Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Nov 01, 2007 09:44pm | #1

   The green Powermatics are older, they changed over to gold sometimes in the early 80's.  In 1999 the company was bought by Jet and they have been moving production to Asia ever since.

   John White

   
   

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   Edited 11/1/2007 3:01 pm ET by JohnWW

1. 
   dMusick | Nov 01, 2007 10:07pm | #2

   Thanks, I'm looking at two model 1200 drill presses, one is gold and one green, the green one is in better condition. If I go ahead and get one I just wanted to be sure there isn't any known quality differences from the two different production periods.

2. 
   Vic Damone | Nov 02, 2007 03:02am | #3

   So there are three colors of PowerMatic equipment: green, metallic gold, and baby puke (sorry, I honestly don't know what to call that color )? Do any of colors indicate Made In The USA?Vic

1. 
   mike_b | Nov 02, 2007 03:09am | #4

   <<Do any of colors indicate Made In The USA?>>Vic,I have a metallic gold 66 that I purchased about 20 years ago. It is American made. At the time, Powermatic also had the Artisan (contractor's saws etc.) series which I believe was made off shore -- perhaps Taiwan.Mike

2. 
   JohnWW | Nov 02, 2007 04:08pm | #5

   The green tools were all made before any production was moved overseas.

   John W.

3. 
   ETG | Nov 02, 2007 05:24pm | #6

   They wern't bought by Jet - they were purchased by the Walter Meier Holding based in Zurich.  WMH had already purchased Jet and Wilton and put them both in the same "stable" - the WMH Tool Group.  Then WMH purchased Powermatic after it languished for a month or so, essentially shut down.  And Powermatic joined the WMH Tool Group as a separate entity (separate p & l) from Jet and Wilton.  Jet never had the wherewithall to do a purchase - and the original owners jumped when WMH made the offer to buy them.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 04, 2007 06:34pm | #7

   Zurich Those Swiss have a hand into everything..My Sister-In-Law works for Zurich.. They are REALLY a good company (what I know)..AND my Sister-In-Law takes no nonsense from anybody!EDIT: OK.. So I took her to her Prom in my 1961? A 1962 Corvette.. SO she is sort of lenient with me...Edited 11/4/2007 10:40 am by WillGeorge I messed up.. based in Zurich NOT based in Zurich Insurance but may be the same thing!

   Edited 11/4/2007 10:47 am by WillGeorge

2. 
   woodenhead | Nov 05, 2007 03:30pm | #8

   Does Powermatic make a 7 1/2 hp saw with a scoring blade if so is it still in production and where can you buy it.

1. 
   ETG | Nov 05, 2007 04:57pm | #9

   Don't really know - haven't kept up with their products.  Check out their web site.  If I was in the market for the machine you describe, I would probably look at "old iron" - lots of good bargins out there in 3 phase - and the price of phase converters has come down considerably.

1. 
   woodenhead | Nov 05, 2007 05:21pm | #10

   Thanks, I checked their web site no saw like that.

2. 
   JerryPacMan | Nov 06, 2007 02:07am | #11

   In the Industrial Woodworking catalog they have a HPS126 7.5 HP slider with scoring.  It is a monster with a 126" slider stroke and weighs 2500 lbs.  Call 800.274.0144 for more info. 

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .