JET 708663RXCK10" XACTA Saw Left Tilt with 50" XACTA Fence, Cabinet, and XACTA Lift
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $2,800.00 -- our price: $2,399.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• 50" Xacta commercial fence
• 3 HP fan cooled motor
• Rail-mounted, magnetic on/off switch
• Precision ground 27" x 40" cast iron table
• Extra large cabinet measures contains router lift

Reviews (2)

jew xacta cabinet saw
The saw is awesome. I had some concerns from reading the other reviews, expecially pertaing to shipping damage, wrong pieces, poor manuals, etc. However I found all the manuals to be satifactory, not exclent but more than satisfactory, all pieces fit together nicely, however there were a few fasteners that were a lottle bit different than those described in the manual, but nothing that effected the final product- specificaly there were some bolts that held the tube that the fence rides on that were hex head bolts on my saw, but were shown to be flat head screws that would fit into countersinks in the rail- causing only a very minor cosmetic change. The palet that the saw came on had a retaining rim that fit tightly around the base of the saw and caused some very minor scuffs around the base. Again very minor, no one but me has even noticed them. Now to the shipping pain in the butt. I ordered the saw online and was estimated to recerive it in 2 weeks, after 3 weeks I got a shipment delay statement, and then 2 weeks later a cancelation statement. I then called the tool customer support line. They were very helpful, I would recomend calling to reorder from them, instead of online. The saw has gone up $500 since I ordered it and they honoerd the price at the time I ordered it, as well as shiping direct from the manufactuer. When it got to my freight dock there was a freight charge due, anoter call to the customer support took care of this problem too. I was out no money through the whole shipping ordeal, just frustration. Over all I would buy it again from Amazon, the price is the best anywhere, if I bought it localy I still would have paid freight, sales tax, and had to wait for delivery. The Saw is Awesome, Period.

Outstanding Tool
I just finished assembling this saw and making some test cuts and I have to say it's a great piece of machinery!Should provide a lifetime of fun projects.Here are my likes, dislikes and some helpful hints from my experience:

Likes:
Fit & Finish are great.All parts arrived in good condition.All hardware was included and assembly went smoothly.Instructions were good (some pictures), and in logical order.However, since the saw, fence, rails, table, cabinet and lift all come separately (5 boxes), each has it's own instructions - you have to figure out the overall order - pretty intuitive (I'll cover later).Great Power - a little noisy but that's the price of having a real powertool.Alignment was good out of the box.Fence action is smooth and locks solidly.Good adjustability on all parts.Using saw with Forrest WWII and it cuts like glass - see all the Forrest reviews - they're true!

Dislikes:
Plastic legs on cabinet are flimsy but functional.Since I'm using with a ShopFox mobile base, I'll end up making my own legs to fit the base extension anyway.

Watch out - Amazon free shipping ain't so free.Since this thing is 450lbs you will need to make arrangements with shipper - Amazon doesn't.Unless you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, you'll want to arrange for a truck with a liftgate and pallet dolly.While I'd think that after spending this much on a tool Amazon/Toolcrib would cover the *appropriate* shipping, my shipper (ABF Freight) ended up being cool and arranged to do so for free.Thanks to them :)

Assembly Recommendations:
Order of Assembly - 1)Saw/Extension Wings, 2)Fence Rails, 3)Cabinet (so you can set the tabletop on the cabinet to level it), 4)mountExtention Table to fence rails, 5) screw cabinet to tabletop, 6) Fence Guide/Fence/Blade Guard, 6) cabinet door/external shelf, 7) Router Lift

You have to wire the plug (220v - 20A)

WARNING - If installing the table shelf between the cabinet and the saw, double-check the template that is supplied (last page of manual).If I hadn't checked it by assembling the shelf with the mounting brackets and screws and holding it up to the saw, I would have ended up drilling 4 holes in my new table saw that resulted in a crooked/unlevel shelf (by 1/2")

Don't use the screws in the plastic door handle on the cabinet as the instructions suggest - just glue it in.The screws are too close to the surface and split the melamine face on the door

Be careful tightening the screws holding the fence guide to the front fence rail - I stripped one of the 5 even though I wasn't overtightening.

