Ok, as anybody who’s been paying attention knows, the two table saws listed above enjoy huge followings and are recommended by many. However, table saw discussions around here seem to quickly stray into an exchange of spec sheets – sometimes a useful exercise, but not what I’m after.
I’m pretty sure I’d be happy with either of these machines, but I want to know, from owners (past, present or future) – what specific qualities about seeing, touching, and using gave you that “I’ve just bought an awesome machine/tool” feeling. Yeah, you know the feeling I’m talking about…!
And yes, feel free to tell me why the model you picked is “better”, just please concentrate on those aspects that I can’t get (or would be very hard pressed to get) from the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
Thanks in advance to all who reply!
P.S. Is the General as robust and sturdy to the touch as the Powermatic? I’ve always wondered about that.
Replies
Hi Ethan. I have not used either saw and seeing as how I live in Canada the Powermatic is not generally available [ha, ha]. I have looked at the General saw and is definitely going to be my next saw. I spoke with a large dealer of Delta, King and General tools [Powermatic on special order] about the General cabinet saw with the Bise fence. He said that all of the fences are shimmed square at the factory and the saw comes 100% accurate. He also showed me where the table is shimmed to the cabinet for perfect accuracy and lastly showed me the miter gauge slot measured with a digital caliper. The 3/4" slot measured at .751", that is pretty accurate in my books. So if Powermatic where commonly available for me [and a lot less money] I would definitely look into them but with the dollar exchange it is no contest. Hope this helps. Peter
I have no experience of powermatic but all 3 of our general saws have been excellent 2 are 20 years old and used constantly Todate 2 sets of bearings,1 cetrifugal switch and belts every 5 or 6 years.They are used extreamely hard most days.One bies stopped locking after someone dropped some steel on the lock and dented the box beam.I would never buy any other brand even to get saw stop!
Ethan,
I use to own the General 14" planer before I bought my MM machines.
All I can say is the General equipment is made beautifully. I also owned a
Unisaw and PM 60 (the real USA one) jointer and even though they were
also made well the General was just better. It performed flawlessly and the
fit and finish were amazing. I went through many hoops to find the USA made
PM60 when I did. Even though "they" say the PM66 is made in the USA, I heard
conflicting info on where all the parts are made. I do believe by law if a certain portion
of a product is made in the USA or assembled in the USA the "Made in the USA"
sticker can be put on it. Along those lines I would not want to support an Asian made
product because of what that area of the world has done to our industries here.
IMHO buy the ALL CANADIAN MADE General because of the way it is made and where
it is made.
"Along those lines I would not want to support an Asian made product because of what that area of the world has done to our industries here..."So you went out and bought Mini Max machines??? Do you know exactly where Mini Max is made? Of course you do! I don't think the U.S. government is collecting much tax revenue from non-English speaking SCM employees! Long live xenophobia in America!
"I don't think the U.S. government is collecting much tax revenue from non-English speaking SCM employees! "
NO, the U.S. government is collecting much tax revenue directly from the scm company (not the employees) .. it is callled import tariffs and it is why a VW costs more than a ford.
Yes you are correct. I'm being fesitious.
Thnaks for the thoughts on the *saws*!Please don't highjack the thread and turn it into a tax/tarriff debate - there are more appropriate places in this forum for such a discussion. Again, thanks for replying!
My apologies. I don't mean to insult anyone.
Ethan
I own and use a 66 every day. I've seen the Generals at the Woodcraft, locally. Never used one. The powermatic is an outstanding choice in this price range. Fit and finish are great, although I did have to mess with the extension wings a bit to get them flat without using shims. (I spent about 6 hours filing them with stones and a bastard file, my choice.) Now, it's dead flat, according to my engineers straight edge that I over paid for, and, if ever need be, I can shave using it as a mirror, because the top is polished. The trunnion is massive, and I've had no problems with the fence, or any of the other working components.
I replaced a unisaw, simply because I just had to have the 66, and it was a very good choice. I feel like I own the best damn cabinet saw out there in this price range. If I bought the General, I think I would have always wondered about the 66 for a few extra bucks.
Jeff
Thank you all very much for your replies - I have found them enlightening and exactly along the lines I was hoping for!!What a great forum!
these saw are the same.. what color do you like??
Seriously though, you should consider where you can purchase locally.
This is the best non bias advice you will get...
I have the general but it doesnt matter which saw you get it matters who you buy it from.
If you have a good shop who tunes the machine before you get it you will be best off.
if you order it and have it shipped you will have to dial everything in yourself and if something is not to your satisfaction you will have a pain in the A getting a new machine.
If you get it from a shop you dont have to worry.j
Either saw would be very welcome in my shop. The General is my dream saw. I prefer the smooth faces on the General fence. The UHMW faces on the PM and other similar fences can be wavy and require shimming or planing smooth.
I also like that the General's cast iron parts are cast in their own foundary in Canada. General is still a family run business, and has great personalized CS. PM has great service too, but I really like the personal touch of General.
If you take a look at the trunnions, you'll see that the General is beefier under the hood.
Last and certainly not least, Wood Mag picked the General 650 over the PM in their October 2003 cab saw show down. The PM had some arbor problems that caused scoring during heavy cuts. PM sent them a second machine. Incidentally, the Jet had the same problem....Jet and PM are owned by the same company.
Good luck and enjoy the search!
I've used Unisaw's and PM 66's at shops I've worked at and have spent considerable time checking out the General 650. imho all three are excellent saws but I consider the General the best built of the bunch. The cabinet seems to use a heavier gauge steel than the PM or Uni and the cast iron wings are factory mounted and were dead flush even on every example I've looked at.
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