Should I move my PM66? Or sell and replace it?

[Clifford McGuire]

We are moving to our new home, about 1100 miles away. I'm trying to decide if I should move my tablesaw (2001 PM66 5HP, with 50" Rip) or sell it.

I have my eye on a 3HP SawStop Cabinet Saw that would probably cost $3400. If I could get a good price for my PM66 and save on the moving costs, I might go that route. (A new 5HP PM2000 lists for $4200. And I don't think it's as good of a saw as the PM66.)

Should I sell the PM66 and buy the Sawstop? Or pay the moving costs? (I haven't gotten a quote for moving it yet.)

What would you do?

[glenn bradley]

Given the supply chain fiasco and the spike in used gear prices it has brought with it I would hang on to that machine for dear life.

P.s. I have a Saw Stop and love it . . . just in case you were looking for an excuse :o

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Given the supply chain fiasco and the spike in used gear prices it has brought with it I would hang on to that machine for dear life.

P.s. I have a Saw Stop and love it . . . just in case you were looking for an excuse :o

I have a 5hp 52" ICS and I love that, if you need an additional excuse. I am sure that your PM is a good saw too, and yes, I'd keep it unless you need that aforementioned "excuse". And I do like that extra 2 hp, and you could possibly miss that, being as your saw is a 5hp saw...... Just want to mention that if you decide to go with less hp. It's really nice to not hear that motor bog down.
Keep us posted. I have to move my SS soon, and would like to know how much it could cost me.

[Bill Dufour]

Location and market for used machines at each end. Can you even find any used machines were you are moving to? Is there a local market at the old place for used machines. What country?
Bill D.

[Charles Coolidge]

The PM2000 is laughable compared to a PM66 so cross that off the list.

I have a brand new SawStop ICS 5hp and love it so far. One advantage, it's really quiet vs my previous 5hp BEAST 12" Grizzly G0696X. That's a saw of the caliber of a USA PM66. I had planned to buy another recently but they are backordered forever. The ICS fit and finish is very nice. The table and wings are not as thick as a PM66 or G0696X 12" but once you bolt them to the rails they are rock solid.

Ultimately I decided I was getting to the age where my attention isn't as sharp as it once was so I opted for the safety feature of the SawStop ICS.

[Andrew Hughes]

I would also keep it until your sure about the sawstop.

[Mike Henderson]

If you can get a SawStop, I'd recommend going that way. In addition to being a good quality saw, it might save your fingers.

Mike

[roger wiegand]

I've moved my PM66 twice so far, I'd move it a third time without a second thought. Unless, perhaps I could get one of those Martin sliders I've seen in the movies:D. Jumping to another similar cabinet saw wouldn't provide sufficient joy to be worth the expense; upgrading to a slider would be another story.

[Derek Arita]

If you can afford it, sell the 66 and go for the SS, without a doubt. Face it...it's the saw you'll end up anyways and the longer you wait, the more you'll pay.

[Alex Zeller]

I would look at the used market in your area. I often see PM66 saws for sale. The price really depends on the condition. I've seen saws that the table is covered in rust, like they left it outside for a year, to saws that look like they were bought new and cared for. Prices seem to go from about $500 to $2000. I have no clue if they sell and if they do what the final price is. I would expect that the best I could hope for would be $1500 for a PM66 in very nice shape. More than that and people start thinking about new with a warranty. Of course with the inflation this year and backorders things could have changed.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi, my first suggestion would be to replace it with a short stroke slider, safer, more accurate and more capabilities.

My next choice would be a Sawstop for safety, however it has the failings of all cabinet saws…Regards Rod.

[Mike Kees]

I would move the saw. If you did sell I agree with Rod ,a small slider should be your next saw.

[Michael Dean]

Part of the question is do you need a 5hp saw? If so, it might be best to keep the PM66 as a 5hp/52" Sawstop ICS is over $5,000. If you only need 3hp, the 52" PCS is around $3600. I'd guess the sale price of your PM66 plus the cost to ship it covers most of the expense of a 3hp/52" Sawstop PCS.

