Powermatic "Something Big is Coming"

[Van Huskey]

Rob, what picture are you referring too.

Like I said if it isn't a lathe I will be surprised since they are announcing what ever it is on the morning of the American Association of Woodturners symposium.

[Joe Kieve]

Or maybe they're merging with Delta. Gonna be called "Deltamatic". LOL

Joe

[Richard Dragin]

I'll guess that it will be a big disappointment.

[Matt Meiser]

I think we've got a winner!

Usually that's what these over-hyped announcements end up being.

[Rob Damon]

Rob, what picture are you referring too.

I believe it was a magazine ad that showed what looked like the bed of a lathe. Can't remember which mag but I noticed someone posted at another website that Fine Woodworking at the ad in it. Rob

[Rob Damon]

Also just noticed it is the same pic on the Powermatic Facebook site. Rob

[Van Huskey]

It was FWW, I hadn't gotten to it yet. Looks like the bed of a lathe very similar to how the 3520B looks now. Just solidifies my belief it is the 4224 they are redoing or replacing... I imagine the turners may be excited, they seem to love the 3520B and the 4224, so as long as it doesn't encrouch on Oneway/Stubby/Robust pricing they may have a viable product.

[johnny means]

Does anyone honesty believe PM is really doing anything innovative enough to warrant the hype?

[Van Huskey]

Does anyone honesty believe PM is really doing anything innovative enough to warrant the hype?

It depends how you look at it. Think back to when the PM2000 was released, it made a significant leap in cabinet saws (obvious outleaped by SS later). The PM1800 has lots of innovation (but over priced). The have been lots of other small and large innovations from them in this time period. So in terms of innovation I would have to say that they have been the most innovative within the full line Asian importers over the last 10-12 years but one could argue that is a low bar. In general we woodworkers tend to be a cynical lot and it is doubtful that what is revealed will cause more than a very few people to salivate for any number of reasons. If it is a new big lathe it will easily be over the budget of most and those with budgets that don't really restrict something like a lathe purchase will likely not sway them from a Robust, Stubby or Oneway.

[michael case]

Its probably a Segway.

[Rick Fisher]

Okay...

Just a guess.. A new lathe, would look like this ..


Except it would be all mustard ...

[Van Huskey]

Okay...

Just a guess.. A new lathe, would look like this ..


Except it would be all mustard ...

Uhhhh no. PM has kept the me-too machines to a minimum in their line off the top of my head I can only think of three. They won't be bringing out a repainted machine, it isn't their focus.

[Rick Fisher]

Van...

You may be right .. of course..

However.. This Lathe is a brand new offering, recently launched by Mao Shan.. Who sells to Walter Meier already..

And the model number Mao Shan gave the Lathe is 4220A ..

And Mao Shan is advertising it as CSA approved..

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So, why would Mao Shan bother to CSA approve the new lathe .. ( Powermatic in the USA now ships to Canadian dealers )

http://www.maoshan.com/product1.aspx?cid=10&id=101

I have no idea... just speculating.. And the ad did say " something big " .. This sucker is almost 800 lbs..

There is advantages to buying more than one machine from a supplier .. Freight.. Fill the can from one warehouse..

It could of course be that General is going to sell it ?

[Richard Shaefer]

Rob, what picture are you referring too.

Like I said if it isn't a lathe I will be surprised since they are announcing what ever it is on the morning of the American Association of Woodturners symposium.

I can't see how you're anything but right that it's going to be a new lathe. Admitted that I don't have a lot of use for a big fancy lathe, but I'm a little dissapointed. I was hoping for a PM combo jointer/planer. There's room in that market, IMO for a good domestic.

[Justin Coleman]

I think the key is that they say "BIG" in all caps. That is usually marketing speak for something physically small. My bet is a cheap line to compete more on the low end home depot level. Definitely not what anyone of us wants to see, but it would fit their current trajectory.