My New Sexy Table Saw and Router Table Mods

Is it really a project? I think so because the router table lacked what I really need so I added a few things. Read on to find out. Its a PM2000 special edition with the 3hp Baldor motor. Baldor isnt that great, but not the worst either. I prefer them over a no-name brand. The baldor is what makes it the special edition. It has the 50inch rip fence and router lift. The router lift is made by JessEm, which is a nice name to have on your router. Isn’t it a very handsome machine? Can you tell how excited I am?
The router table, I think, is nice to have on the side of the saw. Its right there where I am working. (Sawstop doesn’t have these, do they??) However the router fences were a bit short. I do lots of raised panels and they get quite big. I also use it as a mini jointer. So, the router fences needed extending. They were graced with prime soft maple. The table was also a bit short. Like i said, i do lots of panels. I added a piece of 5/4 walnut 6 inches wide. The 6 inches increases the capacity tremendously. Why use such nice hardwood? Well I hate MDF. A little moisture and its trashed. Plus, hey, its a Powermatic! I miss the miter track on the router table. The last photo shows the table modifications.
The machine arrived dead on time and I have to say the guys at Equipment Sales and Surplus in Washington state are super to deal with. I got a great deal, really. The ONLY shortfall to this machine was some of the fasteners used. I would prefer a case hardened bolt but they included cheap zinc coated machine screws. But, for $3 I used stainless (which looks super cool by the way!). WM corp was going to overnite new fasteners! I have to tell you that if you are considering the SawStop you should look seriously at this machine. SawStop may have the safety and it is great. But nothing is safer than ME. I rely on myself for my safety-PERIOD. No one will hurt me and I will never hurt anyone else. The accuracy of this machine is unbelievable right out of the box. I was proud i could hold .002-.003” tolerance on my old iron Ridgid. This holds .001” ‘nuff said! I’m rambling while waiting on the pictures to upload…...

Todd Turner