Rusty Eads
09-24-2010, 12:05 PM
A little background info first:
I currently have a Delta TS350 contractor table saw with a 1 hp direct drive motor. It has the solid cast iron top, along with the wings. It has 27" rip capacity and does a pretty good job for what I have done so far. I have tripped the thermal protection several times cutting thicker hardwoods. I have been using cheap $20 blades so I know it could use some improvement there. That being said, that is the only problems I have had with it and it is a very sturdy saw for only being a contractor saw (the 22" x 38" solid cast iron top helps).
I came across a 1960's powermatic 65 cabinet saw with a 1.5 hp 3 phase motor, original jet lock fence, no miter gauge, and an overarm blade guide. Asking price is $350 and by the pictures it looks to be in decent shape (though I know pictures don't tell the whole story). The asking price blows my whole budget and since I currently don't have a phase converter or 3 phase power I would not be able to run the saw as is. I do have a 2 hp motor off of another saw that I could probably fit underneath to allow me to use it for the time being.
Now for the real questions:
Should I pull the trigger and get the last saw I would probably ever need? I keep a very close eye on CL and saws like this at this price do not come around that often. Should I just keep with my Delta since I really haven't had that much problems with it? I do quite a bit of woodworking, for friends, families and myself and I am worried that I will be in the middle of a project and the saw will give out and since it has the direct drive motor I can't just slap any motor in there. I have drooled over cabinet saws and unisaws and have never had the opportunity to own one (5 kids eat up any expendable income, and everyone knows this hobby hungers for it :o).
The powermatic is the kind of saw straight out of my dreams so my judgement may be a bit clouded and I am hoping that the advice of those more knowledgeable then myself will help to guide me down the right path.
I have enclosed a picture of the saw I am thinking about. Thanks for listening and for any advice.
I currently have a Delta TS350 contractor table saw with a 1 hp direct drive motor. It has the solid cast iron top, along with the wings. It has 27" rip capacity and does a pretty good job for what I have done so far. I have tripped the thermal protection several times cutting thicker hardwoods. I have been using cheap $20 blades so I know it could use some improvement there. That being said, that is the only problems I have had with it and it is a very sturdy saw for only being a contractor saw (the 22" x 38" solid cast iron top helps).
I came across a 1960's powermatic 65 cabinet saw with a 1.5 hp 3 phase motor, original jet lock fence, no miter gauge, and an overarm blade guide. Asking price is $350 and by the pictures it looks to be in decent shape (though I know pictures don't tell the whole story). The asking price blows my whole budget and since I currently don't have a phase converter or 3 phase power I would not be able to run the saw as is. I do have a 2 hp motor off of another saw that I could probably fit underneath to allow me to use it for the time being.
Now for the real questions:
Should I pull the trigger and get the last saw I would probably ever need? I keep a very close eye on CL and saws like this at this price do not come around that often. Should I just keep with my Delta since I really haven't had that much problems with it? I do quite a bit of woodworking, for friends, families and myself and I am worried that I will be in the middle of a project and the saw will give out and since it has the direct drive motor I can't just slap any motor in there. I have drooled over cabinet saws and unisaws and have never had the opportunity to own one (5 kids eat up any expendable income, and everyone knows this hobby hungers for it :o).
The powermatic is the kind of saw straight out of my dreams so my judgement may be a bit clouded and I am hoping that the advice of those more knowledgeable then myself will help to guide me down the right path.
I have enclosed a picture of the saw I am thinking about. Thanks for listening and for any advice.