Thread: Powermatic PM2000 - reasonable price?

I have a Powermatic clone with a 55" fence, bought from Carbatec last July.

There seems to be some confusion as to whether they are still bringing them in.

My opinion of the Carbatec clone is that it is the best thing since sliced bread, especially at the price I paid ($1995 delivered).

If the PM2000 is better than the clone, it has to be an awesome machine.

I think you will find that most of the Jet dealers are very coy about prices, something to do with building a mystique around the brand perhaps?

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I have a Powermatic clone with a 55" fence, bought from Carbatec last July.

There seems to be some confusion as to whether they are still bringing them in.

My opinion of the Carbatec clone is that it is the best thing since sliced bread, especially at the price I paid ($1995 delivered).

If the PM2000 is better than the clone, it has to be an awesome machine.

I think you will find that most of the Jet dealers are very coy about prices, something to do with building a mystique around the brand perhaps?

Hard to pass up at the price you got it for. But at the price carbatec have them listed on their site now ($2800) I'd get the powermatic.

I bought a PM2000 with a 50" fence from Gary Pye. He was considerably cheaper than the other dealers and he's a great guy to deal with.

Originally Posted by chocwheaton

By the way...are there many people here with the powermatic? From my searches there doesn't seem to be too many.

Probably so good nothing to complain about

Originally Posted by markharrison

I bought a PM2000 with a 50" fence from Gary Pye. He was considerably cheaper than the other dealers and he's a great guy to deal with.

read green with envy

Originally Posted by markharrison

I bought a PM2000 with a 50" fence from Gary Pye. He was considerably cheaper than the other dealers and he's a great guy to deal with.

Thanks. I had been planning to go see Gary Pye, but will make sure I do.

Was your pm2000 with the 50" fence comparable to what I was told...$3320 for the 30" fence? Or should I be able to negotiate more? I would have more idea about the potential to negotiate a better deal if I could find out what the RRP is.

All the sales guy would tell me was "the best I can do for you is $3320" which doesn't tell me how good a deal it is. For all I know the RRP is $3325 and I'm being made to think $3320 is a good price. WOW $5 off...I should become a police hostage negotiator

I might still be after the 50" fench...have not decided yet.

Cheers

See, even the customers are coy about Powermatic/Jet prices!

On the subject of fences, go for the 50", it is a great fence and the extra length is handy to have.

In that $3320, is the extension table included?

You are right, if the choice is between the Carbatec clone at $2800 and the Powermatic PM2000 at $3320, I would go for the Powermatic as well. Only if they included the 50" fence though!

I had a quote on the PM2000 with 50" fence from Gary Pye 30th august which was $3500.00 so your price seems to be a keeper

I must jump in, even if it is just to brag. I got the Carbatec clone for $1,795 from their Melbourne outlet in May. Except for Carbatec staffers, I think I was the only one to get it at that price - reduced by $1,000 from their catalogue price.

At the time, they told me the list price for the PM2000 was $3,300. That price included the extension table, for which Carbatec charge an extra $229. (Not that I can complain.)

The saw is brilliant. I cannot imagine the PM2000 being any better. The only difference of substance is the retracting castors and they are only of value if you want to move the machine. If Cabatec are still chasing $2,795 they should throw in the extension table, some blades etc and a set of castors. On that basis I would opt for the Carbatec.

There are two reasons I didn't mention a price.

1. That was in May.
2. I can't remember exactly.

As I said though, Gary was way cheaper than the other guys. $300 if I recall correctly.

At that time the Carbatec saw was not that far behind in price and, of course, does not include a mobile base and the table board. Though the table board is not that big a deal, I admit, the integrated mobile base is. Unlike most mobile bases, the saw is resting on the ground on its cast iron base and there is no wobble when the saw is running. This is a distinct improvement on my last saw.

If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated space and the saw doesn't have to move then this is not an issue.

You will not be disappointed with the PM2000. I am exceedingly happy with it.

