PM2000 vs New Unisaw

just – pick – one.

both are good saws and will serve you well for a long long time. there is no better or worse, they are just different colors (to simplify the equation).

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Either saw will be a great addition to your shop. I had the same problem and went with the 5hp delta and love it. If I had got the powermatic I know I would be equally as happy. It boils down to which on e you like best.

Both are high quality saws. Go with the one made in the USA.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Gawthrrw, I just recently went thru the same decision and ended up purchasing the Delta. Here’s why I purchased it and my reasoning. Since the Pm 2000 came out with the new design a few years back they have changed a few things on it since then. The fence was made by HTC now it’s not. The motors on the saws are different than when they first came out. (Pm Rep told me due to problems) they are still foreign and the Delta does not have a Baldor motor but it is a Marathon but still built in the USA. The ONYX looks really cool but it’s just paint and do you want to look good or work good. The casers on the Pm don’t lift the extension table when moving so you still need to get a base or some kind of wheels to the one end, Also the wheels work with the same crank as the tilt and I am not sure if I liked that? Yes the Delta needs a mobile base and with that it would cost a little more but at this point between the two it’s only a few dollars. (Remember extra wheels for the extension?)
With the Delta all the controls are up front and better gauges for accuracy. The riving knife has the adjustment and release up front as well and makes it a lot easier then the PM which you have to release from the inside. Also the Delta has grease fitting inside the saw to lube the guts of the saw. Dust collection is better I would say do to it sucks at the blade and within the cabinet but still leaves some. From most of my web site reviews from individuals I have read and talked with there were two kinds either ones that got a good Pm and liked it a lot or ones that had problems with fit and finish including the tops. (I did not read any that did not like their Delta but I am sure there are some) The Delta has a larger plate opening and the blade is back further and it has a larger cast iron top size. Plus the Delta if purchased by the end of the year has a $300.00 rebate. (I got mine from Tools Plus no tax and only $6.50 for shipping). The quality on my saw was great. The top was perfectly flat and the miter slot was right on to the blade. Negative things about the Delta are that the fence rail is aluminum instead of the traditional steel, which works good and will last but you cannot use magnets on it if you use jigs with the rail. They also changed the base from the one they show on all the sites so if you get there base you need to put leg levelers on it which cost about $20.00 but if you do that it works fine. If getting the Delta mobile base check into it and ask questions about it being different from that what is pictured. (Pm me if interested in the base and I can send you pictures of my base with the leg levelers I put oh it) Also the Delta went together really well and comes with DVD instructions to make it really easy to put together.
Okay then that about covers my experience with my new saw. It does cut really nice and runs very smooth with no vibration and it passed the nickel test with flying colors. I have not run one of the new Pm’s so I cannot comment on a comparison as far as that goes but I am glad I got my USA built Delta. But either way you will be glad you are upgrading to a cabinet saw.
Good luck with your purchase as I know it can be a difficult decision.

Richard

I don’t know anything about the PM saw. I have owned the “new” Unisaw for almost 2 years now and I am very happy with it. I also purchased the “Delta” mobile base. It has been excellent. I would not, I repeat, not purchase another mobile base other then the one from Delta.

As was mentioned in the earlier (very well written post) the Delta has the blade positioned farther forward (from the operator) than other saws. This takes a bit of getting used to expecially when doing lots of repetitive cuts with a cross cut sled (for example) but I like it. The riving knife/anti-kick-back paws, guard system is very very nice and user friendly. I, for the first time, actually use the saw with the guard in place most of the time.

Again, I can not compare the Delta to the PM but I can say that the Delta is a great saw. Also, like was stated earlier, I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

I’m glad you posted this as I am torturing myself with the same questions. Although, I must admit I am VERY tempted by the Grizzly G0690 (I have a small shop and cant fit an extension rail). I am going nuts trying to make a decision. I’m also a craigslist junky, scouring CL daily for new tablesaw listings. But I would hate to have cost be the only deciding factor and end up regretting it later. Good luck in your quest brother. I look forward to following this one.

