The Woodworking Table Saw Myth

[Rich Riddle]

In the forum and at shows I have read and heard woodworkers talk about this overabundance of old iron Powermatic and Delta cabinet saws that people are apparently giving away for $500 in perfect condition. Thing is that I have heard about those deals but never seen one. I typically see folks asking anywhere between $1200 and $2400 for the nice saws. Junk may come cheaper but the nice ones seem to hold their values. So where are these great old saws for $500?

[Bill Orbine]

Keep looking.... they're around somewhere. Craigs and Ebay sellers are too often looking for big bucks. Scan local classifieds and folk auctions.

[Frederick Skelly]

For personal reasons, I just passed on a Unisaw for $550 Rich. I dont know how common that kind of deal is.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Rich,

Different parts of the country vary with respect to the price of tools. I have a brother-in-law who does a lot of shopping at pawn shops. He lives in Illinois. Everytime he has visited here, he mentioned how high local prices are.

I have yet to see what I would call a "good" price on good old iron locally on Craigslist.

[Art Mann]

Saws like the OP describes come up for sale in my area at the rate of maybe 1 or 2 per year in a 60 mile radius and the ones they want $500 for have big holes rusted in the cabinet and the bearings have long since refused to move. I see recommendations all the time advising to buy used cabinet saws but in many cases that is useless advice.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Hmm, maybe I ought to move my unisaw onto a new home, 1200 sounds not to bad at all...

[Larry Edgerton]

In the forum and at shows I have read and heard woodworkers talk about this overabundance of old iron Powermatic and Delta cabinet saws that people are apparently giving away for $500 in perfect condition. Thing is that I have heard about those deals but never seen one. I typically see folks asking anywhere between $1200 and $2400 for the nice saws. Junk may come cheaper but the nice ones seem to hold their values. So where are these great old saws for $500?

I posted a NOS Unisaw on Craigslist for two months for $500 and never got a serious call. So they are out there. Ended up giving it away.

[John McClanahan]

When I was saw hunting I found a Unisaw on my local craigslist for $200. "And another piece that I think goes with it". The other piece was a power feeder! Needless to sat, I didn't get there quick enough. :(


John

[David Kumm]

You need to keep in mind that the Uni and PM 66 are the saws everyone knows about which drives up prices. If you expand to the 12-14 or PM 72 you can get a much heavier saw for 750-1250. Older cast iron are the real deal but you need to remember that when buying any used machine, you need to budget for repairs, replacements, or missing parts. We all talk about the one great deal but realistically you should expect to need $1000 minimum to get a good used saw. you might get lucky, but goal is to get something that would sell new for several times what you pay and be constructed better than what is made today. I've had enough machines to know the difference in build and although some of my purchases were dirt cheap, the ones that cost more are still appreciated because you don't find that quality for anywhere near the extra you pay for used. Dave

[Art Mann]

Most of the larger used cabinet saws came out of commercial shops and require 3-phase power. You would need to budget for a phase converter too.

[Tom M King]

They do come up a number of times a year, particularly in large cities, but don't stay in view for any time at all. I bought a Unisaw 3hp single phase for 450, and a similar green 66 for 550. Both came out of hobbyists home shops, and had little use. Both were probably up for a few hours on Craigslist, and I went quickly with cash, help, and truck. Trouble comes when you want to wait for the weekend, or spend time talking about it. Proper talking about it is, "I'm on the way with cash, can you hold it until I get there?"

[Erik Loza]

....So where are these great old saws for $500?

Can't speak to iron like that but will tell you that I talk to guys all the time who "saw a used MM16 once for $1,000" (and they are often quite specific about a price as opposed to "around such-and-such amount"...) or, "My buddy got one for so much", and ask me how often I see those/ when do I think one might pop up?/ where to find that sort of thing/ do I know anyone who has one for sale?, etc.

I think that we all have our dreams about finding that magical deal of a lifetime and some of us take longer to come to grips with reality or just don't let go, ever. Not a judgment, just an observation.

Erik Loza
Minimax

[Steve Roxberg]

I sold a right tilt 3hp Unisaw from 1992 with a 52 inch Unifence for $850 dollars earlier this year. I paid $600 for it, and then came across an Saw Stop PCS 3hp with a 52" fence so I upgraded twice in one year. I still see the higher priced ones but keep looking, they truly do exist.

