Questions on OLDER Powermatic 66
I was driving down the road and saw a sign on a fabric store marquis (sp?) “Powermatic Tablesaw with Beismier Fence – $600”. I almost wrecked !!! I called the guy and said I’ll take it. We started talking and he was telling me how his dad had used it to build the shelves for the fabric store that his family owns and how it’s just sitting there getting dusty. As I’m trying to control my heart rate I ask him if he knows anything else about it. He says it’s a Model 66 and that’s all he knows; which is all I really needed to know anyway. Then I ask him if he knows how old it is…and he says “maybe 10 or 20 years old”, he isn’t sure.
Does that seem right? I know Poermatic has been around for a while, but 20 years with a beismier fence? Obviously it could be aftermarket fence.
Would yall have any hesitation about buying a saw that old? You hear about those saws being handed down for a couple of generations,etc. I’m just wondering if it’s too good to be true.
Any advice and/or deep breathing exercises would be appreciated.
Thanks,
KH
P.S. Allsion, if you’re lurking I left Texas and am back in Oregon.
Replies
I wouldn't think about it very long, you are not the only one that saw that sign. Age doesn't hurt a machine if it was a good machine to begin with and hasn't been mistreated. Look it over real good, check the blade shaft for slop and if it runs there can't be much wrong with it. I don't know if PM ever had a 3 phase motor or not but that's something else to check. The price is certainly good, sounds like you found Santa Claus.
God Bless and Happy Holidays
les
If it's green it older than 20 years. Any older saw should have an aftermarket fence. The Jetlocks are awful. It could be three phase but I'm betting it's not...just a hunch, check it out though. Sounds like a good deal.
Rick
Edited 12/12/2002 7:44:00 AM ET by rsl
Buy now, then go over it, If its not what youre looking for sell it
Okay, I went and bought the saw, thanks to the positive responses. It seems like it works fine. The only issue being the build up inside the saw. Apparently the only thing this guy cut was particle board and the several of the internal parts are covered in a layer of what looks to be particle board glue. I figure about a week of oven cleaner and scraping and I'll be good as new.
Thanks for the help.
Kelley Hamby
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