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Thread: Powermatic PWBS-14 Band Saw Opinions

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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Powermatic PWBS-14 Band Saw Opinions

    im thinking about getting one of these band saws and if anyone has an opinion on it
    i would appreciate hearing the good and bad about it please.



  2. #2
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    Oct 2005
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    I don't own one. That being said, the last I checked they were going for about $1000. I would never pay that much for a 14" CI BS with a 1.5hp motor and 6" reasw. I would go with the Grizzly 513 or 514 series, or the Rikon steel frames. I have a G0513X2 and love it. I have never heard anything bad about the PM except the price.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2008
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    Rochester, NY
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    Hi Kevin,

    I got one on sale a couple years ago. After I spent some time dialing in the setup, it runs smoothly and cuts pretty square. The quick tension release and Carter guides are nice, however if I were shopping for a 14" saw again I would look at something with more resaw capacity, probably the Laguna.

    Mike

  4. #4
    I got one a few years back with a riser block for about 850. Two negatives: The wheels initially were quite a bit non co-planar, and the fence is horrible (but most are). Other than that, its a great little saw. Very smooth, quiet, DC works great. No problems with re-sawing 11" with a 3/4" blade. If I knew how much I would use a bandsaw when I bought it, I would have saved a bit more and went with a refurbished old-arn 20"+ saw or saved a bit more for an Italian one. Overall, its a good saw and the best 14" Delta/clone I have used, but it will be upgraded once the finances allow.

  5. #5
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    i found one in mint condition for lets say ' a lot less then normal ' pricing and with a mobile base.
    but i dont care about the price, im just wanting to know if its a good saw?
    i dont think it has wheel brushes so thats a negative in my mind.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Grand Forks, ND
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    I own that saw also. It should have wheel brushes, mine does. Its a nice saw for a 14" bandsaw, I have some issues with drift when resawing, other than that its a great saw for the money.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    Seattle, WA
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    I owned one a couple of years ago. IMHO, it's not worth the premium. I think that the Grizzly GO555X or the Rikon 10-325 are easily as good if not better than the PM for less money. If you're budget can handle it, you won't regret moving up to the bigger Grizzly's or the Laguna LT14 SUV if you can spring for it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    I've used one in a shop earlier this year. It worked pretty well and seemed like a nice saw. The lower guide bearings had gotten really dirty and frozen.

    It seems like a pretty good version of the 14" cast iron band saw, with limitations common to that design.

    Wheel brush can be added manually if there isn't one already on there. I didn't check on the saw I used.

    Matt

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    westchester cty, NY
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    last month's wood magazine tested 14" band saws. despite their premium prices, neither the jet nor the powermatic were rated top tools. excludung the laguna that was part of that same test (since it's price was 50% higher than the overpriced jet and powermatic), the rikon 10-325 was the top tool, with a grizzly as the top value. if you want to overpay for what you get, the powermatic is the saw to choose.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Atlanta, Tx.
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    19
    This might be a good one if you are in the neighborhood...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Rikon-10-325-14-...item3f099e48e0

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Everett, WA
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    Great saw!

    I have the PM 14" and I love it. I bought it about six years ago and it has run flawlessly over that time. I would buy it again.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Arlington, VA
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    I'd sell you mine if you were local and really wanted one... Bought it very cheap and looking mint. But I was never happy with resawing on it, even after countless tune ups and trying a range of different blades. I eventually ended up buying a Laguna 14SUV, which resaws beautifully. I've kept the PM because I figured I keep a thin blade on it and use if for curvy flat stuff, but I don't do a whole lot of that...

  13. #13
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    most of you are missing the point, i just want to know good points and bad points from the owners who have one. im not concerned with price.
    and for those who mentioned the grizzly 0555, i have one and its going down the road.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Silicon Valley, CA
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Gregoire View Post
    and for those who mentioned the grizzly 0555, i have one and its going down the road.
    So what aspects of the grizzly are you hoping to improve upon with its replacement?

    Matt

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Seattle, WA
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    I've got to agree with Julian, but in the spirit of the question, here goes:

    PM Pros:
    -Powerful motor
    -Quick release

    PM Cons:
    -Price
    -Motor mount is a pain

    Debatable:
    -Guides
    -Fence
    -Work light
    -Service

    If you are unhappy with the performance of the Griz and are expecting something more out of the PM, you're going to be very disappointed. The actual performance of a 14" CI bandsaw will really only change subtly with motor power. Beyond that they really are pretty much identical.

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