[David Kumm]

Most of the larger used cabinet saws came out of commercial shops and require 3-phase power. You would need to budget for a phase converter too.

The 12-14 or PM 72 will sometimes be single phase , old iron almost always is three phase. A vfd adds 300-500 to run them. You need to add that to your repair budget if going that route. i think that for woodworking machinery, used should be thought of as a chance to upgrade rather than a way to save. i agree with Erik. I watch used as closely as most, but the price of the right machine is irrelevant, and the cost of the wrong one is always too high. Dave

[Kevin Bourque]

I bought a beautiful Unisaw last summer on craigslist for $500.
It came with an Excaliber rip fence, mobile base, and a bunch of fancy aftermarket jigs and accessories that are worth well over $500 by themselves.
The guy who owned it was a hobbyist woodworker who rarely used it. He died and the family sold off all of his stuff.

There are plenty of bargains out there. You gotta be quick.

[Art Mann]

I guess we don't have as many people who are not in their right mind around here.

[Tom Giles]

They are out there. I found a Unisaw that was in great shape (meaning all I had to do was plug it in). When I went to pick it up the guy also had a Powermatic model 60 8" jointer also in great shape that he wanted to get rid of. Loaded both in my truck for $800. Deals can be found if you are ready to pull the trigger.

[Tom M King]

I googled "Powermatic 66 craigslist" and found this: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/for/4822648429.html

Personally, I'd keep looking for a hobbiest saw with single phase and little use, but these could be some good.

[Joe A Faulkner]

In my search, mostly limited to Indiana, the Chicago burbs, Southwest Michigan, and Kentucky, I've noted more Unisaws that PMs. I was able to pick up a Uni with 1.5 hp motor and 52" fence similar to this one: http://muncie.craigslist.org/tls/4845656104.html for $650 - that was 2 years ago. I had been looking for months. I haven't really seen a deal like this for some time. The only PMs I ever see in the $500 range are 3 phase models that appear to have been used and abused in production environments. Most of the Unis I see below $900 appear to be in need of some work. Right now searching the Indianapolis area for Unisaws the prices range from $900-$1700.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Like most things, the location is a big factor. IF you live in or near a big city, the math just works out that there are more people selling more saws, and and the market price is supply v demand, as always. If you live in or near Bupkiss, the numbers don't work in your favor.

No disrespect to Bupkiss - I lived the the Bupkiss, Mich suburbs for 10 years..................

Also - there are often great deals on the 3 phase gear, simply because they are not in as much demand by Joe Woodworker. As noted above - a var freq drive, or maybe even a replacement motor, can open up another layer of options.

EDIT: Most references are to C/L. I suggest you also check our two other sites:

Ex Factory is a major, major source for used equipment. A lot of Delta and PM table saws listed there - but did not see any in the $500 range.

The other is Industrial Recovery Services. They handle auctions. There are 3 PM table saws, and 15 Unisaws listed a the moment. YOu might find a quick deal, you might not. You might bid on equipment, and repeatedly get outbid by some cement-head. Costs nothing to play.

IN a professional capacity, I have bought from both places. The IRS items were accessory shop-floor stuff [floor fans, things like that]. THe transactions all went smoothly - no problems at all.

I have bought big-time honking stuff [ain't no one putting them thingys in their home shop] through ExF - not table saws. But - the place has a very good reputation, for good reason. I have always been able to get through to their listed rep and ask questions that get answered.

No qualms recommending them. But, no guarantees you find what you want a the price you want - just saying they are reputable, well-run outfits.

[Jim Andrew]

In Kansas, good deals come up once in a few years. I decided I am too old to wait. I did get a good deal on a used Grizzly drill press. But most of my stuff was purchased new.

[Jon Nuckles]

Supply might be higher in bigger cities, but so is demand. I watched Craigslist in Chicago for months before I bought new. I only saw a couple of things that were good enough tools and prices to even call about. I didn't get a call back on either one, including a Unisaw that I called within a half hour of its listing and left a message saying I'd pay his asking price if it was in working order!

[Rick Potter]

About two years ago, I sold a 2000 limited edition Unisaw in great shape for $600. It had the 50" Beis, 3HP, and a Delta mobile base.

