Unisaw vs PM 66

[Rich P]

A used "newer" (gold) Powermatic 66 showed up for a reasonable price ($800) with a Bessy fence. I've been on the hunt for a used Unisaw but have not found the right deal as yet (and there is no hurry for me on this). I do like the left tilt on the PM unit as well as the Bessy.

What are the opinions here (pros and cons) regarding the "classic" Unisaw vs the PM 66? (I did look for a thread on this before posting this question.)

[sweensdv]

Personally, I don't own either of these saws you're talking about but I doubt if I'd find anything wrong with either one if I did. I think this is one of those cases that would be a win win no matter which you choose.

[Whaler]

My TS is a DW746 but I do have a Powermatic 14" BS and I can not find any problem with their quality.

[cabinetman]

Making that choice is tough. Like deciding between a Ferrari Enzo and a Lambo LP560. Or, between a Rolls and a Bentley.

As for the saws, I've had both and prefer the Unisaw.
.

[Hoover]

I am liking the new unisaw, thankfully it is built in the US.

[Uncle Cracker]

I am liking the new unisaw, thankfully it is built in the US.

Me too... Saving up my milk money...

[Rich P]

Unfortunately, I've only been able to negotiate a used purchase with the LOML.

If I relied on saving my milk money I'd probably forget what I was saving for by the time I got enough to get a brand new saw. On the other hand, if I saved my gin money....

[drumpriest]

Both are great saws, both have excellent reputations. Can you get a look at them before making your decision?

I agree that the new Uni is pretty cool looking, though I find it sad that it took Delta SO LONG to get on the RK band wagon. I think the PM2000 and SawStop put pressure on them to get with the modern era.

[Rich P]

I don't have an immediate Unisaw candidate. Going to see the PM 66 today. If it is complete and clean I may just pull the trigger (after some haggling). We'll see.

[SARGE..g-47]

I don't have an immediate Unisaw candidate. Going to see the PM 66 today. If it is complete and clean I may just pull the trigger (after some haggling). We'll see.

Having had both... I would lean on the PM as the tolerances are a bit better and the trunnions and castings are a bit beefier. The Uni-saw has a multiple component trunnion with a weak link.. left rear. That component will not be a factor once the saw is put in place and sits permanent. But.. a good number of those trunnion components get broken or cracked in shipment as trucking companies tend to not be so fragile handling palleted cartons and the reason so many Uni-saws were availble factory re-furbised before the up-grade to the new Uni-saw.

With that saw... both are excellent saws with the PM being more beefy than the current PM 2000 and the Uni-saw being not a beefy as the PM 66 (similar to PM 2000 without riving knife) and not as beefy as the new Uni-saw which you stated as out of your price range and mine for that matter.

The $800 is a good going price for a newer PM 66. If in good shape and you can haggle down good for you as I would most likely go the whole $800 if necessary if the saw is pristine..

Good luck...

[BobSch]

I wouldn't kick either one of them out of the shop for leaving sawdust on the floor.

[Rich P]

Sarge

Thank for all the info. The PM is an 86 and has a lot of cosmetic issues which I suppose time and some money and bit of elbow grease would take care of. It has the PM Biesemeyer clone fence which will need to be refaced. The motor is a Marathon 3hp 1ph which I will research over at OWWM. The saw ran fairly smoothly with no detectable play in the arbor. I don't think it got a lot of heavy duty use.

At this point I am leaning toward the PM because of the left tilt.

There is also an older (1960's) 66 around which seems (from the photos) actually to be in better shape than the '86. Only problem is the 3ph motor.

Anyone have a good suggestion on a source for a used or rebuilt 3hp 1ph for a PM 66?

I'll post back when I find out more.

Thanks to all for the responses.

Rich

[tseavoy]

I have never used either, but a local cabinetmaker has a Powermatic. It sure is a nice machine. I don't know if the ones made now are still made in Portland or are imports. I would lean toward the PM just because of the name.

Tom

[cgallery]

The only thing I'll mention is that the left tilt is great unless you think you'd ever to add a sliding table to the left-hand side. In that case, you'd want a right-tilt.

[Rich P]

Slide to the left, slide to the right, sit down sit down fight fight! I don't know what is the correct answer, only that the first time I ripped a 45 off the edge on the right tilt (Bt3k) it felt wrong. When I get my shop in heaven I plan to ask for both! (Never hurts to ask, eh?)