That's it.All in all I'm very pleased.Looked at Jet, Delta, DeWalt.Went with the Jet - felt I got more for the money compared to Delta and a higher performing tool compared to DeWalt, but was a little apprehensive of quality compared to Delta from other reviews.However, now that I have it, I can heartily recommend/endorse JET - any fears appear to be unfounded.Also have the JET air filter and 1100CFM dust collector and they're good too.After years of using an old radial arm saw for all my projects, my shop is off to a good start. ... Read more

Asin: B00005RHQ6
Sales Rank: 14411
Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Table Saws    3. Stationary Table Saws    4. (Tablesaws)   

Hitachi CB75F14-1/2" Resaw Band Saw
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $4,770.00 -- our price: $2,549.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Hitachi exclusive 5 year warranty
• Powerful 15 amp, 2.8 hp motor
• Table tilts at 45 degree
• 900 RPM with 11 13/16" height cut
• Rack and pinion fence adjustment

Reviews (12)

Over priced under powered
I obtained this saw from one of my Doctors hobby shop.I got it for $610.00.At this pice it is worth the money.I am a one man shop building custom furniture.It is great for matching pannels. It is underpowered for production.I was a tool and die maker with General Motors in the 60's.I took the saw apart and rebuilt it.There is no vibration and it cuts streight as an arrow.If you find a used one and need a dedicated resaw this one is great for the small shop. It shoud come with a 3hp motor and the price shoud be under $2,000 with all the guide attachments.The quality is top notch, no complaints in that department.I use a 3" carbide skip tooth blade on the saw.I never take it off.Happy Sawing.

The resaw seems uderpowered at time, but overall a fine saw
I have owned the resaw for six months now. I have used the saw to resaw maple and birch. The saw cuts the 8" plus wood nicely. I knew the motor was underpowered when I bought the saw. My shop is a one man shop, with not many time restraints, so not to big a problem for me. The motor never stalls and the resaw runs smoothly

Well Built But Underpowered
I have had my Hitachi bandsaw for about 4 years and have used it extensively to make bookmatched panels in addition to ripping boards in the rough.When properly set up and adjusted, it has performed well but I have found it to be frustratingly slow in its cut rate when resawing 8" to 10" wide walnut or hard maple boards. It does provide adequate tension for the 3 inch blade, being approximately 16000 psi when the adjustment is against the stop (blade manufacturers recommend a minimum of 15000 psi).Note, many bandsaws cannot attain proper tension with a resaw blade of even 1.0 inch width.

The pluses of the saw is that it is well made and easy to setup and adjust (provided that you know what you're doing).The minuses are its price and the fact that it is underpowered (the motor should be a 240 volt unit of at least 3 hp). ... Read more

Asin: B0000223KH
Sales Rank: 20956
Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)   

JET 708750G 18" Woodworking Bandsaw
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware

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Editorial Review

Designed for the professional woodworker, Jet's 18-inch band saw uses industrial-strength materials and accessories for long-lasting performance. The 1-1/2-horsepower induction motor is housed within a steel cabinet base and can be powered by either 115- or 230-volt sources. We found components to be finely finished with smooth castings and well-machined steel parts, as with all Jet band saws. European-style blade guides provide quick precision adjustments and full support, running cooler than traditional guides to extend blade life. This saw features a 10-1/4-inch-high and 18-3/8-inch-wide cutting capacity, 3,000 sfpm blade speed, and an offset, 19-by-19-inch tilting table with a T-slot miter gauge. Using blades from 1/8 of an inch to 1-1/2 inches, you can perform a wide variety of tasks, from cutting shapes to re-sawing large stock.