[Bruce Wrenn]

If you are driving to your new location, why not rent a enclosed trailer and move your PM 66 yourself? Rental on trailer will be most of the expense, as gas usage will be very little different.

[Clifford McGuire]

I would expect that the best I could hope for would be $1500 for a PM66 in very nice shape.

If that's all I could get for my 5HP PM66, I'll just keep it and ship it.

Is there a comparable saw on the market today? Sounds like the PM2000 isn't in the same class.

[Ron Selzer]

First find out what the moving cost will be
Then decide what to do
Good luck
Ron

[Jim Becker]

First find out what the moving cost will be
Then decide what to do
Good luck
Ron

This is a critical data point along with investigating what PM66 saws in similar configuration/condition to what you have are currently selling for, preferably in your geography, but you may need to look beyond that to get enough information. In some places, folks are getting crazy high prices for "not even nice stuff" these days because demand exceeds supply for many used machines and prices for new are higher than ever. Honestly, the cost of moving one machine with your household goods isn't going to be a major factor. If you ship it separately, the cost will be more significant. Having a place to put it at the other end also factors in...

[Patrick McCarthy]

Just a few thoughts, FWIW. My first saw was a new PM66 18-20 years ago, and very much liked it. Got a SawStop ICS approx 8-10 years ago and think it is a better made saw, plus the safety feature - which was the main reason i got it. It cost close to 5k, but the money issue should not necessarily be determinative. If i avoid one accident and an emergency room visit, lost time from work, etc, then you could argue the ICS was “free” or paid for itself. I got the full size 50” table but if i were to do it again i would have opted for the 36” side table as it just seems to be another horizontal surface which is just too tempting to collect crap “temporarily” but never gets moved.
That said, if i were to do it all over again, i would do an euro slider. At this stage of the game i am not changing things but if my son were to ask, I’d tell him to go with a slider . . . And Mac’s air clamps, of course.
Still happy with the ICS, and it does what i need, and makes wife less concerned, but that is my current thinking.

[Alex Zeller]

If that's all I could get for my 5HP PM66, I'll just keep it and ship it.

Is there a comparable saw on the market today? Sounds like the PM2000 isn't in the same class.

I'm not sure about the PM2000 (other than it's made in Asia and no longer has a Baldor motor) being better or worse than the PM66. But when I have free time at work I'll do a search to see what's for sale around me. For example there's currently an early 90s 3hp PM66 for sale outside of Boston that looks like it's in pretty good shape. It was listed for $1700 but has dropped to $1400 so I'm guessing is demand isn't that high.

I also watch auctions and rarely does any PM66 go for more than $1000. I think there's just so many of them that buyers have their choice. I rarely see Sawstop saws for sale. When I do they are priced much higher. For example there's a 3hp ICS for sale not too far from that PM66 on Craig's list with an asking price of $3500. I got my PM66 a couple years ago from an auction for under $200 (including a Bosch router in the extension table). It was so cheap that I couldn't pass it up.

BTW that not being able to pass things up is a very bad habit, lol. I just bought a 1 ton CM electric chain hoist for $100 with a trolley. I built my garage with a large I beam down the center so there's no posts. So now it has a hoist on it. Not sure how often I'll use it but it was cheap.

[Clifford McGuire]

Part of the question is do you need a 5hp saw? If so, it might be best to keep the PM66 as a 5hp/52" Sawstop ICS is over $5,000. If you only need 3hp, the 52" PCS is around $3600. I'd guess the sale price of your PM66 plus the cost to ship it covers most of the expense of a 3hp/52" Sawstop PCS.


No, I don't need a 5HP saw. It was my FIL's saw and he left it to me when he died. It's a great saw, but I'd be fine with a 3HP.

