Purchasing new or used cabinet saws.

I don’t have any advice other than to continue what your are doing. Several of the woodworking forums have swap and trade sections that may help. I got a 20+ yr old PM 66 in trade for cabinets that I’ ve yet to build. There may be a tool consignment shop in your area. You could also post wanted to buy ads on craigs list and on the forums. I see nice looking cab saws, both PM and Delta Unisaws, all the time on craigs list in my area, just be patient. You can get a great used saw for less than you’d pay for a new piece of junk. You might want to take a look at Old Wood Working Machines, owwm.com. They specialize in older American woodworking machines, but it sounds like you realize old iron is of much higher quality than new. Good luck.

-- Glen

Branum, if you are looking for a new saw, you might want to take a look at CPOPowermatic or CPOJet:. They offer excellent pricing on new saws with delivery to your door and your purchase may qualify for free shipping.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

I would keep an eye on Ebay and Craigs List. I often see used cabinet saws on there. Craigs List is of course more local. I bought my Powermatic 66 a few years ago on Ebay from a guy in Worthington MN and although its an 1988 model, its like new and runs great. Another place is mybidmn.com. They auction used machinery. Good luck !

PS: I forgot to add that there is a place in Fridley, just south of Northtown Mall called Tried and True Tools which has a large inventory of used equipment too.

http://www.mybidmn.com/cgi-bin/mncal.cgi?mybidmn

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Craigslist is the best thing going! Practically my entire shop came from there at a fraction of the retail prices. It also allows you to acquire a ton of accessories included for free. After all, once the guy sells the machine he doesn’t need the accessories or jigs that he has. For example my table saw came with two extra blades, a dado set, a mobile base, a beissemeyer fence, beissemeyer cut-off stop, and two cross-cut sleds. I was so happy with the price that I would have bought the saw without all that stuff!

Always remember….friends don’t let friends pay retail!

Craigslist might be best. Another suggestion is to talk to any woodshops or small business manufacturers in your area. Alot of places are moving to the StopSaw and are retiring their “unsafe” tablesaws. No harm in talking to the manager and see if they want to get rid of a “unsafe” saw.

I am in the same boat and have been watching Craigslist for several weeks, and have found several good saws, but they often go fast if the pricing is right. I did a bunch or research on old saws and the internals of the unisaws are almost the same today as they were when they first came out, so getting parts if something was to break is easier. The PM 66 are in the same boat, but have not been made as long so there are not as many out there. They are both killer saws. I am kicking myself for missing the restored 1947 unisaw with 52 inch beisemeyer for 550.00 a couple weeks ago. Someone got a killer deal. Good luck on finding a saw.

The one feature you might consider on a new saw is a true working riving knife not a splitter. My main regret with the shop fox saw I own is a riving knife. You may also check out the new dust collection feature, some saws are coming with dust shrouds around the blade with a hose connected to the dust port on the back making for more efficient dust extraction. One more cool thing I’ve seen some have a digital display on the bevel adjustment. These are small features I wish I had. I am working on a shop made solution for the dust shroud at the moment, but probably have no chance of adding a working riving knife. Hope this is helpful to you, good luck.

-- Aaron - central California "If you haven't got the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over?"