The hand wheel height-adjust operates smoothly, thanks in part to rack-and-pinion hardware. There's a well-placed tension-indicator gauge that works in conjunction with the conveniently located cast-iron wheel-control blade tension. We were thoroughly satisfied by the gripping power and glide of the T-style rip fence, and we especially like the pad-lockable start button that comes standard on all big Jet tools and prevents accidental start-up and unauthorized use. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Package includes 1/4-, 1/2-, and 1-inch blades, over an $82.00 value
• 1-1/2-horsepower induction motor can wired for either 115- or 230-volt sources
• Steel cabinet protects the motor from dust and debris
• Features a 10-1/4-inch-high and 18-3/8-inch-wide cutting capacity
• European-style blade guides provide quick, precise adjustments while running cooler

Reviews (15)

JET 18" BANDSAW
Purchased my Jet 18" bandsaw with 3/4", 4 tooth blade bout a year ago. Before purchasing this saw I searched for as much info on bandsaws that was available. I am 100% satisfied with it.
Everything I cut is hard wood. I have cut up to 6" thick and even with the 3/4" blade, it was no problem for this saw.
The table surface area is one of the largest on any saw. That's nice! It's easy to clean and the hand wheel adjustments for the cutting height and blade tensioner makes life good.
I don't believe there is a better 18" saw out there for the money.

Great saw
I, too, have had my 18" Jet bandsaw for almost a year, and it has been a pleasure to use in every respect. Mine arrived without damage or problem, and other than the difficulty of moving a 6' tall wooden crate weighing almost 400 pounds around, setup was straightforward and worked first time out.

I had some problems with blade drift (i.e., trouble cutting a straight line), which seemed to vary with the kind of wood, the blade used, and the tension. I finally made two purchases which I *highly* commend, both from Ittura Designs, a bandsaw supply company that provides an amazing range of accessories and expertise. The first is a tension gauge, to tell you how many psi you're really putting on the blade (note to experts: the Jet has no problem tensioning to 30,000 psi), but the turning point was a Lenox ProMaster iI carbide blade. This thing isn't cheap---over $100 for a single blade---but what an unbelievable difference! The tolerances and sharpness of this blade have made drift a thing of the past: I now cut through everything like a heated knife through butter. If you spend this much on a bandsaw, spend the extra $100 on one of these blades, otherwise you're wasting your time and your wood.

The finish on the saw seems good to these relatively inexperienced eyes; the dust collection works terrifically, and while the lower guides are indeed tough to adjust, the Euro-style rollers work well and seem to hold their adjustments. (One aside: a lot of bandsaw accessories, like zero-clearance inserts and Cool Blocks etc., don't seem to be available for the 18" Jet, so if you're a tweaker, you might want to look elsewhere).

In summary, this is my favorite tool in my workshop. When I started woodworking, I followed closely the "do you need a tablesaw, or can you make do with a bandsaw only" argument, and now that I've had my Jet for a year, with the ProMaster II carbide blade, I have no regrets about my decision to leave a tablesaw behind.

Okay quality for the price
I have owned this product for a year.Like most Jet equipment I own, this one arrived with minor (nuisance type) damage from being dropped.I am wondering if Tool Crib purchases the damaged equipment from Jet at a reduced price to garner higher profit margins.
The saw performs adequately although the accompanying blade did not have a long useful life.The rip fence is low quality and does not permit easy minor adjustments.The miter gauge is also poor quality.Maybe I'm spoiled by the more accurate fence on my table saw but for [price] I expected more attention to detail.
I am using the saw at the lower power level although it can be rewired for higher power.
I like the nice sized cast iron table but plan to build something larger to accommodate more intricate cutting.
The blade guides are not high quality and you should plan to purchase a better quality set. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OQM3
Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)   