I have noted before about prices going up lately, and I think I could get $900 or more for it now. The really good deals were from '08 to '12 around here.

[Peter Quinn]

I've never come across one of those $500 deals in my area, and when I was looking anything decent and reasonable went so fast you basically had to be the first caller, live next door to the seller and have the cash in your pocket at the time. Even just fair priced used stuff went very fast. I guess there will always be exceptions, but I wouldn't sit around waiting for a PM66 some little old lady used once to drive to church to pop up just down the road for $500. Now if you want a really bad RAS for $150 my local Craig's list seems to have those perennially.

[Brian Henderson]

My local CL generally sucks, there aren't a lot of tools listed and most are overpriced, but I just did a search for Unisaws and found quite a few in the $700 range that looked decent enough. The only PM66 was a brand new one, still in the box, for $2300.

[Charles Li]

The thing about the good deals on CL is they sell fast - like with in hours. I've missed out plenty (not on a table saw though) even replying the same day. I've had some luck too. To increase your chances on CL I'd do one of those auto notification apps. I've never used one (sounds dangerous when you don't need anything :) but then you don't have to constantly scan listings. But yah, I've never seen an amazing deal like you noted. I'm sure they exist, I just wasn't on CL that single moment it was posted.

[Keith Weber]

I guess there will always be exceptions, but I wouldn't sit around waiting for a PM66 some little old lady used once to drive to church to pop up just down the road for $500.

That just paints a hilarious picture! I think there needs to be a Photoshop contest to see who can come up with the best rendition of that.

It's been tough out there lately. Back in 2008, lots of woodworking businesses were folding and I was getting incredible deals on quality, 3-phase machines for pennies on the dollar. Now that the economy has seemingly been on a tear for a number of years, the deals are fewer and further between. It's an especially tough crowd in the Chicago area. Everybody seems to want an arm and a leg for things. It isn't helped by an abundance of machinery dealers that buy up anything in sight at whatever cost it takes, and then advertise them at ridiculous prices in the hopes that a desperate buyer comes along with deep pockets. They bombard CL and the Bay with listings, so every time you look through them, you have to sift through the same ads that they've had posted for 2 or 3 years with the exact same, inflexibly-overpriced tools that aren't selling. They even list on CL as "For Sale by Owner", so you can't filter out the dealers. I don't know how they stay in business.

As others have mentioned, you have to consider the repair bill on older tools. Most of the deals I've got lately were because they needed repair. If you've got the skills and equipment to repair them, there's some deals to be had. I recently picked up a 5-foot D&K sheet metal finger brake for about 1/2 of what I should have paid for it because it had a snapped counterweight arm and about 5 missing fingers. I was able to weld the counterweight arm back to like new in about 15 minutes, and fabricating some new fingers will take a few hours on the Bridgeport when I get around to it.

On the plus side, it's good if you've got things to sell -- especially if they're single-phase tools.

[Kent A Bathurst]

The thing about the good deals on CL is they sell fast - like with in hours.

Just like a great deal on an LN plane here..........

[Dick Brown]

I ended up with five Unisaws a couple years ago off Craig's List, all single phase, for a total of about $700. cash outlay. Parted one to fix another, sold the bones for $200. and the rest in the 6 to 8.50 range. All this happened in about two months. Could count on one hand all that have been on C.L since in our area. Be patient, they seem to run in bunches. Did look at an Atlas 3160 1 h.p. cabinet saw this morning that was on the Bend, OR Craig's List priced @ $300. Not a Unisaw but maybe an par with a decent contractor's saw.

[Phil Barrett]

Like others have said, good deals on CL go fast. Typically, the ad gets taken down because the seller is tired of getting calls after it's gone.

There are other sources, often auctions, that can have good deals though it's hit or miss. I went to 3 auctions last year that had cabinet saws. The best was a cabinet shop that was shutting down. They had 2 PM 66s, a newer 52" PM with a bessy, outfeed table and DC and couple of older cabinet saws. The 52" PM went for 800. The rest went much cheaper, one was 350 and the others were 250 or under. At another auction, a fairly clean unisaw went for 450. In our area there are a couple of outfits that deal in used equipment - when they are there and bidding, you know the price is reasonable.

