drzaius Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 I want a new table saw. I now have a 20 yr old Jet contractor saw that is & has been an excellent tool, but is deficient in a couple of areas. Dust collection is spotty, even with a cover on the back end that just has the necessary openings for the belt, motor bracket etc. It also has no riving knife, something that I think would be a really good thing to have. It has a 52" Beismeyer fence, which is a great fence, but it's longer than I want & I can't bring myself to cutting it down. I've looked at a lot of saws; General, Laguna, Steel City, Saw Stop & a few others. It seems like a lot of otherwise good, moderately priced cabinet saws have fences that are not so great, with more flex than I like. Haven't actually seen a Powermatic in the flesh, but I've read some good things about the PM1000. It has the specs I'm looking for at a price that fits. To those that have seen or used one, how is the fence? And are there any other things I should know about it, good or bad? Thanks for your help. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 I have the larger size PM, but as far as I know the fence is the same for both models. It's very good imo. I haven't noticed any flex, when it locks it stays put and is easy to adjust on initial setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks. That's good to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Frank, do you have 220v? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I have 120 & 240V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 While I don't have one, I'm rather partial to the idea of a saw stop. I've used one and it was really smooth. I love the urethane wheel on the upgraded fence, it's smooth, holds tight, has a good riving knife, good dust collection. If I were buying a new saw that's the direction I'd go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 If you're going to make a change, I'd take the jump to a 3hp cabinet saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I was looking at the PM1000 and ended up buying the Grizzly G0715P and have been super happy with it. However, I'm limited to 110 power and that doesn't seem to be an issue for you. If money isn't a huge issue, then it's hard to go wrong with the PM2000 or the Sawstop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 +1 to 3HP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customwood montrose Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 From what I've seen from the Sawstop, go with that one. As soon as we can we are going to switch out a larger 3 phase cabinet saw to a Sawstop model. I have used Powermatic model 64, 66 and 72, never any of the new pm1000 or 2000 though. The safety features on the Sawstop make it really hard to compare it to ones that have the same of everything else. Go with the biggest motor you can run, you won't regret it when you are hogging out a 3/4 x 3/4 dado. Dustin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 My old saw is 1.5 HP but I haven't had a need for much more. But more is always good. Saw Stop is nice, but soooooo expensive. How do Grizzly & Powermatic compare with regards to quality, features & finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 The PM is a nicer saw any way you look at it. However, at 3 times the price, it's certainly not 3 times the saw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 The seductive siren song of more power is certainly alluring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Just checking prices for the PM2000 & the SawStop & they're pretty close. SawStop is very nice but how does the PM2000 compare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Safety feature is the biggest difference.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Apples to apples, the SawStop is only about $350 more for the 3 HP models. On the 1.75 HP versions the spread is over $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sawstop? What did they do 10 years ago? Practiced safe woodworking and kept their fingers away from the blade. Am I being old fashioned, or is it that great? Just wonder how many nubbins it has prevented? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customwood montrose Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sawstop? What did they do 10 years ago? Practiced safe woodworking and kept their fingers away from the blade. Am I being old fashioned, or is it that great? Just wonder how many nubbins it has prevented? I know of a pro cabinet guy who just last month cuts off three fingers on one hand. They reattached them but pretty useless from what I've heard. What is it worth to insure that is very unlikely to happen to you? Keeping apples to apples, I will take the Sawstop every time. I don't work for them so don't think I am a salesmen for them. Dustin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Quite honestly, the safety aspect of the SawStop is not that big of a thing to me. I'm pretty confident in my ability to keep my parts attached (touch wood). But it does seem like a very well built machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I was really hoping this thread didn't go down this rabbit hole.. It's been covered here a bunch. There are fans of the technology as well as old school folks.. Live and let live. To answer the OP's question, the main difference between the 2 saws is the safety technology and a couple hundred bucks. They are both very nice saws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Thanks for that TIODS. I also was hoping to not get into that oft repeated debate. I've already resolved those issues for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sorry Kev. Didn't mean to take it there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customwood montrose Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sorry if this has been beating a dead horse. Dustin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sorry Kev. Didn't mean to take it there No worries bud.. Your point is valid, as is the counter point.. I'd just hate to see the thread derailed to rehash old debates.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Brief comment is worth the mention. It places a value on the price of the brake. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.