These days, clean air is a must for any shop. JET's three-speedair filtration system is a great buy for a midsize shop, cycling allthe air in a 40-by-40-by-10-foot room up to 14 times in one hour.Unlike many of the competing products, JET's air cleaner comes with aremote control, allowing you to turn it on and off, or switch from lowto medium to high, from anywhere in your shop. (This is especiallyhandy if you mount your system to an out-of-the-way section of ceiling,where it might not be so easy to reach.) JET's air cleaner also has abuilt-in timer with settings of two, four, and eight hours. You canleave the system on and go to bed and it will turn itself off while yousleep. You'll also be pleased with how quiet this system is. Even whenset on high, the noise is comparable to that of a standard floor fanblowing through a living room. It's really just background white noise,and isn't a distraction at all. The system's three filters--anelectrostatic filter, the eight-bag inner filter, and the diffuserfilter--combine to remove 99 percent of all particles 5 microns in sizeand 85 percent of particles 1 micron in size. The end result is a shopthat's a lot healthier to breathe in, which lets you worry about moreimportant things, such as the woodworking project at hand. --JonGroebner ... Read more

Features

• Filters 99% of all particles, five microns in size and 85% of particles one micron in size
• Uses a convenient standard size outer filter
• Comes with a remote control for convenience
• Designed to be set on a workbench or hung from the ceiling

Asin: B00005A3GZ
Subjects:  1. Vacuums    2. Dust Collectors    3. Air Cleaners    4. (Vacumes)    5. (Vaccuums)    6. (Vaccums)    7. (Vacums)   

Delta 37-361 12" Jointer (For Model DJ-30 Jointer)
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $4,708.62 -- our price: $3,799.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 3 hp, 230V, single phase induction motor for powerful cutting action
• Delivers 15,000 cuts per minute for a smooth finish
• 12-inch width capacity for larger projects
• Center-mounted, rack an pinion fence for easy adjustment

Reviews (4)

The General is Better for the money
I have looked at several 12" joiners, even though all my aspiring cabinet maker friends say I will never need more than an 8" joiner. (fools that they are!) Only the General (Canadian, not taiwanese )offers the helical head cutter as an option in the 12" joiner. Add to this the General reputation for qualtiy and dependability and the same approximate price point and you have an unbeatable value. I would wait to set if Powermatic comes out wih a 12" with helical cutters but why hope for something in 2004-5 when you can have it now?

Oh, Grizzly makes a 12" joiner with helical head also, but who wants to take a chance on them? I can't "bear" the thought of wasting my money. (Ha Ha)

Awful
This product gets horrible reception, I can barely make out shapes and colors. It costs a fortune and almost killed my dog!

Pretty basic for the money
first off, I have to say that the notion of getting the widest jointer you can afford is absolutely correct.I had a 6" Delta for several years, and was always an inch or two shy of being able to easily flatten the typical board.Now - no problem - its rare that you run across anything more than 10" wide.

I've had this jointer (single phase motor) for a couple of years now.After considering several brands in and around this size, including the new line of Grizzly, General International, and a Brazilian brand that made jointers for Delta (I believe Invicta), even with the added cost I decided to get Delta because . . . well, its Delta.They've been very good anytime I've had a problem with one of their machines.

So, this machine is very solid, and does its job well.But - the blades are relatively difficult to change, particularly when compared with other brands.You can't get it with a Tersa cutter.The dust collection is poor; for fine cuts its constantly clogging right below the cutter hed.The lever action height adjustment is more difficult to fine adjust than a wheel.On the up side, the cast iron came in flat to a couple thousandths, and had pretty much stayed that way (cast iron continues to shrink for a couple of years after its been cast and machined - inexpensive cast iron needs to be continuously adjusted, and occasionally remachined).