I've seen ads for other auctions, typically manufacturers (but not woodworking related) shutting down. Often they will have a few tools including a decent table saw, drill press and bandsaw. I usually don't go to those but you can get really good deals there if you are the only one seriously interested. Hit or miss, though.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Only paid $450 for Uni several years back. Bought it from a used equipment dealer. Had a half dozen to choose from, at same price. School shops are being up graded to Saw Stops for liability reasons, so school auctions are a good place to look.

[george newbury]

/edit Bruce posted while I was building the following:
Your looking in the wrong place. Here are just a few of the ones I've passed up in the two years. Follow the links for tablesaw pictures

Delta catalogue II 34-450
3 phase
220 volts $103.50 http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=980167

Powermatic Table Saw Model# 66 - Serial# 8166953 - Working When Taken Out Of Service In routine Rotation - $162 http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1266272

One each Used Delta Rockwell 10" Unisaw
Model # ER1436
Ser # 34-450
Asset # 66122 $103.39 http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1262938

Delta Table saw, has single phase 1 hp motor, 115/230 volts, and is rather large measuring 82" long x 27" wide x 36" high. Comes with guide and exhaust tube. Recently removed from school wood shop and runs fine. Great deal, see photos.
$188.01 http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1219744

TABLE SAW, POWERMATIC, S/N 466725, MODEL 66, CONDITION UNKNOWN. $405.00 http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1147851

And of course my score:

306358
306359

Which I paid about $1K for ALL of it, including 2 saws.

This is MOSTLY 3 phase stuff, but usually well maintained in high school woodshops. Around here the schools contract for maintenance. I often see the same item in a school auction showing up weeks later on my local Craigs list with THE PICTURE copied from the auction and with the auction number in the CL pic. And then the prices are well over $500.

And during those last 2 years there were dozens showing up in the midwest, but I don't drive that far.

[Bill Adamsen]

I have a Uni that is almost uni-purposed at this point (finger joints and ripping). In fact, I've been serious debating for at least two years cutting it down (the fence and extension tables) to a really narrow saw, so as to reduce the footprint. I have had this saw for 35 years (bought new) and it runs perfectly. Nothing has ever broken or been replaced. I probably have 15+ excellent blades. I wish it were right tilt and Biesemeyer equiped, but it's left and unifence. If I could only get $500 why get rid of it?

For those hunting, I would say, consider the value of the fence and blades.

[Rich Riddle]

I have access to 3 phase power via a rotary phase converter used to power an Agazzani 600. The publicserviceplus links are much appreciated. I was simply tiring of reading folks telling others about this overabundance of plug and play cabinet saws around every corner. It seems most of you are saying they can be found but they are on the rare side. I have the Hammer Winner K3 and use it for most things but would like to find a Powermatic 66 for some of the things I haven't quite figured out on the Hammer.

[george newbury]

I have access to 3 phase power via a rotary phase converter used to power an Agazzani 600. The publicserviceplus links are much appreciated. I was simply tiring of reading folks telling others about this overabundance of plug and play cabinet saws around every corner. It seems most of you are saying they can be found but they are on the rare side. I have the Hammer Winner K3 and use it for most things but would like to find a Powermatic 66 for some of the things I haven't quite figured out on the Hammer.
I also frequent (almost live on) a tractor forum and they are all the time talking about the $500 tiller, the $250 plow which I rarely see. But the public schools ARE turning out wood working equipment fairly routinely.

[Rich Riddle]

Can't speak to iron like that but will tell you that I talk to guys all the time who "saw a used MM16 once for $1,000" (and they are often quite specific about a price as opposed to "around such-and-such amount"...) or, "My buddy got one for so much", and ask me how often I see those/ when do I think one might pop up?/ where to find that sort of thing/ do I know anyone who has one for sale?, etc.

I think that we all have our dreams about finding that magical deal of a lifetime and some of us take longer to come to grips with reality or just don't let go, ever. Not a judgment, just an observation.

Erik Loza
Minimax
Erik,

Well I just witnessed a 2004 version of the MM16 draw a $1375 winning bid. It has the 3.6 HP motor and 14" resaw height if the buyer is lucky. On a good note, at least he got the mobility kit with it. Decent deal for a decent saw, but not the value of the newer models. That's ok; ignorance in bliss on parts of buyers.

