Powermatic PM1000 tablesaw machining quality
Hi All,
I just bought a Powermatic PM1000 tablesaw – a step above contractor saws and a step below the bigger cabinet shop saws after reading a recommendation in Fine Woodworking. Its about a $3000 saw, so not the most expensive but not exactly cheap. The bolt-on table extensions are machined surfaces of course, but are both warped about the thickness of a dime from one end to the other, and the main table surrounding the blade also has a dip in it just about the thickness of a dime to the right of the blade. I am amazed that their machine tolerances are so lax. I called them (mostly because one of the wing extensions was broken when I unboxed it and I need a replacement – which they will try to ship to me in few months…) and they said it’s normal to have some variation in the machining – as in I guess they don’t really worry much about that. Their Tech guy said just force the extensions into place and bolt it. I’m not sure I won’t break the castings doing this… I was wondering if this is the normal state of affairs with all American tools or if this was limited to Powermatic or if my copy is just a fluke. Anyone out there with experience in this type of thing? I used to use Powermatic in a commercial shipyard I worked in but I doubt I’d ever buy or recommend Powermatic to anyone after this. Thanks for any thought on any of this –
Mark
Replies
First of all it's not a made in America tool.. it's not even an American company. The last I knew it was a German holding company that owned Powermatic, Jet, Performax and some other stuff. I bought my model 66 almost 20 years ago and even then most of Powermatics line was offshore Asian. They probably still made the 66 in USA then because they were going to discontinue it for a new model ,which they did,and made in Asia. If you think you want to own good old reliable American old iron then you have to buy old iron. Every machine that I hear about there seems to be some flaw on arrival that has to be returned or replaced. The only saw that I hear good reports on build quality is a Sawstop, at least in the small shop tools or in the less than an arm and leg category. If my last of the old iron model 66 ever needs replaced I'd probably look at a Sawstop.
I don't know what the rules are anymore about origin of manufacture claims. I bought a Grizzly combo machine that they claimed was German designed made in USA. I bought it second hand but even found a video from when they introduced it at some tool show event, like maybe Atlanta and made that claim in the video. Well it's not made here ,probably no part came from here. Even the instructions are written by someone who thinks they know English (which come to think of it could have come from here) . Maybe, just maybe it was assembled in the US.
I guess that’s just the way it is these days - thanks for your thoughts.
thanks for your advice.
Chas Gentmantel in Montreal was where my father bought fine machinery in the 1960’s, he brought me with him and he negotiated a 9 inch DeWalt and a General band saw. Recently I went there, 55 some years later to buy a 4 foot length of graphite for my edge sander. I am sure the place has not changed a bit, except for the equipment on display. There was a Powermatic 20 inch planer with spiral cutterhead, since I have a 20 inch Craftex (read Grizzly) I compared the two, other than the yellow paint and higher price tag, they were the same machine.
You may consider having the tabletop resurfaced at a machine shop.
I’ll have to think about it - I’m not sure it will affect much but I guess I can try it and see how it works first. Thanks for the thought - greatly appreciated!
I’ll have to think about it - I’m not sure it will affect much but I guess I can try it and see how it works first. Thanks for the thought - greatly appreciated!
If the dip in the table is large then it might be grounds to return the machine - Does the US have consumer protection law? Elsewhere at least goods need to be 'fit for the purpose' and whilst a small shallow dip in a casting would make no difference, a broad one might affect the use of the table as a reference surface. If there is a risk of wood dipping into the hollow area then it's a problem, otherwise it's harmless.
One of the challenges with buying cheaper tools is often the effort you have to go to to improve the finish quality after market. I have found this with my band saw, which is a generic 14" re-badged. I don't find it with my better Hammer equipment, which is quite well finished out of the box. Still not perfect though, which is annoying given the price, but tolerances are way better than I would be able to appreciate.
Consumer protection? Whazzat?
Tools have warranties and sometimes that works. If something arrives broken they will probably honor that but when it's a flaw in manufacturing or design everything they have is what you already have..
Used to be we bought stuff from stores that were owned and operated by people and not some far off corporation. Stores that went out of their way to keep customers satisfied. Their reputation mattered to them. Now we buy on line or from someplace that tells you that YOU have to deal with the manufacturer if you have problems. " But I gave my money to you!"
i have recently purchased 3 new powermatic tools - drum sander, drill press and 24in bandsaw - all arrived in good shape and all have performed flawlessly, tolerances/finish/etc are all at least as good as my new hammer a341 or sawstop ics. speaking of sawstop, when powered-up for the first time it howled (obviously bad bearing), so zero testing at factory after assembly. sawstop support was good, shipped me a new motor overnight, but tellingly, did not want the faulty motor returned - so no interest in determining what exactly the problem was so no interest in preventing same prob in future.
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