So, if for a lot of money you are OK with a very solid jointer, this works fine (even if made in Tawain).But in retrospect, I'd take a much closer look at the other brands that offer more features and have improved their service. ... Read more

Asin: B00002238N
Sales Rank: 39305
Subjects:  1. Jointers    2. Stationary Jointers   

Delta 22-470 24" Planer
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $5,293.00
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Features

• 7-1/2 HP, 230-volt, /460-volt, 3 phase induction motor
• Capacity: 24 inches wide by 8-5/8-inch thick
• Feed rate: 20/30 feet per minute
• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Reviews (1)

Really good
I also found this planer for a very good price, and 24 inch capicty is useful, anda great time saver because it allows you to plane 2 or more boards at once. I just wish there were more speed rates like on the powermatics, but it is good and for the price supurb. Its a very solid tool with plenty of power and well worth is especialy for rough stock, and also saves alot of money. ... Read more

Asin: B00004THZH
Sales Rank: 33127
Subjects:  1. Planers    2. Stationary Planers    3. (Planners)    4. (Plainers)    5. (Surface Planers)   

Performax 637003 37" Heavy Duty Supermax Dual Drum Sander
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $5,160.00
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Features

• New performax sandsmart control provides perfect feed rates
• Performance and accuracy all in one machine, perfect for hard to plane wood
• Two sanding drums, enables 2 grits to be used at once, saving time
• 5 hp, 1 ph,230v, 20 amp motor
• Provides a full 37 inch in one pass, plus has dust control

Reviews (2)

Excellent tool!
I dont know what the other guys doing wrong, I would guess he needs to put on a corser belt, but this thing is by far one of the best tools I have, and I dont know of anyone with a performax sander that doesnt like it. This machine has tons of power, it is easy to burn up a belt if you use too high a grit and try to take off a lot, but if you use the proper grit for the job you are doing, then it does a great job in half the time of a wide belt.This is a 5 horse industrial motor, that weighs a ton.This is a great tool, period!

Save your Money
If your going to spend this much on a sander spend a little more and get you a wide belt.This sander is way under powered for its size.I was lucky enough to try one out before I spent the money on one.When trying to sand a 15 inch wide bench seat the smart sand unit slowed the feed belt down to almost nothing and I was sanding less than 10/1000 of an inch. This caused the drums to burn the wood as there is no way for the heat to dispate from the drums at such a slow feed rate.The 5 horse motor would not be enough for 1 drum let alone two 37 inch wide drums.Professional belt sanders use a 20 horse motor for just one 37 inch wide sander and if they go up to two heads the first sanding head has a 30 horse motor.The pros know if you want a good sanding job it takes a lot of power.The feed belt is just a wide sanding belt and if it is anything like the 22-44 performax that I have owed for years you will be changing it at least annually.Because it is not a standard size you will be spending big buck to get the replacement.The sandpaper hold downs are not all that great.They let the sandpaper overlap on the edges which is also a cause of the burning I saw.Instead of using ball bearings for the conveyor rollers, brass bushings are used which have a tendency to wear out. Plan on spending a lot of time maintaining this machine. The drive for the feed conveyor is on the infeed side of the table which causes the feed sandpaper to be pushed through the machine rather than pulled.This causes tracking problems with the belt. Have you ever tried to push a rope?To overcome this problem Performax uses a ceramic block on each side of the belt to keep it from hiting the metal sides of the feed coneyor.These blocks are one of the reasons you will be spending $75 for sandpaper feed belt each year. All I can say is if you want a sander this wide look for a good uses widebelt which won't cost you much more than this one.You will be disapointed with this one if you get it. ... Read more

Asin: B0000225PU
Sales Rank: 27601
Subjects:  1. Sanders    2. Drum Sanders   

Powermatic 1791263K Model 719A Hollow Chisel Mortiser
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $960.00 -- our price: $799.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Serious craftspeople looking for a dedicated shop machine should consider the Powermatic hollow chisel mortiser. This tool features heavy-duty cast-iron construction, and its 1-horsepower motor turns 1,725 rpm, supplying plenty of power--we made 1/2-inch cuts in a few choice hardwoods with no problem at all. The sliding table rides smooth and sure with depth and length stops and front-mounted hand wheels for linear and cross adjustments. Rack-and-pinion gearing raises and lowers the entire motor head and feeds the mortiser solidly into work. We like the removable, see-through plates for easy access to the chuck and find the lock knob for securing the chisel convenient. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Two-year warranty
• Chisel and bit capacity of 1/4- to 1-inch
• Adjustable stops for setting depth of cut
• Swing away plate allows access to chuck
• Adjustable operating handle