If the sale price of the PM66 plus shipping costs would come close to a SawStop ICS 3HP, then I'd likely sell the PM66.

[David Less]

Here's my advice, I've got a PM66 that I designed and build a slider for (design Engineer by trade). Used a CNC rail and bearing blocks for the sider rail with a nice precision machined cast aluminum table. I love it beyond belief, no more sleds and the cross cutting is more accurate and repeatable that my sliding cross cut miter saw. Best of both worlds, great ripping saw and great cross cut saw.

If I were to do it again, I would never consider a non sliding saw, once you use one you will never go back. I'd get the Hammer version (my brother picked one up almost new) before any non slider cabinet saw. Although the SS has a slider option, I just don't know how robust, accurate and repeatable it is.

Just my $0.02

David

[Joe Jensen]

Here's my advice, I've got a PM66 that I designed and build a slider for (design Engineer by trade). Used a CNC rail and bearing blocks for the sider rail with a nice precision machined cast aluminum table. I love it beyond belief, no more sleds and the cross cutting is more accurate and repeatable that my sliding cross cut miter saw. Best of both worlds, great ripping saw and great cross cut saw.

If I were to do it again, I would never consider a non sliding saw, once you use one you will never go back. I'd get the Hammer version (my brother picked one up almost new) before any non slider cabinet saw. Although the SS has a slider option, I just don't know how robust, accurate and repeatable it is.

Just my $0.02

David

I agree with David. I started in 1986 with a 1970s Unisaw. In 1990 my wife bought me a new 3HP PM66. In 2005 she saw a Sawstop ICS Demo and would not leave the store until I ordered a 5HP ICS. Huge upgrade over the PM66 in every way. In 2009 I ordered a Felder KF700SP and I would never go back to a cabinet saw.

One other point, availability is tough, I hear Felder and SCMI orders today will be filled 2nd half of 2022. There is a Hammer machine in Phoenix on Craig's List right now pretty cheap

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/tls/d/phoenix-felder-combination-machine/7353026424.html

[Jim Becker]

White sliders are not for everyone for a number of subjective reasons, I, too, would never go back to a cabinet saw after having been using a true sliding saw for many years. I'm "between saws" right now because of a move and being in a temporary shop space, but once the building goes up, a new slider will take it's place back in my arsenal. This one will likely be a short stroke based on what I actually use a table saw for most often. Hammer, SCM/Minimax and some others have nice options for smaller, short stroke sliding table saws.

[Bill Dufour]

We have asked several times. Can you at least tell us what continent you are currently living on and or which one you will move too? All I can guess is Scotland or Ireland.
Bill D

[David Less]

White sliders are not for everyone for a number of subjective reasons, I, too, would never go back to a cabinet saw after having been using a true sliding saw for many years. I'm "between saws" right now because of a move and being in a temporary shop space, but once the building goes up, a new slider will take it's place back in my arsenal. This one will likely be a short stroke based on what I actually use a table saw for most often. Hammer, SCM/Minimax and some others have nice options for smaller, short stroke sliding table saws.

jim I have to agree to disagree, once you learn how to use a slider there’s no going back, and why would anyone ever want to use a wooden sled for precision cross cutting?
as for the finger safety, the number one ts accidents are kickback, and I see time and time again people always standing right behind the blade on a typical ts rip cut.
imo the ss may give people a false sense of security because they will become careless.

maybe not an 8’ slider but definitely some type of sliding table like the smaller one I made

cheers
david

[Jim Becker]

We have asked several times. Can you at least tell us what continent you are currently living on and or which one you will move too? All I can guess is Scotland or Ireland.
Bill D
He has a PM66. It would be unlikely that he's be outside of North America. But even so, it wouldn't affect the gist of the question "sell or move it?"

