Replies

1. 
   BillBrennen | Sep 27, 2007 12:06pm | #1

   Yes, we got several PM 2000's at the college where I teach and they have had this problem. It seems to be cheapness of manufacture plus a not overly robust design to start with.

   Bill

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 27, 2007 07:30pm | #2

   JeeeezzzLouise, that'd tick me off royal!  Has the school (you?) been in touch with Powermatic?  Do we see a recall/repair-replace effort on the horizon????forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   sykesville | Sep 27, 2007 11:00pm | #3

   Precisely what I was getting at, Forestgirl. Otherwise I love the tablesaw dearly. I knew I couldn't be the only one with the problem. Thanks, Bill, for the input. Looking for more owners to weigh in.

   jack

2. 
   BillBrennen | Sep 28, 2007 08:29am | #5

   I don't know what communications have passed between the college and Powermatic. If I remember, I'll ask on Monday. Everyone likes the riving knife, but the start/stop switches have also been problematic.Bill

1. 
   sykesville | Sep 28, 2007 08:47am | #6

   Diz, please keep us posted on what the Powermatic rep says. Yes, it'll be a pita, I think, to replace the arbor. And Bill, look forward to what the school says. Unfortunately, I bought mine through Amazon. No dealer rep in the area. I want to write to Powermatic soon, as I don't want it to be completely unusable before I get it fixed. But I, too, had a good response when I first got my saw. One of the fence side panels was warped out of whack, and though it took about 2 weeks, I received a pair of panels in the mail with no problem.
   jack

2. 
   Diz | Sep 28, 2007 04:37am | #4

   Same here - mine has been in use about 10 mos.  I am planning to talk with the Powermatic rep at my dealers tool show next week.  I've had good response from the service center to date - found that the vacuum hose inside cabinet had a 4" split in it and I called and was sent a replacement.  Course I still had to do the install.

   That's why I was wondering about trying to get a new arbor lock - how much of a pita is it going to be to replace?

3. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 29, 2007 01:02am | #7

   Great post. I am sorry for your problems. Schools have a hard enough time getting money to purchase equipment and then no immediate reply from the manufacturer.

   I was seriously considering ordering a PM2000 next month. As this will be the last TS I get I want something 'nice' and at a reasonable cost. From reading this I now know that I will be getting a new saw but it will NOT be a Powermatic! For some reason I would have expected better service!

4. 
   1hardwood | Sep 29, 2007 01:06pm | #8

   I love my PM2000, but I have had to replace the little red arbor lock three times now in one year of ownership.  It is not fun fiddling with those little screws.  As stated, I love all other aspects of this saw but I had considered selling it and purchasing the Sawstop.  Powermatic's Cust. Service was excellent.  They actually sent me three extras.  I live in Hawaii so its hard to get anything in a timely manner!

   Aloha

1. 
   sykesville | Sep 29, 2007 02:17pm | #9

   Thanks, 1hardwood. I wonder if they are considering a new design, or at least a different material so that they don't have to be replaced so often. And plan to distribute to pm2000 owners. What about the arbor itself? Aren't the edges of the grooves rounding over like on mine?

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 29, 2007 05:49pm | #10

   What about the arbor itself? Aren't the edges of the grooves rounding over like on mine? Great question.I assumed the arbor was being damaged not the part that engages it.If that is true and the arbor is not damaged I may reconsider the purchase of the PM2000.Can you still use wrenches to take off the blade if you 'trash' the part that wears out? I could 'live' with that.

2. 
   1hardwood | Oct 03, 2007 07:34am | #11

   Have not noticed the arbor portion rounding, and yes you can just change the blade by using a piece of wood with the wrench.  Kind of a pain in the rear!  Still love the saw overall though!

   Aloha