Reviews (13)

I thought the Delta 14-651 Mortiser would do the job...oops!
Think of the engineering behind the task. You are taking a square chisel, and not slamming it into some wood with a mallet, but rather taking a long slow plunge. Plunging hardwoods like oak, cherry, maple etc. makes you think it is actually a near impossible task. It is helped because the bit in the center is drilling the core, making it easier for the chisel to scrape the walls down. This process is really a challenge for a drill press with a mortising attachment. Some say it could eventually waste a drill presses bearings. Ok so I stepped up to the plate and bought the Delta 16-541. It appeared to be the best out of the smaller dedicated mortisers, and it does do a nice job. That is as long as you are not doing mortises on anything larger than 4 inches. If your making doors, you need to convert the machine with a base spacer, which takes time, adjustment, and disables the adjuster on the fence. If you are an occasional Mortiser, that will suffice. The range of motion on the Delta is only a little over 3 inches. The 1/2hp motor is adequate, but the bit/motor jammed on me twice in a single project. I had to take the bit apart, clean, realign, and reinstall. I also had to be careful to manually keep the wood tight up against the fence. (No clamp)
All of this takes me to the fullest appreciation of the Powermatic and why I ordered the 719A. The fence has a large quick holding clamp, that assures you that your work is going to stay in a perfect line against the fence. The entire table moves left to right with a 16 inch range, and 4 1/2 inch range front to back by using the large wheels on the front. You simply crank with one hand, and plunge with the other. That is efficiency. If you are using a 1/2" bit, and want to make a 1" mortise, you can use the other wheel, move it back a half inch and finish the run. The Powermatic sports a 1 HP motor, twice that of the Delta, therefore it accepts bits up to 1 inch. So you can even make 1" mortises in a single pass. If you look at the very long plunge handle, you can see that it would be easy to create a lot of leverage.
I was concerned about the board capacity in size, so I called Powermatic. The rep measured the distance between the chuck, and the TOP of the fence, and it measured 9 inches. Add to that the 4 inch height of the fence, and you can see that this is a machine with a large capacity. It also has a plunge range of motion of 8 or 9 inches according to the rep. You can see that the Powermatic will handle most any size board. Using the large control wheel, moving the fence front to back, with a range of 4 1/2 inches, means you could put a mortise in the center of an 8" thick beam. Simply put, you don't need to disassemble anything for a full range of sizes. If you are doing repetitive runs, there is a built in adjustable stop on the right side. With a 282 pound shipping weight, you can put in a good size board, clamp it in, and not worry about it tilting onto the floor.
A last few considerations; It is shipped in two boxes, and one of them is 240 pounds. So my advice is to pay the twenty five dollars extra (current rate) for lift gate service. That way you don't have someone waiting in the truck while you offload the crate from a high bed truck. If you are unloading alone, your back is worth more than that.
The only downside is that the purchase does not include any chisel and bit sets. They are extra. Although I can see why Powermatic would do it that way, considering that Deltas bits, and several others fit the machine as well. That way you can get it for a more competitive price, and add the chisels only as you need them. I asked if the Delta chisels were as good as the Powermatics, and the rep professionally did not make an assertion, but I got from the tone of his voice that they were not. In all fairness Delta has two levels of chisels, at two different price points. Their professional bits are highly rated.
This Powermatic is a great commercial/industrial grade piece of equipment, that should give you a lifetime of service. The efficiency created with the unit will more than pay for itself. A foot activated automatic Mortiser is even more efficient, but you can only justify that level of price tag if you are mortising all day for a living. This Powermatic 719A fills the bill perfectly for a wood working professional, and the serious enthusiast. Highly recommended.