I had two small problems

1. The table was out of alignment with the arbor. I suspect that the bolts holding the top down were not tightened properly and the top went of alignment assembling the fence. A 50" fence is a long lever! Just check that the bolts are tightened before you do anything else. In the end I bought an Master Plate to use with my dial guage to realign the table top.

2. One cast iron wing needed some slight shimming. I bought a Veritas straight edge was of great assistance in assembling the saw.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I think you will find that most of the Jet dealers are very coy about prices, something to do with building a mystique around the brand perhaps?

Just received a newsletter from Northwood Tools, which explains the "secret" prices:

For those of you who are JET equipment enthusiasts, you may have noticed something funny on the web site of all the JET dealers. The prices have disappeared !

Starting 1st July this year, WMH (The JET people) decided to open a local company and have all Australian dealers managed locally, with a local warehouse for distribution to dealers. part of this also entailed having the dealers pull prices from the web sites indefinitely. I leave it to your imagination as to why. However, the bad news is that as of now I still do not have prices from JET, there is no stock locally held in the warehouse, and we have been warned they are considering a 15% price hike. If this happens I suspect they will become priced out of the market very quickly, even though they are among the best you can currently buy in Australia.


They also indicated dropping the PERFORMAX range. Unbelievable !

Anyway, the upshot of this is we have virtually no stock of JET, and no prices. If things change, I will let you know, but what a farcical situation.

So, it seems that those of you contemplating a Jet purchase should not delay!

Originally Posted by markharrison

There are two reasons I didn't mention a price.

1. That was in May.
2. I can't remember exactly.

As I said though, Gary was way cheaper than the other guys. $300 if I recall correctly.

Ok...so...arrrh...well...arrrrhhh. I guess I'll just get together the largest wad of cash that'll fit in my pocket, hand it to them and ask if this is enough? I trust someone I've never met or done business with to be honest and give me the correct change. That's my good ol country values for you.

Surely someone can give my an indication if $3320 is in the ball park or just a standard price. C'mon take a guess

I will be buying a Jet 6" long bed jointer and jet 13" thicknesser at the same time (but I know what they are worth) and am swaying towards the 50" fence.

Cheers

Originally Posted by bfx

I must jump in, even if it is just to brag. I got the Carbatec clone for $1,795 from their Melbourne outlet in May. Except for Carbatec staffers, I think I was the only one to get it at that price - reduced by $1,000 from their catalogue price.

At the time, they told me the list price for the PM2000 was $3,300. That price included the extension table, for which Carbatec charge an extra $229. (Not that I can complain.)

The saw is brilliant. I cannot imagine the PM2000 being any better. The only difference of substance is the retracting castors and they are only of value if you want to move the machine. If Cabatec are still chasing $2,795 they should throw in the extension table, some blades etc and a set of castors. On that basis I would opt for the Carbatec.

Wow...my 'deal' is $20 more than a 4 month old list price

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Just received a newsletter from Northwood Tools, which explains the "secret" prices:

For those of you who are JET equipment enthusiasts, you may have noticed something funny on the web site of all the JET dealers. The prices have disappeared !

Starting 1st July this year, WMH (The JET people) decided to open a local company and have all Australian dealers managed locally, with a local warehouse for distribution to dealers. part of this also entailed having the dealers pull prices from the web sites indefinitely. I leave it to your imagination as to why. However, the bad news is that as of now I still do not have prices from JET, there is no stock locally held in the warehouse, and we have been warned they are considering a 15% price hike. If this happens I suspect they will become priced out of the market very quickly, even though they are among the best you can currently buy in Australia.


They also indicated dropping the PERFORMAX range. Unbelievable !

Anyway, the upshot of this is we have virtually no stock of JET, and no prices. If things change, I will let you know, but what a farcical situation.

So, it seems that those of you contemplating a Jet purchase should not delay!

As long as the Jet prices don't go up by Saturday

What do Performax make?

Originally Posted by Big Shed

In that $3320, is the extension table included?

Yes that included the extension table to suit the 30" fench.