I picked up the Powermatic PM2000 about 3 weeks ago but have just gotten around to taking a few photos.
I’ve been really impressed with the overall quality, fit and finish of the saw. The manual is excellent and the tool was a joy to assemble and set up. Everything fit just the way it’s supposed to, no filing, cutting or drilling required. The only hard part was getting in down my basement stairs.
The built in, retractable casters are great. With 4 swivel casters you can move it anywhere, a lot easier than steering with 2 swivel and 2 fixed wheels. Also, when the wheels are retracted you have that solid feel of cast iron on concrete.
What really surprised me was how good the DC is on this saw. I was thinking I would get an overhead DCing guard but I’m not sure I will need one. There is a shroud around the under side of the blade which is directly connected to the DC outlet on the back of the cabinet. So far its done a great job of sucking everything down so very little is coming off the top of the blade.
Replies
Wow, what a gorgeous monster it is! I envy you the saw. I've just started my New Table Saw Fund, seeded with $700 I got for the little Inca saw recently restored. Question: Can the blade guard be removed without disturbing the riving knife? I'd like to stick with my overhead blade guard.
Yes, the guard and/or pawls can be removed without removing the riving knife. You can also get a low profile riving knife for blind cuts. I've attached some photos to show the various configurations. All the changes can be made in a few seconds without any tools.
What kind of things do you plan on making with it?
Most of the projects I have in mind are pieces of furniture, however, I am also planning to make a bass guitar.
Hopefully Laguna takes note of the process you went through in choosing a saw. They should be embarrassed.
PT,
I am also planning to make a bass guitar.
Need any routing templates for a Precision Bass?
Lee
Hey Lee,
Wow! Where did you get those?
For this project I'm going to be making a an SG (like Jack Bruce used to play back in the day). I already have an American made Gibson re-issue of the 60's model but I want to make a fretless version. I found a nice chunk of mahogany for the body at the local exotic wood store. Photo attached.
If this works out I may try a P-Bass in the future.
Cheers,
Paul
Thanks so much for the extra pictures, PT. Greatly appreciated.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Seriously, how did you get that thing into the basement? You and how many NFL linemen?
Chris
Actually it was just 2 of us. Me and my son (who is a college football linebacker).
I broke open the crate on the back of my truck, took the extensions and accessories out and still couldn't move it. So, I took the table off (making sure the mark the shims) and we were able to lift it down to my garage floor. It still weighs about 400 lbs without the table. Once on the floor we took it off the skid, extended the built in casters and rolled it to the top of the stairs.
We went down the stairs, one at a time, with my son going first and supporting the saw between moves by putting his foot up a couple of stairs and resting the saw on his thigh. From above I hooked a nylon tow strap under the base, wrapped it over my shoulders and lifted with my legs. Luckily there is only 10 steps from the garage to the basement, if there had been 11 we would have been in trouble. If I did it again I would have 4 people so we could work in shifts. Even though we both workout regularly it was exhausting and we both had a few bruises and a lot of sore muscles.
Once on the basement floor the wheels made it easy to get into the shop.
If I ever have to take it out of there I'm going to pull out the stairs, build a temporary post and beam frame and use a block and tackle to lift it up to the garage floor level.
Cheers,
Paul
where does he play?
"From above I hooked a nylon tow strap under the base, wrapped it over my shoulders and lifted with my legs."When I read that all I could picture was a fellow with his leg caught in the anchor rope when he throws the anchor overboard. I'm sure glad the saw didn't get away from you.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
PT,
Congratulations! I have the same saw, purchased about a year ago and I'm still thrilled, having upgraded from Jet contractor's saw. It is so vibration free that I was able to easily cut through a maple board with a nickel balanced in its edge and the nickle did not fall over. And in my tiny shop I need to move the saw when crosscutting anything that extends past the left table (due to a support beam) - but the integrated casters make it a piece of cake. I know what you maen about getting it down the stairs though - I had nightmares about it :)
Have fun!
