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Told me to look at the belt to see if it was tight. He said if I'd do what he was telling me, and found the damaged part, that they would "ship one right out to me".like "what's wrong with you" attitude. When power applied, it would turn an inch or so, then trip the circuit breaker. Huge disappointment for a one year old top-of-the-line cabinet saw. Anyway, I'm calling again tomorrow, hoping to get someone else. Everything was dead on: the fence, arbor, miter guide.everything except one wing extension, which was bowed about 0.01". Called service, and they gave me some local phone numbers to call for warranty repair. Set-up was easy, although time consuming.
I received my PM200 last year. He couldn't believe they told me to call him direct. The first four said they didn't have service available. He acted like I was in service school. I do love the saw. Its quiet, smooth, powerful, and accurate. I was apprehensive about the delivery becasue no help was available, and I'd have to handle the whole thing myself. A liftgate truck put it on the ground, and a dolly moved it into the garage.
I told him I just needed someone to come and provide warranty repair. I called the WHM number again. The last one said I needed authorization from WHM Tools before he could do anything. A real smart a**. I'm concerned that it didn't hold up.waiting for service.
looked burned or bulging. This is going really BAD. Then told me to pull the cover off the motor and see if the (capacitor). I was able to get it into position and off the pallet without too much trouble (I'm a 55y/o out-of-shape guy). Was on hold, and hold, and hold.finally got someone in the technical service department.
UPDATE: A WEEK OF RUNAROUND from Powematic. After a year's moderate use, everything is still dead on.Last week, the motor wouldn't start. Probably more accurate and precise than I am able to take advantage of.
It's a real workhorse. I bought this saw about a year ago and wanted to report that I absolutely love it. If you have the money and the room and are looking for a true cabinet saw with no weak features or compromise, this is it. I have never been able to even strain it - not even with 8/4 oak.I could go on and on but many have detailed the great features, etc. I use it for rips, cross-cuts and dados. I have it wired for 220V (very easy to do).
After reading the other reviews I orderred a back-up so if it does fail I am not stuck using a 2x4.This is a great saw with an excellent fit and finish. I have had no problems with the arbor lock so far. I quick run to ACE and a few bucks fixed that problem. Any saw in this class is bound to have a few problems, but I think the ones I have had are reasonable and really can't complain. I now have a cabinet built under the extension with 4 adjustable feet so the table is on a perfect plane with the rest of the table. I have owned this saw nearly two year sand have had only very minor problems.
Sounds like I got lucky with the extension.Problems: The included mounting hardware for the rails are flat out cheap crap. I can see how, if not gentle with it, though, it could fail. Initial set-up revealed a perfectly adjusted saw from the factory. Very solid upgrade and puts to use the space under the extension.I change blades often going from a Forest WWII to a cheap Diablo for less expensive mateial, and a dato stack. Best saw in its class, by far. the blade was dead on parallell to the miter slots, table dead on flat, and the extension table was dead on flat.
The legs for the extension are poorly attached to the table and get jerked around when moving the saw.
The outfeed table is warped in the middle, such that when the ends are level with the saw table top, the middle of the outfeed table sits 1/32" proud of the saw table top. I would say the noise level is at least 1/2 that of my old Delta contractor saw.- Mobility. Since I don't have a floor outlet, I had to construct an additional extension cord (another trip to Lowes).In general though, the saw produces very good cuts, and I am moderately pleased with it as a whole. The table insert that came with the saw was cupped in the middle (~ 1/32").
With the saw hooked to my 1-1/2 hp Grizzly collector, I was pleased to find that the dust collection was much better than I had expected.- Noise. The cord that came attached to the switch is only about 6' long, which is not nearly long enough to plug into my wall outlet. Much has been written about this saw, and how wonderful it is. I will say that I agree with most of the good points that have already been presented in previous reviews. I was a little unsure at first how the integrated caster system would work on my basement floor, but I have had no trouble moving the saw around. It is rock solid, and does not budge during operation.DISAPPOINTMENTS- Table Insert.
I had to raise the fence side plates slightly to acheive clearance for wide cuts.- Switch Cord. Powermatic replaced it after a call was placed, but the new once is only slightly better, and still requires constant tweaking to get it flat to the table.- Fence. Again, Powermatic replaced it after a call.- Back Fence Rail Bolts. I had to purchase 1-1/2" bolts at Lowes to complete assembley.- Outfeed Table. The system only lifts it a small amount off the floor (maybe 1/16") but it is plenty for my very flat concrete floor. The bolts that were shipped with the fence to attach the back rail were 1-1/4", but were too short to accomodate the rail, the outfeed table, two washers and a locking washer. Instead of re-listing those, I'd like to point out good and bad features that I have found from personal experience, and which may have differed from others experiences.PLEASANT SURPRISES- Dust Collection.
One of the fence side plates was damaged during shipping (appeared to have been dropped on the floor). I knew the saw would be heavy, but was impressed at HOW heavy it truly is. This saw is very quiet in my opinion. I do need to raise the foot pads on the extension table legs when moving, but I am more than happy to do this if it means not buying a separate mobile base.- Weight.
Cuts 2.5 inch oak without bogging down at all. Directions were easy to follow and other than time it was easy to set up. Packing was great, comes on a skid and I set it up by myself.
This saw is whisper quiet and a breeze to use. I use a 2 car wood studio and often need to move around my tools. This was a purchase I longed for but am now glad I waited and spent the extra $$$.
This saw moves with ease and is easy to level. Love this saw. The rails take some time to set up and then cleaning the shipping compound off is a pain but this is the ticket for those who can afford this.
The interal integrated casters are worth the price.
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