Replies

1. 
   JVeillon | Feb 17, 2003 09:03pm | #1

   If I'm not mistaken the 63 had sheet metal table extensions as opposed to the 64 that has all cast iron.   You could upgrade it if that is the case.   I had a 64A and it was a great saw.   I made improvements to it for Dust Collection.  I you get this saw and are interested email me.

   John

   <A HREF="http://www.craftsman-furniture.com//" target="_new">My Web Site</A>

2. 
   alias | Feb 17, 2003 09:46pm | #2

   believe this or not ... i wrote an article in the journal of light construction about this same saw in 1991 it's genesis was i wanted to buy a first time saw that had some capabilities that the big cabinet saw's had. but i couldnt at the time afford the the 66 or the uni-saw. and the powermatic artisan line was out and wanted some direction and advice. and called taunton and got a pretty definite -no sorry -none here-. and than figured i'd call the journal of light construction and talked to a guy named clayton dekorne( sorry clayton for any misspelling) and he was accessable and pretty nice and said to me listen we've tried to get a model 63 but they werent budging and sorry , than an hour later got another call from clayton and he said listen if you buy the saw , would you think about writing an article. and if it's any good we have some editor take a look see , and if we go for it we'll send you i believe if memory serves 200.00 bucks to write the article. so i bought it wrote it they cleaned it up a little and they printed it. personally i'm a better carpenter/woodworker than i am a writer.so anyhow short story long..... here's my take

   when i first bought it, i like the saw had some beef to it, i bought the wheels and the auxiliary push mechanism that slides on the two outside top edges of the fences. and had ample power for the time and was pretty happy at the time with cast iron extensions.... now after 12-13 years here the some hind sight experiances and observations let me tell you i'm a restoration carpenter and have used the saw on lots of jobs but moving the saw everytime i had to realign the fence and more often than not the saw blade to the miter slot which means realgning the trunnion a BIG P.I.T.A. after three years of use the trunnion cracked and the pressure pin for height adjustment was losted. that was a minor fix a year later the dado got sloppy, tighten everything up it got better, but i wouldnt saycabinet qualiuty with out a tuneup(the dado). but was still cuitting good straight, bevel cuts. than the employees started using it . and six years on top of the six i've prefaced on. this thing is tired and sit's in a corner, i kind of have a sentimental attachment to it . but is truly beatup i could sink 300-400- and bring it up to job site use quality . last month i bought a uni-saw and i'm humbled by what i've been missing out on. i've bought a dewalt yellow thing with the rack-n- pinioin fence for on the job but new(dewalt) i'd still use the "ole"powermatic over the dewalt.

   finally check the fence for alignment, vega is a work horse for that model and i like it. i'm VERY weary of the trunnion and that whole mechanism which attachs itself to the table top. at first i liked it, within a few years it steadly declined by bits and pieces. the adjustments are all pretty shot on mine check the condition of A L L MECHANISMS, no missing teeth etc,. smooth up and down side movement .again if you are going to constantly move this saw i would be stand-offish. but if it is handled by you and you alone stationary it will be a good saw for a couple years till you out grow it. which happens quickly. how about saving for the 66 or the uni-saw. those will outlast you with the right maintenance, and care . well hoped i helped....goodluck... bear

   ---- look at the jet with that discerning eye-----

   Edited 2/17/2003 1:48:59 PM ET by the bear

   
   

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   Edited 2/17/2003 1:51:43 PM ET by the bear

1. 
   batorok | Feb 17, 2003 10:20pm | #3

   Thanks for the info, and opinions.  I'd love to just jump in and buy a unisaw, but I really haven't tackled much woodworking at all and don't want to sink tons of $ into it if I don't like it.  I definitely would be using it only in my garage, no job-site moving.  Right now I have an aluminum topped full size craftsman contractor saw with a stock fence, fine for rough carpentry but useless for furniture.  I thought about just upgrading the fence, but aftermarket fences are no bargain, it's almost half the cost of a better saw.  I'm also in a one car garage, so a 400lb unisaw would be a tight fit, plus I'd have to pay someone to put in a 220 circuit for the garage...

   Maybe I'm approaching this the wrong way- are there any projects I could do without a table saw?  I'm most interested in bookcases, nightstands, tables, useful sort of furniture projects for around the house.   I have a nice router, drill press, two hand drills, circular and jig saw... things I need are chisels, decent hand saws, and some planers I think...

1. 
   alias | Feb 17, 2003 10:34pm | #4

   learn to be profiecient on the saw, look at the jet that craftsman will be more of a determent than any thing else. one other point woodworking is very satisfying for me . but alas not a casual hobby, make a jump for a jet or even 63 and have fun, challenge yourself. you wont be sorry...... bear

2. 
   BG | Feb 18, 2003 01:46am | #5

   Batorok,

   "Maybe I'm approaching this the wrong way- are there any projects I could do without a table saw? "

   Hell yes, you don't require a table saw for any of those projects.  Using a  few power tools, set-up bench, a few jigs and saw horses you can build all that stuff.  It will take a bit more space and more time...you'll need to measure very accurately ..but other than that it is all doable.

   Is it cheaper to do it that way than buying a cabinet saw like a Grizzly?..I don't think so ..not in the long run. Many of us have made the mistake of starting off with the cheap so see if we were really interested.  It works if all you want to do is work with plywood.   

3. 
   Turbo | Feb 18, 2003 02:30am | #6

          Both of the models are nice for starting out in woodwork if the price is right, and the saws are in better or best condition.  You can make a bad fence better by measuring from the fence to the miter slot, from both ends of the fence, while gradually tightening the fence down to tight.  Then clamp it to your table if the fence isn't sturdy enough or you need precision for repeated cuts.  You can check for blade squareness / parallelness similarly.  The above threads are most useful in better evaluating it.  Or you could hire an experienced repairman to look it over before buying it.

          If you live in city where the populaion is large enough for various ads in the Classifieds' "Machinery" portion of the newspaper, and you have enough patience, you will find brand new tablesaws, jointers, planers, scrollsaws, etc. for sale that people buy and never use for various reasons.  Moreover, there are a number of "used" selections available.

          Your higher quality saws allow you more precision at a quicker rate or speed of work.  They are also more reliable and durable.   I'd place these on your Wish List once you fall in love with woodworking, unless you come across one in the meantime at the right right price . . . .  

          It you will take the time to separate your "wants" from your "needs," then use your "desire" to find the table saw in any number of ways.  Half the fun is getting there.  The other half is using it to build what you want. 

1. 
   alias | Feb 18, 2003 04:56am | #7

   great points, i bow to your insight... bear

1. 
   Turbo | Feb 18, 2003 06:42am | #8

          God Bless, we are all in it together!