| Review by Tablesawed | posted 219 days ago | 1485 views | 0 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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- Powermatic PM2000 10-Inch Cabinet Saw
- Brand: Powermatic | Category: Tablesaws
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A while ago I posted a very poor review of the Grizzly 1023slw. This saw was its replacement.
I purchased the Powermatic with a 3hp single-phase motor. It is quite a saw. I bought it because I couldn’t find a SawStop anywhere locally, and I didn’t want to wait. I bought the new PM2000 off a showroom floor. It was delivered basically for free. It is (mostly:read on) a dream to operate. Very smooth operation, very precise cuts. very finely tuned. Now for the not-so-great part. I couldn’t move the saw around my very small shop (a necessity) because the mechanism to operate the wheels didn’t work. And, if they did, I then couldn’t tilt the blade (same handcrank for both on this saw).
The saw came with a retractable base assembly that allows for the lowering/raising of the wheels under the base of the cabinet. You pull out the blade-tilting handwheel to engage the bushing that then engages the shaft to turn the chains to lower or raise the wheels.
However, dang thing was a bear to put into the position to turn the crank to lower or raise. It wouldn’t engage. It took a ton of force to move in or out. And then, it didn’t turn more than one or two revolutions once it did engage. Great design, but it didn’t allow me to turn the wheels. I could barely move the wheel! Had to use a rubber hammer just to get it to move! “Hmmm,” I thought. “This can’t be right.” Then, if I was able to persuade any wheel adjustment, I couldn’t then tilt the blade. I would crank and crank and nothing moved anywhere.
So, back to the tool place I went. A new one was set up there. “CLICK” out came the handwheel, which then operated like a dream. “For the love of…” I can’t believe this. “So that’s what it’s supposed to do!” I called Powermatic. This seemed like something that a professional should be fixing. I initially thought there was a bearing or something that was bound up.
I called WMH toolgroup (Powermatic). After several missed connections and several tries for suggestions, they sent out a guy to fix it. After several hours and lots of bolts being undone, he took the assembly (parts) with him for replacement. After a couple of weeks he returned and after a few choice phrasings trying to reassemble, he got it all back together. Only to find: it still didn’t work. Same problem: shaft is at angle and just bound up. A couple of turns of the crank and it would be near impossible to turn any further.
“I’m going to suggest that they replace the saw,” he said. “Huh?” I said. To their credit: they offered immediately to do so. That is good customer service: fair and responsive. I’m still thinking about just returning it, as I now am within driving distance of a tax-free purchase of a SawStop.
I realize that there are no perfect products, but good customer/product support makes all the difference.
In terms of the saw’s operation and performance: Nice! The only complaint would be the flimsy extension table. This is pretty cheaply made. The laminate is weak, and the legs connect pretty poorly (4 small wood screws into the particle board that supports the top). Also, the cast-iron top seems particularly prone to scratches. Has anyone else experienced this? Finally, the fence had quite a bit of waver in the surface of the plastic. I ran a dial-indicator from beginning to end and was very surprised at what I found there.
The saw does have power though. It is smooth and strong. This makes a big difference with critical cuts that you’ll need and that really show in the finer details of your craft’s results.
The only suggestion I’d make to others considering this saw (if you need the extension to be this big) is to spend the extra money on a cast-iron top for the extension and forgo the black laminate one. Also, if you absolutely don’t cut sheet goods regularly, don’t even opt for the huge extension. I cut my sheet goods on 4 inch piece of stiff stryofoam insulation with a zero-clearance plate I fashioned with my skilsaw, right on the shop floor. Super clean and very precise cuts. I never used that length of extension except as a bench top, and I already have one of those.
I especially loved the riving knife, the dust collection (though I had to attach a band clamp to hold the hose on inside the cabinet), the fence, the bladeguard(s), and the power switch. A very stable saw, what with all the weight. Lots of thought went into this saw, and it shows. It is a precise instrument. It’s unfortunate that I received one that came inoperable in one very important aspect.
I’m currently considering returning it and purchasing the SawStop. I loved the safety features of this PM2000, and I’d like to up the ante one more by including a brake. I think the savings to any medical bills are easy math. And, I see enough of this industry’s big names adopting the full-time use of the SawStops. Their example means a lot to me.
