On 6 May 2004 09:34:10 -0700, (LP) wrote:

many snips....


I purchased a brand new Powermatic model 66 table saw from Amazon.com



Did you not have a local dealer?



As I began unloading the saw I noticed a motor cover, which you
description specifically says is not included, that's really nice
except I had purchased a cover before the saw arrived anticipating the
need for one. Now I'm out that $75.00.

You are complaining because you got more than you expected?


The first thing I notice about this saw is the complete and totally
snips....
Some tape would have prevented that lose.

I wonder if you had one that was a "factory" rebuild? Or a display
saw, that was packed off to you, long after it left the factory?

One (small) advantage of buying stuff made in China- they have to pack
it well, to survive the voyage.



So now I start trying to assemble this machine. Lets just say the
manual is quite inferior. I knew nothing about how to assemble this


Every power tool I assemble makes the NEXT tool that much easier. Not
to defend their crappy manual- but the next time you assemble a PM66,
it will be easier. Not that there should be a next time.


insert out. So I unscrew all of the allen screws thinking they are
holding it down, nope they don't. Didn't see any description of that
in the manual.


whoops!! Now you have to re-align the insert. Not sure you should
blame them for that.



Next the manual shows a guy using a piece of wood to hold the blade
still while loosening/tightening the arbor nut. Well that is fine and
dandy if there is a blade installed. I can't loosen the arbor nut
installed by the factory with the wrench provided because the arbor
shaft turns. I note there are two flat spots on the arbor shaft and
think to myself, "powermatic guys are smart enough to provide a wrench
to hold the shaft while I loosen the nut (my old cheap Delta saw did)"
so I look through the boxes and parts and find no more wrenches. Then
I look through my tools and no wrenches I have are thin enough to
access the flats on the shaft. So now I have a saw that I can't
install a blade till I find a tool that will hold the shaft. Useless
saw for sawing.

Borrow one from a buddy? I bet it is the same size as Delta supplies
with Unisaws. Of course, they should have sent you one. Not the end
of the world though, if you are short a wrench. I bet I'd find some
way to get that nut off, if I had me a new saw to play with. It
wouldn't have been put on all that tight at the factory, would it?

Hey, I wonder if a bike shop would have a wrench that would fit. Cone
wrenches, used to adjust bicycle wheel bearings, are very thin.




Well okay, lets move on. I'll install a power cable to the saw. Since
Powermatic doesn't provide one or even a guide to buying the right
size, I get one the same gauge as the motor cable 12/3 calculating
this will be big enough. I open the switch cover, looking at the
picture in the manual of how the power is routed (which is good
enough), but crap there is no cable clamp to hold the power cable into
the switch box. Not even a note in the manual that one is needed. So
off I go to Home Depot and buy a package of 5 (only comes in packages
of five) for $1.25 or 25 cents each. Come on guys, a 25 cent part you
know is needed and don't supply or even says it's needed. So I finally
get power and the motor runs (without a saw blade of course). Well one
small success.

No sympathy from me, here. What if you wanted to wire this with
conduit? or that armoured cable stuff (?RX?) the darn cable clamp
would be in the way. No, that part should be supplied by the
purchaser. What, you didn't have a handful in your toolbox? You just
bought a pack of 5- so you are good for next time.


I start looking at the bolts to hold the table wings to the saw. I
think these are the lowest grade bolts you could find, I think even
the cheap Delta saw I got rid of had better bolts holding the wings
on. I'm afraid if I use them, they will break off in the saw. So I'll
spend a couple more bucks on my two thousand dollar saw and replace
them with higher grade bolts.

bolts is bolts. don't cuss it out until it breaks. You know, if you
go and buy a good grade 8 (automotive) bolt, you will have the best
thing around. But if you are tightening it into cast iron, you run
the risk of screwing up the saw. Maybe a cheaper bolt would break
before buggering up the threads cut into thin cast iron. I know, its'
a stretch, but it could happen.



I work in aerospace and I know what quality products, good
documentation and sound packaging are.

I bet Powermatic doesn't sell much to the aerospace industry. A
router is to a Bridgeport as a table saw is to a ....... ??


I feel you people at Powermatic
are living on your reputation, falling short of doing what is
necessary to really make a great product. It's not that hard or costs


I fear you are right. they are resting on their laurels. Those
fellers in Tennessee must not think they have any chance of loosing
their jobs to a chinaman. As have many others in America.


manufacturing. By the way the Jet bandsaw went together great and all
parts where there and well packaged.


Where was the Jet made? Just curious-



Feel free to delete this post- I'm in a crappy mood tonight. And you
ain't making it any better. I thought maybe one day I'd get me the
best of the best, a PM66. Guess I shouldn't have waited. Oh well, my
contractors saw (Delta, made in USA) works for me.


Please don't misunderstand my post- I feel bad for you, I feel bad
that an American product would be shipped badly. But there may be one
or two items here where you had unresonable expectations.


And one more related thought- why can't Amazon list the country of
manufacture on it's web pages?


-Dan V.