-- "It's not a mistake. It's a design feature."

dnar stated:
I also purchased the “Delta” mobile base. It has been excellent. I would not, I repeat, not purchase another mobile base other then the one from Delta.
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In checking out the saw and reviews about the base the old one as you mentioned are good but they have changed the new base design with no center support which is why I stated you need to put the leg levelers on it in the middle. They also moved the lifting wheel to the end and that is an improvement so you can lift it easier.
I have been working with the Delta rep in regards to the new base and he stated that it was changed and Delta is looking at it to change it due to the problems as I stated with the new design.

Thanks rustynails. That was was a great review and exactly what i asked for. Like you I have not seen any bad reviews on the Delta which was not the case with the pm. I just wasnt sure if that was because it was a new saw or not, and maybe the reviews are scarce. The guy at woodcraft was trying to sell me the JET mobile base saying it was cheaper and just as good. danr stated that he would not purchase any other base than the delta. What makes that one better? Just curious. Thank you everyone for the info

-- Rob, Kalamazoo, MI

Both companies have reputations for good and bad things. The bad has arisen more recently.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

Alpha wrote: I’m glad you posted this as I am torturing myself with the same questions. Although, I must admit I am VERY tempted by the Grizzly G0690 (I have a small shop and cant fit an extension rail). I am going nuts trying to make a decision.
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I know what you mean. I have been losing sleep over this. I know I should be exuberent about having the oppurtunity to even get a new saw, as i know any one would be better than the old craftsman contractor saw i have now. Just FYI I have a friend that has the grizzly G0690 and in my opinion it didnt compare to the PM or the Unisaw. Now i havn’t cut anything with either of the later but the fit and finish on the two blew the griz away. Don’t want to offend anyone who own’s this saw because it is a good saw but I want the best quality i can get.

-- Rob, Kalamazoo, MI

well by just doing some price shopping on amazon I can get a 5hp uni saw for the price of the 3 hp powermatic. so lets see the all new and improved uni saw at 5hp or the old powermatic thats built like the old uni saw and only 3 hp. Now I know I will ruffle feathers but PM cabinet saws are just like everyone else’s cabinet saw, trying to be a uni saw.

-- I buy tools so i can make more money,so ican buy more tools so I can work more, to make more money, so I can buy more tool, so I can work more

Gawthrrw Till me again the reason you discounted the Sawstop. The uni the pm and sawstop are all withen a few hundred dollars. All would make a great addition to any shop. Could it be because of the rumour that all saws bought after 2012 will have the blade brake technology available as an upgrade. Just a thought. I’m in in the same boat.

-- Denis in Grande Prairie. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.....Pink !

I bought mine from Tools Plus they have by far the best prices around that I could find and get good reviews. If you are thinking about a new Uni-Saw the $300.00 rebate is only till the end of the year / 24 days! I got a special on mine when they had the “Tool A-Rama” sale and got a great deal. But they still have the best prices that I have found on one.
Also I left a message with the rep from Delta today and asked what was being done about the mobile base. He got back to me via e-mail and stated if anyone wanted to know about the base or more about the saw to contact him directly per his e-mail and he would answer any of your questions.

Delta Rep. >>>> Joe Brakhage <<<< joe.brakhage@dpec-na.com

Also my take on the Saw Stop is that it is a very good quality saw with lots of safety features and I would get one of those over the PM but me personally I did not like what I was reading about how people had to mess around with the electronics a lot to make the saw start and calibrating the electronics as well and you can’t cut any wood with high moisture like treated lumber and things like that. But don’t get me wrong like I said it’s a nice saw and I don’t want to get into a debate on that saw.

Thanks rustynail. I’m pretty sure i’m going to go with the Unisaw. I think its more bang for the buck and being made in the US will give me a little more pride in it lol. How was the shipping from Tools Plus? I’m planning on going back to woodcraft this weekend but if I can get it cheaper then heck yea? I think this thread will help a lot of people in the future and really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

-- Rob, Kalamazoo, MI

oh, and grumpy. The biggest reason I stopped looking at the Sawstop was like rustynails said, a lot of reviews I read people were saying that the safety was engaging at odd times and they were always stressed out about having a spare on hand. All this makes me wonder about 4, 5 years down the road? I personally just didnt feel sold on it. I know you can run it in bypass mode but then what was the point of spending the extra money?

-- Rob, Kalamazoo, MI