John L
Nice saw. Though I have decided on the SawStop, yours was my initial choice. The thing that keeps killing me is that I could almost get your saw and a PM Lathe for the price of the SS. I too will be bringing my saw down to the basement. My plan was to strap it to a heavy hand truck (1000 lbs. rating) that has stair rockers. And take it down with one or two assistants one stair at a time. I am contemplating tacking up a track down the center of the stairs of 3/4" ply with room on either side for stepping. In theory, this would allow us to roll it right down the stairs. Or even slide it down the track right in the box...assuming I can get that through the doorway.
Well they would have to attach a reasonable machine to those hand wheels.(;).
Hi PT, Well I plan on ordering the PM200 on Thursday or Fridaay...Wheee! CANNOT wait!
My only concern, and no real biggie as how often do you have to move it, is that I have rear and heard that lowering the casters is a (*&%#. Is it?
I have also read that they are going to correct that in near future which makes me think about waiting...oh who am I kidding.
How hard is it to crank them down?
I went today to the local PM dealer and fell in love. I was even impressed with the miter gauge even tho I intend to use my Osborne. Maybe not tho if it proves as solid as it appeared today. And you can order an extension for it as well.
So, you're lovong it? Any problems so far, big or teeny tiny? Really need to know.
Thanks, Brian
I'm also about to order the griz GO609 12" jointer.....Life ain't bad right about now!
Are you buying a saw or a car?
Ya, that was a sort of disjointed post. Getting the PM2000 TS. My only concern, and it wont stop my ordering it believe me, is I've heard it's tough to lower the casters. A real workout. Is it that hard? I have arthritis so it's a concern. Of course I won't be moving it around all that much. Just curious.
Thanks, Brian
I think JohnWW posted something about the casters recently, I'll see if I can find it.
Hey thanks! Appreciate it. Brian
My shop is small so the saw stays against the wall when it's not in use and gets moved to the centre of the shop when I am using it so I would say that I move it a lot more often than most people would. I also don't like to leave it sitting on the casters so I always retract the casters after moving the saw. I have found it fairly easy to raise and lower the casters and, once it's up on the casters the saw moves much more easily than any of my other tools which are on mobile bases. I usually just crouch in front of the saw and use one hand to operate the handwheel. It might be a good idea to visit a dealer that has a saw on display and try it out for yourself. I hope this helps.
Thanks. I was at the dealer a few days ago but didn't try lowering the casters. I know the guy there and he told me whenever someone wants it lowered he gets his young able bodied guy to do it! I'm probably making a bigger deal of this then is neccesary. It won't be moved often at all anyway.
Thanks again, Brian
It's probably more about having to work in a crouched position or on your knees than it is the actual effort of turning the crank.
-Steve
I can handle that I think! Money is there now and I place my order in the morning. YaHoo!
Thx for the reply,
Brian
Brian,
I had heard that soem early PM2000s had a problem with the casters but it has been rectified. I got mine over a year ago and it's great. My shop is small and I have to move the saw whenever I am cutting a long board. It's really easy to lower the casters, then the saw moves around with hardly any effort at all. Raising the casters is easy too. As I recall, the 1st time I lowered the casters it seemed to be a pain but once you get the knack it's a piece of cake.
Enjoy - you will NOT be disappointed!!
John L
Thanks John, Good to hear. The money is in place and I place my order in the morning...YES!!!
Thx for the reply, Brian
Had mine about a year now & very pleased. My biggest peave is the lack of a blade brake - the blades' like an energizer bunny on steriods when you hit the stop button. I post a comment on this when the topic comes up in the hope that someday, somehow the Powermatic folks would see this & maybe look into adding that feature. Any other PM2000 users think this would be a welcome change?
Man, you're not kidding that would be a nice feature. I just look at that small amount of time waiting for the blade to come to a complete stop before I get anywhere near the work piece or cutoff as a great time to practice a little patience.
Thanks my friend,
Brian
wow, so shiny and clean.......
not for long :)
Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!
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