A member here, knottscott, has a great blog called the ABC's of table saws http://lumberjocks.com/knotscott/blog/32154. I'd start there.

After reading Scott's article, i'd look at my power needs and availability. At 5 hp, that saw will be either an 18 amp (plus or minus) at 220/240 volt single phase or it will be a 3 phase motor. Few home shops have 3 phase power (though phase converters can make that happen). Shoot, not all that many have 240 single phase, and if you do-do you have a panel that will support dust collection at the same time. If the power is in place…re-read Scott's blog.

I want a PM 66, and one of these days, the right saw at the right price at the right time will come!! Good luck!!

earl

 

Adjust the angle and height to make sure it feels smooth. listen and feel for noise and vibration on start up and while running. New belts and/or bearing are a plus.

 

I think for the most part the PM66 is a low risk purchase at the right price. I have purchased several PM66 saws myself, many site unseen and many without ever turning on. Only one had a problem and that was with a bad arbor. I would check for blade wobble on wind down. Listen for abnormal noises such as bad bearings. For the most part that is going to be a good saw. It could have been abused though in a cabinet shop. The worm gears loosen right up after a good cleaning and then lubed with white lithium grease.

 

what questions should I ask the seller?

Ask him when and where to meet to give him the cash and pick up the saw.

Cheers,
Brad

 

Don't buy if it's old.get something that works you can find on any place.if you buy maybe it will work for a couple of days then broke down.

 

old has nothing to do with it if its a good saw and PM is, good advice above. Whats the asking price?

 

Don't buy if it's old.get something that works you can find on any place.if you buy maybe it will work for a couple of days then broke down.

Bullcrap.

Cheers,
Brad

Dang.. just looked at the sig line from that post.. must remember.. don't feed the trolls (or scammers)...

 

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll definitely check out the blog. Age was a big concern of mine, but I guess it shouldn't be. I kind of like the idea of having something with a little history to it, or that needs a little TLC.

Deano - The seller is asking $1200 for the 5hp one. Also, there are several others within 100 miles of me that range from $800 to $1800 for a new one that has never been used.

-Jake

 

The new PMs are not as solid machines as the old ones.I have the same vintage PM66 and same HP it is and has been a great saw.

 

It's hard to g wrong with a PM66, but someone mentioned it earlier…it might be 3 phase and if it is it's not the best choice for a home shop. Putting phase conversion on a motor that big would be costly, regardless of how you did it. Even if it's single phase you'll need a 30 amp service for it, so think things through before you pop the money.

 

It s hard to g wrong with a PM66, but someone mentioned it earlier…if it s 3 phase it s not the best choice for a home shop. Putting phase conversion on a motor that big would be costly, regardless of how you did it.

- Fred Hargis

Naw.. it would be roughly $200 extra for a VFD for that machine which isn't too terribly expensive.. but you must have 230V single phase available to do it. Of course, you would need the 230V for a single phase motor of that size anyway, so that's kind of a given. However, the 3-phase/VFD setup offers several advantages (soft start, electronic breaking, etc..), and 3-phase motors are much simpler since you don't have to worry about start circuits, centrifugal switches, start/run capacitors, etc… Bearings are about the only you need to worry about and only once every 10-20 years or so

Cheers,
Brad

 

I've not seen a new VFD that can power a 5 HP motor that cheaply, the ones I've seen were in the $600 and up range (right up there with RPC's). I have one on my lathe that's an industrial unit that can do 5 HP, but industrial ones are even higher. Nevertheless, if he can get one that cheap it would be a good deal making the 3 phase part moot.

 

I've not seen a new VFD that can power a 5 HP motor that cheaply, the ones I've seen were in the $600 and up range

A TECO FM50-203-C would work just fine.. there are a lot of folks running 5HP 3 phase motors with that and other similar VFD's. Just go over to owwm and ask Ignore the HP rating (which is just a guestimate really) and look at the FLA.. plus, a table saw motor never sees FLA, and doesn't usually even get close, if ever.

Cheers,
Brad

 

I have been using 3phase equipment for years. These VFD converters makes 3phase equipment easy to own and use. The 3hp VFD on 5hp saws have worked well for many. I am going to try one on a 5hp shaper, it would be nice to feather the speed a little between set speed steps…..soft start and quick slow down.

One most difficult machines to power is a metal lathe, high start loads-heavy chucks and work pieces. Most woodworking machines have low start loads.

 

Won't underpowering your tools by 2hp hurt your motor?

 

Won't underpowering your tools by 2hp hurt your motor?

Who's doing that? A static phase converter will reduce the HP by roughly 1/3rd but not a VFD.

Cheers,
Brad

 

Thank you all for the advice.

I do not have 3 phase power to the shop, plus I don't know if a 5hp saw is practical for my needs right now.

I'm not apposed to putting a 3 phase saw in my shop since it seems like a converter is a viable solution. However another PM 66 is available in my area, the only problem is the seller doesn't have any of the history on it because it was in a shop that he bought out. I'm going to check it out tomorrow, he is asking $800 for it.

-Jake

 

Let us know how it turns out, sounds like it could be a steal!

 

Solid saw. I spent years on a 66 and a 72. you wont do better.

Check the arbor. Listen to the bearings. If its 5hp and single ph (assuming you need single ph) then you have a work horse. Drop the cash and spend a few days tweaking it in. New blade. Youre good.

 

I purchased a saw today. I've gone and looked at several over the past week and this one seemed to be in good shape and was definitely the best for my wallet. I first saw it posted on Craigslist for $1000, then the price dropped to $800. I went and looked at it and offered him $600 and he accepted.

It's a 3hp 1 phase saw that needs a little TLC and probably some upgraded gear. Everything seemed to be sound and in working order.

If you are inclined, tell me what you think. While I have read a ton over the last few weeks I am still brand new at this and can use all the help and insight you are willing to give.

Thanks,

-Jake

 

I have the same PM 66, same color but mine is single phase, looks like the motor may be a leeson from the color, did the saw come with the right side top wing? Only thing you will problly need to look into is the belts and bearings, check the miter slots in relation to the blade(if unsure what that is i have seen videos on youtube explaining this) i have the round fence rails also and they have their faults!! I clean and coat the saw top with boeshield, and i have some glidecoat also but havent used it, make sure u keep the saw cast iron top protected or it will rust!!! If u are missing anything i have had success getting parts for old powermatics from a website i think its ereplacementparts, just google that and u should find it. Anything else just ask, great saw btw!!!
Joe

 

The saw did not come with the right top wing, I was hope I might be able to find one or just build and extension table off that side. However, I've been looking around a little and apparently they can be hard to come by.

 

I think you suck! That missing right wing is a bummer, but you can get by until you find one. How in the world does one lose those things? Well Done!

 

How in the world does one lose those things?

I see it quite frequently. A lot of folks will just remove the wing to bolt on an extension table. Not a lot of people feel comfortable drilling/tapping the cast iron wing for one, so just use the existing bolt holes which makes things easier (and removes the hassle of getting multiple tables properly aligned). The old wing gets put away somewhere and is quickly forgotten/misplaced over the years. It can be replaced fairly easily, but the best route would probably be to just build an extension table sufficient for the length of the existing rails.

As for the saw, you wound up with a pretty good deal. As with any used machine, I highly recommend giving it a thorough cleaning and lube, make sure the belts are in good shape (replace if necessary) and replacing the arbor and motor bearings before you do anything else with it. Then slap a good blade on there, get every thing aligned properly and you should be set for many, many more years of reliable service from that saw.

Cheers,
Brad