[Patrick Curry]

In my search, mostly limited to Indiana, the Chicago burbs, Southwest Michigan, and Kentucky, I've noted more Unisaws that PMs. I was able to pick up a Uni with 1.5 hp motor and 52" fence similar to this one: http://muncie.craigslist.org/tls/4845656104.html for $650 - that was 2 years ago. I had been looking for months. I haven't really seen a deal like this for some time. The only PMs I ever see in the $500 range are 3 phase models that appear to have been used and abused in production environments. Most of the Unis I see below $900 appear to be in need of some work. Right now searching the Indianapolis area for Unisaws the prices range from $900-$1700.

There has been a few nice Unisaws sold lately in the Indy market for just under $1k. But those are the exceptions. It's hard to rationalize paying more for a 10 yr old delta than a new Grizzly GO1034.

[Chuck Hart]

Funny I read this and went on to CL and bingo the first listing was for a Delta Unisaw with a 54" aux table and fence for $1000 and a 1966 Powermatic for $700 that looks clean and runs

[Jeff Duncan]

I've outfitted most of my shop with used equipment and much has been for what's generally considered "good deals". There are plenty of deals out there but it usually takes some looking. When I'm in the market for a machine I spend a LOT of time looking, CL, various auction sites, and a couple other various sources. In terms of table saws I've bought 3 over the years, my first Unisaw cost $200, but did need a bit of work. I had to wire a new cord and buy a fence for it. My second Unisaw came from an auction, that one cost $235. Luckily that one came with a fence and was pretty much plug and play. My daily driver, a Wadkin 12" cost me $500 also at auction. Again plug and play in very good condition.

As the others said area plays a big part of it, and having a bit of luck certainly helps as well. If you keep looking chances are good you'll find something, maybe not for $500 if you want fantastic condition, but still for a "good deal". Oh and patience is a necessity. If you look for a couple months, or look in 1 or 2 places, your odds are not going to be high. My 3 table saw deals were spread out over about 20 years, and the only one I bought while actually looking for a table saw was the Wadkin. The others were just too good a deal to pass on.

good luck,
JeffD

[Keith Hankins]

In the forum and at shows I have read and heard woodworkers talk about this overabundance of old iron Powermatic and Delta cabinet saws that people are apparently giving away for $500 in perfect condition. Thing is that I have heard about those deals but never seen one. I typically see folks asking anywhere between $1200 and $2400 for the nice saws. Junk may come cheaper but the nice ones seem to hold their values. So where are these great old saws for $500?

Keep the faith! Use Search tempest and something will come up. Of course you may have to go travel a bit, but it's up to you. I waited for over a year for a big planer to show up. Finally a Northfield 20" planer showed up for 1500. Deals will pop up. Hang in there!

[Mike Schuch]

Finding a great deal on a old iron table saw is pretty easy. Plunk down $3500 on a new saw stop then all the old iron saws will come out of the wood work... all over the place! That is just the way the world works.

I paid $500 for my 3hp 1ph Powermatic 65 (cabinet saw that was the predecessor to the PM66) about 15 years ago. It was in the want adds of the local news paper. Any one remember what want ads are or even what a new paper is? It was in the era when not many people had internet connections and I could search the want ads before they actually made it to print. Of course I wasn't really looking for a table saw at the time but knew it was a deal and pounced on it.

On the other hand I had a quest machine, a horizontal boring machine, that I spent over 8 years searching for. I took a cabinet making class at the local community college where I used a horizontal boring machine for face frames and decided I had to have one. It took 8 years of searching but I finally found one for $100. It had been dropped and the spindle slide bearings had cracked (which the seller tried to hide) but it was easy enough to refurbish.

About 6 years ago my father was the only one to answer a Craigslist add for a Powermatic 12" cabinet saw for $1. When he got there he asked the seller how much he really wanted for the saw and the seller said $1! The saw was left in a factory by a previous owner that the seller was leasing to produce paint and he just wanted the saw out of the way. The seller even expended considerable effort helping my father load the saw into his trailer. It took us a good 6 months of work to refurb that Powermatic 71 cabinet saw in which we had to get get a couple of parts custom machined by some friends and did a considerable amount of grinding to grind off the welded on casters. It is a 5hp 3ph saw that runs well on a the same phase converter I use for my RAS.