13 comments so far
oldwoodman
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98 posts in 294 days
posted 219 days ago
Thanks for the review. The Powermatic PM2000 is on my dream list and if I had the money I would buy one. But I like to read objective reviews of machinery that are not afraid to point out flaws or shortcomings. Hopefully, the problems you encountered are not the norm.
Goog luck in making your decision of whether or not you keep the saw.
Scott Bryan
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20725 posts in 718 days
posted 219 days ago
Thanks for the review. I had one of these on my list for the longest time since I am a Powermatic fan. I have always had a great deal of respect for the PM2000 as a quality saw. It is good to hear about the customer service being good as well. I have several PM tools and have never had to use customer service so it is good to know that they are so responsive.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
RWR
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41 posts in 498 days
posted 219 days ago
Sorry to hear you had trouble with your Powermatic PM2000…I just purchased one in March from CPOPowermatic which included a 3HP Baldor motor and free shipping. I think this saw is simply
awesome, very stable and accurate. Everything about mine was great…...dead flat table, etc.
All I had to really do was align the blade to the miter slot (off 0.007). Especially like the riving knife and
the fence system. Since the table board is attached to the fence rails front and back I find it to
be sturdy and stable. I would agree though that they could have done better on the legs, but
in reality…you don’t really need them anyway. Good luck with your Sawstop, it too is a great
table saw.
-- Wayne
BTKS
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489 posts in 361 days
posted 219 days ago
Sounds like you found an excellent product and service. Enjoy the precision.
BTKS
Trailer_man
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9 posts in 263 days
posted 219 days ago
Dear Tablesawed,
Please do not take offense to the following but did I miss something? You stated that the guy tried to fix it, left for a few weeks and then returned? How is not having parts on hand after you described the problem to them on the phone good service? Did the guy have any new parts in an attempt to make it work right while he was there? How is being gone for weeks only to tell you that you need a new saw good service? Did they drive to China to pick up the parts?
Again please don’t take offense, but I would be mad that you had all this hassle and they gave you a fix that could have been given during the first visit.
Concerning the SawStop. I’m interested in know if anyone has had the stop mechanism activate without cause. A false trigger could get expensive.
Tablesawed
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19 posts in 694 days
posted 219 days ago
Hi Trailer_man -
No offense taken. It’s all a matter of perspective for me at this point. You should read the post that I did about the customer service that I received from Grizzly. There, I was simply “reasoned with” to accept that the saw was in working order, then after the warranty ran out, the arbor assembly (main bearing) bit the dust. I’m kind of 0 for 2 here on the saws.
About this one; I didn’t include the details about the missteps in the beginning. I didn’t need to move the saw for the first month, so I just used it in place. After, I called and then WMH Toolgroup didn’t call me back for a bit. I wasn’t in any big hurry, as I was doing a lot of yard work and what not. I’d already finished the wood projects for which I’d bought the saw. I really just had a lot of other things to be doing in my spare time.
Finally I called them back, and then this process began. I was actually okay with WMH Toolgroup. My bigger concern was when the repair guy used the cast iron tabletop as a workbench as he hammered the replacement bearing back into the new assembly. He “boogered it up” as he put it. When I explained this to WMH, they didn’t blink for a second when offering a replacement.
Your point is well taken. But, I was coming from atrocious service with Grizzly, and at least things were in place with WMH.
About the SawStop. I may have spent a little too much time researching the saw if anything. I do know that they are still offering free replacements on the brakes that fire (if you send them the used one for research). Also, there is an override key for moist wood and other materials. I haven’t read a single report of a false fire that didn’t come from some errant contact with the blade. I have read many reports of users taking extra precautions to avoid the firing of the brake, and a moment to take stock of their situation as the saw readies itself with the code status before a cut. Seems like it actually leads to more awareness of contact because of its technology. I really like what Tommy MacDonald, Charles Neil, and other notables have done with their very extensive online video reviews of the SawStop saw and its form and function.
Rj
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563 posts in 527 days
posted 219 days ago
Hi Tablesawed I own the SawStop and love it !!! I only had one issue when I first got it the fence was not quite true – They sent me a new one (took 5 days to get to me) And let me keep the original one (I use it for my router side of the saw) .
You mentioned your top seems to scratch easily, I noticed the top on the SawStop does also.
