Delta 36-725, Rigid 4512, or restore Green Powermatic 66

[Don Roberson II]

Long time lurker, first time poster
I am in the market for a new TS. Preferably less than 600
I thing I have narrowed it down to these 2 Delta 36-725 & Rigid 4512. I have a HF 25% off coupon but haven't checked with HD or Lowes to see if they will accept it.
Any info or opinions on these 2 saws would greatly be appreciated.
The Delta is fairly new & just not a lot of info on it.
I have found a Green Powermatic 66 with a Beis fence, no riving knife or blade guard,sitting in a barn. 3ph 5hp motor & convertor bad. Rusted up(not real bad just surface) I can get for free
Would it be worth restoring this instead of the new ones?

[Rich Riddle]

Home Depot and Lowes will not honor the Harbor Freight coupon. They will honor each others coupon. I would restore the old saw. With nothing in it initially, you could install a 1 phase motor or VFD for less than your budget. Bearings cost little to nothing. If you are mechanical, it doesn't take long to do the restoration.

Indicate where you are located in your profile. Some members here might have options about which you have no knowledge in your area.

[Rich Riddle]

You are also comparing apples to oranges here. A cabinet saw far exceed what you will get in terms of quality from a contractor table saw. The Powermatic is the cabinet saw.

[david brum]

If you don't go with the PM66, you'll kick yourself forever. You can get a Shark Guard splitter system for that saw which will work very well as a blade guard and nearly as well as a true riving knife.

Did you say that the PM's 3 phase converter is bad?

[Don Roberson II]

Thanks guys.
Yea the guy who has it said fire flew out of the motor & convertor.
I'm just taking his word for it that they are both bad

[Jim Andrew]

I'd jump on the PM66, clean it up, put on a new 3hp motor, and add a shark guard. The shark guard has splitters, and is a joy to use compared to the stock guards.

[John McClanahan]

I bought a PM66 with the 5 HP 3 PH motor. While deciding what I wanted to do about the motor, I built a couple of L shaped motor mount adapters and mounted up a 1.5 HP Baldor motor I had so I could use the saw. That was almost 3 years ago. I don't feel it is underpowered, and at this point I may never replace the 1.5 HP motor.

John

[Judson Green]

Powermatic!

[scott spencer]

The PM is in another league....

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/PM66-B.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/unboxing7-1_zps876d47eb.jpg

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ljimg/myyfv76.jpg

[Don Roberson II]

Thank you for all of the good advice & pictures.
Sounds like the PM is the way to go, price is right too.