When I picked up my Walker Turner shaper for $200 I was not in the market for a shaper (Also 3ph). I am stuck with a 3/4" spindle because parts have not been made for that shaper for decades but 3/4" cutters are very common.

My father used his Craftsman 4" jointer for almost 40 YEARS before he tripped over a Jet 8" shaper for $200 in like new condition. Unfortunately the 8" Jet jointer is mine now and I sold my 6" Harbor Freight jointer to a friend for $100 which he considers the score of the century.

[Jim Andrew]

My nephew bought a unisaw for 500 on a purplewave auction. It is an older model with the old pipe rails. Was that fence called jet lock? Not a biesemeyer.

[Mike Heidrick]

I wish it were right tilt and Biesemeyer equiped, but it's left and unifence.

Interestimng. IMO, Those are sought after upgrades to a right tilt and bies setup. A unifence can be a unifence very easily if you want - google bigafence or uni-t-fence add ons. The left tilt makes bevels easier as it tilts away from the fence when the fence is on the right.

[Chris Padilla]

Finding a great deal on a old iron table saw is pretty easy. Plunk down $3500 on a new saw stop then all the old iron saws will come out of the wood work... all over the place! That is just the way the world works.

LOL! Yep, Murphy rules the universe! :)

[Joe Hillmann]

I just did a search on craigslist and found 4 nice looking cabinet saws in the $500-$650 price range, all of them either had after market fences mounted on them or the description said they had a uni fence that went with it but wasn't mounted to it in the photos.

[John Schweikert]

Good used tools at great prices are very regionally specific. If I lived in California, then I would surrounded by heavy iron as I see a huge amount on ebay. Others areas in the country are saturated too, but not where I live, and it looks as though that applies to many other people too.

[David Kumm]

Good used tools at great prices are very regionally specific. If I lived in California, then I would surrounded by heavy iron as I see a huge amount on ebay. Others areas in the country are saturated too, but not where I live, and it looks as though that applies to many other people too.

I've bought many machines from the Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky area. Probably more than any other region so it might be perception rather than reality. Dave

[Chris Padilla]

I just did a quick search on my local CL here in the SF Bay Area:

306531

I found two Delta/Rockwells that looked nice...both wanted $1200. The Altendorf and Northfield look VERY nice!

[Shawn Pixley]

I don't know where you are seeing these in California but over the last 6 weeks there are 2 Unisaws ($2,200 & $2,500), 2 Pm66's ($1,100 & $2,250), and a new Jet ($1,200) in a 5 county search from my location. There is also a '50's unisaw knock-off for $700. None of those are amazing deals in my book. The others were combinations of small jobsite saws or contractor saws.

California is big, maybe not Alaska big, but big. In SoCal, there is not an abundance of lumber, mills, or woodworking shops. Lumber is shipped in rather than harvested and milled locally. Used decent tools around here are not common.

I am not looking for a saw as I bought an SS, but I quickly determined that I could be waiting for quite a while to score one of those deals.

[Brian Henderson]

Good used tools at great prices are very regionally specific. If I lived in California, then I would surrounded by heavy iron as I see a huge amount on ebay. Others areas in the country are saturated too, but not where I live, and it looks as though that applies to many other people too.

Funny, I feel the opposite. Just looking through the classifieds here, virtually nothing comes out of California, all of it comes out of the south and northeast. My local CL has very few tools on it and prices are generally bad, at least when I look at it. Maybe I just miss the amazing deals because I hardly pay any attention to it.

[Brian Henderson]

I don't know where you are seeing these in California but over the last 6 weeks there are 2 Unisaws ($2,200 & $2,500), 2 Pm66's ($1,100 & $2,250), and a new Jet ($1,200) in a 5 county search from my location. There is also a '50's unisaw knock-off for $700. None of those are amazing deals in my book. The others were combinations of small jobsite saws or contractor saws.

California is big, maybe not Alaska big, but big. In SoCal, there is not an abundance of lumber, mills, or woodworking shops. Lumber is shipped in rather than harvested and milled locally. Used decent tools around here are not common.

I am not looking for a saw as I bought an SS, but I quickly determined that I could be waiting for quite a while to score one of those deals.