[Jim Becker]

jim I have to agree to disagree, once you learn how to use a slider there’s no going back, and why would anyone ever want to use a wooden sled for precision cross cutting?
as for the finger safety, the number one ts accidents are kickback, and I see time and time again people always standing right behind the blade on a typical ts rip cut.
imo the ss may give people a false sense of security because they will become careless.

maybe not an 8’ slider but definitely some type of sliding table like the smaller one I made

cheers
david

We're not in disagreement at all...I"m not sure why you think we are. Perhaps you are referring to my statement that "while sliders are not for everyone for a number of subjective reasons"...the operative word is "subjective'. There are clearly some folks who would hate a slider for their own reasons. I'm ok with that because it's dovetails with your statement, "once you learn to use a slider there's no going back". The folks I'm referring to are the ones that will refuse to learn how to use one and be forever unhappy. :) And there are many here right in this very community that resemble that remark. :D Being unhappy with an expensive machine isn't a good situation.

And yea...kickbacks. The operator is pretty much out of the line of fire with a slider vs a cabinet saw. I've only had two or three of those nasty things over the past two decades, but was very thankful that the damage to the shop wall was not replaced with damage to my, um...nether regions.

[David Kumm]

As many here know, I'm a huge fan of short stroke sliders and while I still have a few traditional cabinet saws, they collect dust as the short strokes do everything better. I do wish there were more choices. I'm used to heavy builds so some saws seen too light for my tastes but they are still more versatile than a cabinet saw. My old whitney is heavy enough for a feeder so I never need to get hands close to the blade. If you could find a good condition SCM SI12 and a vfd, it would be my choice over any cabinet saw in build or ability. Dave

[Bill Dufour]

Jim, I agree it really does not matter but in Scotland I would think the market for selling a used table saw would be small so he will not get much out of selling it. Also I would think anywhere in Europe slider saws would be easy to buy used, cheap. I could be wrong and since they are understood better in Europe used they may cost more then in the USA
I was surprised by the Greek fellow on here recently who said he can get good wide boards so he needed a big jointer. I had thought Greece would be timber poor.
Bill D.

[Bob Cooper]

Well I think you just need to decide if you want a SS. If so you likely won’t find a better time to sell you PM so take advantage of it. Plus you save on the shipping. If you need a TS immediately after you move buy a tracksaw to hold you over.

what’s the motivation for the SS? Safety?

[Phillip Mitchell]

As many here know, I'm a huge fan of short stroke sliders and while I still have a few traditional cabinet saws, they collect dust as the short strokes do everything better. I do wish there were more choices. I'm used to heavy builds so some saws seen too light for my tastes but they are still more versatile than a cabinet saw. My old whitney is heavy enough for a feeder so I never need to get hands close to the blade. If you could find a good condition SCM SI12 and a vfd, it would be my choice over any cabinet saw in build or ability. Dave

Dave, do you still own a SI12?

I have considered dismantling my tandem table saw set up that consists of a PM 66 w/ 52” bies and Tannewitz Model U back to back in favor of an SI12 or similar, but haven’t seen a good example of the SCMI pop up in a while. For the real estate it occupies in the center of my shop I may be space ahead with just one short stroke slider?

[Bill Bukovec]

I'd move it.

[David Kumm]

No SI12 but I like them. I have a Whitney, Wadkin, Robinson and Hammond for short stroke machines. Knapp with an 80" slider ( least favorite size ) and SI16 with a long stroke. The SCM, Whitney and Robinson get by far the most use. Dave

[Mike Stelts]

I offer my experience on sell vs. move, recognizing your circumstances may be different: I moved my entire shop from Indiana to Pennsylvania four years ago, buying a $3k twin-axle trailer to make it happen. I'm glad I did, because I could immediately start renovating the new (actually 140-year old) house and buy/sell/trade equipment without pressure. I've already covered the trailer and gas expenses by being able to sell one saw and buy another when the timing was convenient and prices were right. Of course, on the other hand, I sold my Indiana tractor, because someone wanted to buy it at a good price and I found a replacement in PA before I closed the deal.