Great Machine
The machine took a month to arrive.Take Amazon's shipping estimates with a grain of salt.It was easy to assemble while laying down (as other recommenders on this site suggested).However, it was a bear to stand up by myself (other recommenders on this site seemed to imply that it was easy).I would suggest asking a friend to help.The manual leaves a little to be desired.The mortiser itself, on the other, hand meets or exceeds my expectations.So far it seems well worth the investment.

Powermatic gets it right.
I unpacked my Powermatic Mortiser and had it up and running in about half an hour.My former tool was a bargain basement type mortiser.Not bad, but hard to set up and get consistent results.I heard the stories about drill press adapters and decided not to go there even though Jet had supplied one with my drill press as a freebie.It's still in the box.Here are three things I would recommend Powermatic attend to.

1.A threaded rod with nuts on the left/right table would make setting the length of the mortise easier and more accurate.I used this scheme on my homemade version.

2.Larger threads on the set screws for the stops would be some added insurance over the long haul.

3.I use a dial indicator to set up some of my machines.I can "dial in" a setting with less fuss and more accuracy.For the heck of it, I put the dial indicator on the bed of the Powermatic mortiser.Over the length of the left/right travel, it had about 0.015" inches run-out.That means for a two-inch mortise there would be less than 0.002" error over its length.For machine tools, 0.015" would be unacceptable.I was surprised to see that much in an x-y table.For woodworking, I wouldn't worry about it.I mention it only to let the Powermatic boys know we're watching you.

Outside of my nit picking, this is one solid, well-made tool.Considering how rapidly and accurately it turns out work, it will be quite a money saver in the long run.

21-Apr-2005
After a few dozen mortises the position of the mortise starts to wander.The dial indicator showed quite a bit of slop in the vertical gibs.A few minutes of adjusting and a shot of aerosol grease and all is well.I check it from time to time but have yet to adjust it again.The bar that holds the left/right stops needed a bit of tightening at the ends.The stops themselves hold pretty well if you're careful not to whack them too hard when you move the bed.I found some parts in my junk box to make a stop for forward/backward motion.This improves the accuracy when making mortises that are wider than the hollow chisel.This might be a good thing to add to future versions.

Consistent light pressure on the clamp works best.Over tightening causes the location of the clamp to wander a bit and the flexture in the workpiece can affect accuracy.A more robust attachment for the clamp would be a good improvement.

Helpful tip:For mortises that show, i.e., not covered by a shoulder or have the tenon protruding from the mortise, scorethe cross grain edge of the mortise before using the Mortiser.Removing the drill from the hollow chisel and setting up your stops makes the Mortiser into a layout tool for the exact locations of the mortise.Make a shallow mark at either end of the stops.Connect the dots with a knife or chisel to eliminate crushed fibers at ends of the mortise.On through mortises start from the "show" side.Stop short of having the hollow chisel go all the way through.Only let the drill break through the back surface and trim with a chisel.A backup piece will not prevent the chisel from tearing out with brittle woods like oak.Flipping the workpiece and cutting from the reverse side often results in a bent mortise.Better to cut deep from the one direction and trim.

Another helpful tip:One of the complaints about hollow chisel mortisers is how the drill sometimes makes a hole wider than the hollow chisel.This leaves an unsightly circular bite along the edge of the mortise.A simple solution to this is to CAREFULLY file the circumference of the business end of the drill until it is smaller than the width of the hollow chisel.Mount the drill on blocks and check with a dial indicator to keep the filing concentric.The slightly smaller drill removes less material, but the difference in force necessary to push the hollow chisel is insignificant.If the drill is slightly out of round, not to worry.It's the hollow chisel that makes the final cut. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OQMC
Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. Mortisers    3. (Drils)    4. (Mortise)    5. (Mortising Machines)   