Exactly so. While there are a few hardwood dealers in my area of California, prices and availability are limited, at least from my perspective. Tools aren't that widely available either, new or used. It's funny, people tend to have lots of money and the weather is great for woodworking, I guess it's just not as popular as it may be in other parts of the country.

[Brian Henderson]

I just did a quick search on my local CL here in the SF Bay Area:

306531

I found two Delta/Rockwells that looked nice...both wanted $1200. The Altendorf and Northfield look VERY nice!

Yet I just looked at my CL, for today, searching for "table saw" like you did, there were a total of 3 saws, all of them contractor size or smaller. In fact, to find any cabinet saw, I had to go back to the 7th, someone selling a Unisaw for $1500. Going back, the next cabinet saw was another Unisaw, beat up and rusty, going for almost $1000 and that was last month!

[Jim German]

Its not a Unisaw or a PM66, and its 3-phase without the best fence, but this Northfield No4 (http://www.irsauctions.com/popups/bidders_paddle.asp?lot=314707&auction=6SRADJI32KI48K6CZ3EIA3XN2N31HY&id=18656)looks to be in pretty good shape and is bigger and heavier than either of those by a wide margin. It sold last week for $550

[cody michael]

I bought a unisaw for 350$ with bies fence, was missing extension table and rear angle iron, also needed cleaned up but well worth it.

[Bradley Gray]

i bought a PM66 five years ago - 3hp 3ph with 52" Beisemeyer for $450. I found it on ebay in Lexington KY.

[Rich Riddle]

I am looking at ads while waiting on the wife's car to get serviced. They are few and expensive here. But I have a Hammer K3 Winner 48" model and am only looking for a backup for the few things I feel more comfortable on a cabinet saw. I have owned a Unisaw and will hold out for a Powermatic this time. Used just about every cabinet saw made, including the Sawstop, in military wood shops and prefer the Powermatic.

[John Huds0n]

Here are four currently listed in my area (S Cal)

$750 $950 $1,250 $1,500

[Tom M King]

I guess it's just like fishing. You always "should have been here yesterday".

[Rick Potter]

John H.

You beat me to it. There are at least a dozen within 50 miles of me, although some must be made of gold, that $750 one looks real clean.

[David Hendricks]

I've bought two saws in the last year a pm 65 for $75.00, in pretty rough shape but easily rehabable. I then bought a pm 66 for $550. In both cases I had to drive a significant distance to pick them up the 65 was in bfe Ohio, the 66 Columbus. The 65 I found on craigslist the 66 on eBay. Neither came with a fence but I already had a biesemeyer fence to out on one. The 65 I will get cleaned up this spring and probably sell around the $500 mark.

[Kent A Bathurst]

John H.

You beat me to it. There are at least a dozen within 50 miles of me, although some must be made of gold, that $750 one looks real clean.

Me too - RH tilt, tho..... as are #2 and #4 - can't tell on #3. The "gold" - #3 and #4 have 52" fence w/Biese, so that carries a bit of a price bump, as does Delta mobile base on #4. But still - your point is correct, Rick.

The moral of the story - you gotta have green folding money in an envelope, you gotta be willing to pull the trigger without endless pondering and supposing - there is a certain risk involved - and you gotta be ready to reply and hit the road immediately. You can get there and decline if your inspection shows it is a bad deal, but you aren't looking for, nor paying for, showroom quality. YOu need to be first in the door with the simoleans in hand in order to have a shot at playing.

[Nick Stokes]

There is a PM66 for $550 just posted in DFW. They do exist. I saw a Unisaw a month ago that came with a Dust Collection system for $500.

Happens frequently in DFW.

[Rich Riddle]

There is a PM66 for $550 just posted in DFW. They do exist. I saw a Unisaw a month ago that came with a Dust Collection system for $500.

Happens frequently in DFW.
Nick, it looks like this is your first post, so welcome to Saw Mill Creek. Looks like we need to be envious of your tool options as well as the warm weather down there this winter.

[Nick Stokes]

Nick, it looks like this is your first post, so welcome to Saw Mill Creek. Looks like we need to be envious of your tool options as well as the warm weather down there this winter.

Thank you for the welcome. I just saw the CL add and thought of this post, thought maybe I could help someone out.