On the stop mechanism I’ve never had it activate prematurely, But I always make sure I’m not cutting green wood or metals with it activated and I Always adjust the distance from the brake to blade when installing a blade!!!
In my opinion you can’t go wrong with a SawStop = Customer service is Great and the security when using it is a load off my mind -I still use it carefully as Breaks are not cheap not to mention a new Blade???
P.S If you can get a SawStop Tax Free Go for It
If you have any questions feel free to ask / you can see mine in my workshop photos
Hope this Helped Rj
-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,
CharlieD
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87 posts in 613 days
posted 219 days ago
I bought the contractor model SawStop and I’m very pleased with it. Besides the safety features the “fit and finish” is Lexus quality. Sorry you had a bad experience and wanted to let you know that I don’t think you can beat the SawStop… should you decide to replace your saw.
-- Charlie, Humble, Texas
woodfly
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14 posts in 245 days
posted 219 days ago
After several years of saving, I had saved the money to buy a PM2000 but then decided to go with a Steel City. I got greedy I guess. I felt the money I saved with the SC would go a long way toward updating my shop with additional tools. Bad decision! I’ve had issues with the SC and their customer service is not very good/helpful. Should have stuck with the PM. It sounds like PM understands the meaning of “customer service”
-- Mike
Jim
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51 posts in 974 days
posted 219 days ago
I have had a PM2000 for a year now and I have no complaints. In fact, I would give it 5 stars. The only manufacturing ‘defect’ was that the Powermatic emblem on the front was upside down. I purchased mine through Woodcraft and customer service was, and is, excellent. Originally they even sent me two saws! Oops! Yes, I did tell them and returned the second!
-- Jim, www.greenteawoodworking.com
747DRVR
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47 posts in 253 days
posted 218 days ago
After reading all of the Laguna post it is nice to hear that PM sent someone there to try to fix the problem.It is also nice that they were reasonably quick to offer you a new one.In regards to the SS,I’ve heard most false triggers are the result of blade contact with the miter guage.Very wet pressure treated wood may set it off but I would not be cutting that with a SS.If in doubt about any wood you can test it by touching the blade while the machine is turned off
araldite
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15 posts in 300 days
posted 217 days ago
I bought a PM 2000 a few months ago and it had exactly the same problem. I called Powerrmatic (WMH) and spoke to a guy in tech service who said he would get back to me after he looked up the closest repair man. He called me back in about an hour and gave me the name of a guy they use for their industrial machinery and who happens to live 10 minutes from me. Before I could call him, he called me and said he would be at my house first thing the next day. He came as promised and spent several hours working on it and eventually it became clear we had to put the machine on it’s side and remove the entire base. He took the base to his house where he had to use a special puller to remove the caster lifters, three of the four were solidly locked up. He called me later that day to inform me he had contacted PM and they were over night delivering new caster lifters. He was back the next day with the base repaired and we reassembled the machine. The machine now raises and lowers very easily needing only one hand to crank it up and down. Also, since I spent time helping him take it apart and put it back together, the PM tech service guy sent me a dado insert for free. He offered me other things but that’s what I was going to buy anyway. Based on my experience, I rate their tech service response spectacular, 5 stars. After I got everything realigned, the machine works like a dream, I would rate it 5 stars.
-- Vince in Greenville, SC
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 876 days
posted 217 days ago
Hi Tablesawed;
A nicely done review.
My 20” Powermatic planner also had trouble with the built in mobile base. Actually, the first machine delivered to my shop only ran for about 10 minutes, before the motor quit.
The dealer wanted me to install a new capacitor on the motor. I pointed out that the machine was less than an hour old, and didn’t think the repair was something I should have to do. Plus we are woodworkers, not electricians. It’s not like they gave me the machine, or a cheap machine model. Also the mobile base didn’t work.
So the dealer sent me a new machine. On this one, the base was bent. It would appear that the base is just too light to handle the weight of the machine. We did bend it back to it’s original position, but it bent back as soon as we tried to move the machine.
Also, a terrible belt slap occurs whenever it is turned on. I called the factory, after adjusting the belt tension according to the manual, and they told me this is normal, due to the torque of the 5 H.P. motor.
Other than this, the machine does work very well, and is worth the money.
Would I buy the same thing again, Absolutely, especially since I rarely have to move it.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com