Powermatic 1352000Wood Turning Lathe
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $4,534.00 -- our price: $2,499.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Positive cam action locking device for easy locking and unlocking
• 2-horsepower, three-phase motor, with one phase inverter allows turning at a very low rpm without stalling
• Variable Speed ranges from 0 to 1,200 and 0 to 3,200 rpm
• 34-1/2 inches between centers
• 1-3/8-inch-diameter quill with over 4 inches of travel

Reviews (11)

Everything You Can Ask For
I won't continue with all the well-deserved praise for this lathe since the other reviewers have definitely made the point.What I will say is do your homework to find the best price, then call ToolCrib (Amazon) and use their price-matching guarantee.

I saved about $75 by checking SouthernTool.com first, which also offers free shipping.

ToolCrib delivers to the ground, unlike alot of curbside delivery options where you're expected to get it off of the truck.This is HUGE considering you're dealing with a peice of equipment that weighs in at around 700 lbs.

Did I mention that I love this lathe?Rock solid, quiet, smooth,...oh yeah, I wasn't going to repeat what everyone else says...

Enjoy!

Exceeded Expectations
It is a pleasusre to review the Powermatic 3520A, a tool that truly exceeds all expectations.
The Powermatic is an upgrade for me, intended to replace an antique Rockwell Model 46-111 that suffered having only four speeds and a 5.5 inch swing over bed.The upgrade is dramatic having passed a severe test by successfully turning a fourteen pound green mesquite log that made the Rockwell lathe dance across the shop floor.By comparisson, the Powermatic just stood there running as smooth as a raw egg floating in a bucket of warm oil; not even a ripple.Torque at low speed proved to be most impressive and very useful in my turning projects.Additionally, the adjustments to the headstock, tail stock, spindle and tool rest can all be accomplished with one hand. What a surprise; not even once did these adjustment require the use of a wooden mallet that remained within easy reach of the Rockwell lathe.Manual speed change was also found to be without difficulty and the guard assembly demonstrated to be a welcome addition.
However, a few criticisms were discovered.It is assumed that the finger guide on the tool rest is nothing more than a straight edge; big deal.The digital speed readout leaves a lot to be desired in that it is located on the backside of the headstock and requires a factor of nine on low speed and factor of twenty-four on highspeed to approach the actual rpm.Located directly below the digital "speed" readout are a wonderfully tempting set of buttons; however, the instruction manual states that they should, "..never be pushed at any time".Especially disappointing was the discovery that an indexer must be purchased as an optional accessory.Even the old Rockwell has a locking indexer that could be readily engaged and disengaged with my handy mallet.Powermatic would be advised to incorporate the locking indexer into the handwheel.Furthermore, while making improvements it would be further suggested that the tool support remaing bare metal where the hand tools make contact; just above the finger guide!
Overall, I like the five star rating and consider the Powermatic 3520A to be a real bargain, especially if one considers the cost per pound.

You won't be sorry!
I have used the Powermatic 3520a for about 2 years now and am thoroughly pleased with it. Having started started out with a Jet mini lathe, I soon outgrew it and before long, wanted to turn bigger things. A lathe is a big investment and so a lot of thought should be put into it's purchase. As much as I would have wanted a Oneway, I opted on the Powermatic because of price and functionality. This lathe is a beauty to operate - though I'm not fond of the color - hey, a girl likes some color! Kidding aside - I love the Powermatic. It is smooth and has plenty of power, easily handling the Kel McNaughton bowl coring/saver system. If you get a chance - demo one before you buy - and get a feel for what suits you, after that, it's just a matter of matching the feel - to the pocketbook! Oh, & by the way - I 'had' to give it 4 stars simply because it lacks indexing capabilities. You can buy an indexing attachment or make one yourself. Good luck and let the shavings fly - thedebs.com ... Read more

Asin: B0000225RT
Sales Rank: 9222
Subjects:  1. Lathes    2. Stationary Lathes    3. (Laths)