[Thomas Pender]

One thing I did not see mentioned is that 5hp saws usually, in my experience, require 10 ga wire set ups. Some states even make it a code issue. Is that going to be a cost when you move? A Sawstop 3hp PCS with a 52” fence, runs nicely on a standard 220 with 12 ga all day long. Also, depending on how you buy the Sawstop you can skip the delivery charge. Have to say my Sawstop runs dados to breathtaking accuracy - the fence is wonderful, and the comments about clean blades working fine for a 3hp are correct. I have also grown fond of my fingers and the comments about on ER visit making the difference are plainly correct. That being said, expect to pay some extra for the insert for a dado, plus a new dado setup (the Dewalt is outstanding IMHO). Oh, check availability of the PCS where you are moving to - I have a 90 year old friend whose family made him buy a new Sawstop after a recent injury and he had it very shortly - our local Co-op Ace Hardware stocks and sells them. The manager has sold them to every high school and JHS in three counties, plus to me and many others.

[Clifford McGuire]

We have asked several times. Can you at least tell us what continent you are currently living on and or which one you will move too? All I can guess is Scotland or Ireland.
Bill D

Uh, no, Not Scotland or Ireland. Currently living in the upper Midwest and moving to western Colorado. As I mentioned the move will be about 1100 miles. Sorry, I thought my location was showing up in my posts. I'll have to figure out how to do that.

Unless I'm missing a model, replacing it with a slider is out of the budget.

[Clifford McGuire]

Just wanted to update this thread to let you know I still have my PM66. To recap, last July I asked for opinions about moving the saw vs. selling it and buying new.

At the time, I priced a similarly configured Sawstop (except for HP) at $3400. (Since then, that configuration has creeped up to almost $4000.) I wasn't sure what the moving costs would be.

We used a company that just did the move. (We disassembled/packed. They loaded the truck, drove it to new loacation and unloaded it into the correct rooms.) They charged $1000 to move my shop. That included the saw, drill press, tool chest, workbench and about 25 boxes. So, I'd estimate the saw itself was about $500.

471399

Here's it is in it's new home. I'm happy with my decision. I know my saw (does that sound wierd?) It's a very accurate saw, and I knew what I needed to do to get it back to spec.

I had an oversized outfeed/assembly table in the old shop. This time, I made a smaller outfeed table (still need to edge band and a sheet of laminate) and I'm making a separate assembly table.

471400


In the old shop I had similar storage unit under the extension table. It wasn't very deep, because I had a small Penn State dust collector under there. I don't have a lot of accessories, and I like to have them out and available.

471401

Overall, I'm happy that I decided to keep my saw. I have a Harvey overhead guard/dust collector on order to complete the setup.

[Travis Conner]

I've moved my shop like 3 times over the last 10 years or so. I just hire a moving company and they can put that saw on 4 wheel dollies and move it and any other thing you have like nothing. All I do is point my finger on where I want it.

[Marc Fenneuff]

I'm glad you kept your PM66. It was the right thing to do.

[Mitch schiffer]

I would recommend a saw stop i cut a finger off about 5 years ago and it cost me well over double what I could have bought a saw stop for in medical bills to reattach my finger. I now have a saw stop. My local dealer has told me many similar stories of people who came in and bought a ss shortly after a injury.

[Jim Becker]

'Glad the move went sell, Clifford!

[Bill Dufour]

FYI U-haul offers a service of they will supply college students? who will load or unload for a fee. Never used it just read about it here.
Bill D

[Jim Becker]

FYI U-haul offers a service of they will supply college students? who will load or unload for a fee. Never used it just read about it here.
Bill D

UHaul connects renters with local small businesses for loading/unloading. They are not necessarily college student. (Even "College Hunks" are not actually students as it turns out) We used the referral in the UHaul system when we moved our older daughter into her apartment in 2020. It was very reasonable priced and the three men did a good, careful job with the move. This isn't material to the OP, however, as he's already moved.