I did really well at four craft fairs last fall/winter (helping my neighbor, he lets me take a few things) so I have saved up some money. I saw a Powermatic 3520C for sale today. Its brand new but considered a dent and scratch unit. There are some areas where the paint is off and the sales person said that the tail stock had to be replaced because it was broken. It almost sounds like it had been dropped but everything else looks good, tail stock lines up with the headstock, all accessories are there and the motor turns on. Its being sold at 25% off retail, after sales tax it comes to 20% off retail price. The only thing is that instead of a five year warranty it only has a 90 day warranty. The few 3520bs that I see for sale are about the same price ($3200 plus or minus) and they don't have a warranty either. So I'm curious if this is a wise thing to buy, or is it better to keep saving and get one at a higher price but with a warranty. I'm going to the Portland Symposium, I've never been before and wonder if they'll have 'show pricing'. And since Oregon doesn't have sales tax, if Powermatic were to offer a 15% discount at the symposium then its only a $200 difference and I can sell a few things for that. And the good news is there is a club member that wants to buy my Jet lathe so the difference to get into the Powermatic isn't too terribly much (thank goodness for good sales at the craft fair).
Anyway, enough rambling, just wondering your thoughts. New Powermatic with blemishes and no warranty at a 25% discount, or wait for a 10% or 15% off sale with a warranty.
I should mention that I'm completely satisfied with my Jet. I've turned to the maximum 16" diameter and have some wood where I could go bigger if I wanted. I've started coring with a friend's Oneway coring system, on his powermatic there is enough umph where as on the Jet it works, just slow going. I love turning on the Jet and it does most everything I can ask from it. I love turning on the Powermatic every month at the club even even more.
Thanks for your feedback.