tools.  The extra-long table, for instance, in the 54A, which accounts at least partially for the price difference.  Cabinet saws have some noticeable differences also. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Jimma | Mar 08, 2003 11:49pm | #2

   Many Powermatic tools are made in the good ol' USA in McMinnville, TN. The Taiwanese tools are their "Artisan" line. Why not talk to a Jet or PM rep and find out from the source? Woodcraft can also be of help.

3. 
   tbhs1964 | Mar 09, 2003 01:27am | #3

   PM has an industrial line which includes the PM 66, PM 72 and some shapers and drill presses.  These large machines are no longer made in the McMinniville plant.  Since being sold, these items are still made in the USA, but in laVergne,TN.

   PM66 is the best.  Jet is aclone of the Unisaw.

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 09, 2003 04:36am | #4

   LaVergne is basically a distribution center (two of my distributors are there). Did PM move their manufacturing there? Where are they doing their proprietary casting now? I take it the McMinnville plant is still in operation for their industrial line, which includes a lot of machines that have nothing to do with woodworking?

1. 
   tbhs1964 | Mar 09, 2003 05:11am | #5

   Thecasting plant has been sold.   I spoke to the manager, Al Dorsey.  The old plant has been abandoned due to environmental clean up issues.  The new plant still in TN makes all the castings.  In fact , many of the machinists are the old employees.  The foundary is still in mcMiniville but not the old site.  I have the phone number for

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 09, 2003 07:20pm | #6

   Thanks for the update. I guess every company is facing the dual problems of EPA specs and market conditions. I keep thinking of PM like it was when I got a cook's tour of their main plant in McMinnville five or six years ago. It was very impressive. Hadn't known until then that they made so much agricultural and industrial stuff. Their entry into the woodworking field was fairly late. I have their PM-66 and surface planer. The planer is sort of generic to a bunch of others all made in Taiwan, but the saw is a gem.they were always known for the quality of their castings. Jim

1. 
   tbhs1964 | Mar 09, 2003 08:07pm | #7

   The saw is great.  The machining on the Unisaw is too inconsistent.  I don't know why everyone buys the Unisaw over the PM66.  The cost is not that different if you look around for a sale or bargain.  Over the life of the machine, the cost difference will be small.

   The Unisaw is good, but the company has cut corners to make it competitive in pricing with the Jet , PM66 and grizzly lines.  The Unisaw castings are rough and crudely finished.  The cabinet is thin guage sheet metal and the motor is no longer a Baldor.  They use marathon which is cheaper and of lesser quality.  There have been problems with the switches and loose wire problems.  I don't need that kind of heade when paying $2000 for a saw.

2. 
   riverr1 | Mar 09, 2003 08:15pm | #8

   Your comparison of the Uni and 66 may be correct, but why does everyone excuse how sloppy the trunion action of the 66 is? It's terrible.

   Don

3. 
   Jimma | Mar 09, 2003 09:28pm | #9

   Mine isn't. Call customer service.

4. 
   tbhs1964 | Mar 09, 2003 10:18pm | #10

   The trunnions on the PM66 are the smoothest in its class.  The one at your dealer must be out of alignment.  There is virtually no slop or back lash on the PM trunnion.  The same can't be said about the Unisaw.