Powermatic 1791216K Model PWBS14CS Deluxe 14Inch 13/4Inch Woodworking
| Brand: | Powermatic | ||
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60 watt halogen lamp built into the body, providing direct light on blade and workpiece while cutting. Chip blower ensures a clean, visible cut line. Extra-large, two-piece cast iron table consists of a 15 x 15 tilting. (45 degrees right, 10 degrees left) section and a fixed 15 x 5 extension for a total working surface area of 15×20. Balanced, nine-spoke cast iron wheels run smoothly. Easy-to-read tensioning gauge settings indicated in blade width increments. CARTER quick tension release lever speeds blade changes. Features durable micro-adjustable dual bearing blade guide system above and below the table. Full 6 under-guide capacity with 13-1/2 frame-to-blade clearance. Built in 4 dust port. Poly V-belt maximizes power transmission while minimizing noise and vibration. Frame mounted push-button switch. Rigid one-piece welded stand requires no assembly. Includes: 1791216K 14-inch band saw, adjustable rnitre gauge, rip fence with resaw assembly, 1/4-inch band saw blade, and gooseneck work light and chip blower, and stand. more info
Related Reviews:
Landfill
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I have had this saw for 8 months and it has had problems from the begining – the latest the quick release – does not work – I am sick of calling the manufacturer and will dump this thousand dollar piece of garbage with pleasure myself – fair warning
Great saw
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
So I don’t rewrite everything that has been said I’ll be brief. Purchased this saw during Woodcraft sale Feb 2008 which included the mobile base and riser block.
1. Current saw/riser blocks do not have an alignment problem. This is fixed.
2. It’s priced a little higher than some 14″ bandsaws but I believe you should buy a good tool if you plan to use it a lot. This is a good saw for the money. Period.
3. If you are cutting anything over 1/2″ the stock blade is useless. There are a lot of opinions on which blade is best so do your research. I’m using the Timberwolf blades from PS Wood because they run at a lower tension. I’m getting great results and I think the lower tension means my saw will last much longer. Just get a good blade that is designed for what you are cutting and you will be much happier.
Update November 2008 – I’m still very happy with the Powermatic bandsaw. I have built a log sled and turned 3-4 foot long 11-12″ logs into lumber. I used a 1/2″ Timberwolf blade. It cut ok but I’m going to try the 3/8 woodturners blade from Highland Woodworking on the next batch. I cut black cherry and some white oak. I have some recently acquired hickory and bradford pear. It will be cut within a couple of weeks.
As for resawing I recently purchased a woodslicer blade and it is awesome. There is no comparison to any blade I have used before. If you are having trouble with your saw try a quality blade.
This saw is a workhorse with a great motor. Use a dedicated circuit or better yet rewire it for 220. Happy woodworking…
Well Worth It!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this Powermatic Bandsaw locally from a Rockler store. Bought it on sale so I got a good price. I’m really enjoying it and have no problems or complaints with it. For a “low” end bandsaw it is great tool. I’ve had very good success, especially with resawing! I’d give it a strong recommendation!
Just spend the money and enjoy!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
You know there are a few tools every wood worker needs. Every wood worker needs those tools to work and work well and this saw does just that. This band saw is the perfect addition to your shop and will be the last band saw you will buy. From the carter quick release to the exceptional roller bearings this saw is a work of art and function.
When I got mine I had a hard time swallowing the price, but after using it I have never regretted the cost. I cut fine veneers, 3/32 thick and large thick stock to make corbels from hard wood and never and I mean never have to struggle to get something right!! Change blades no problem, tilt the bed no problem, and cut dovetails? No problem… And that is what you get NO PROBLEMS!!
I have owned delta, craftsman etc….. This saw is a dream!!! I hardly ever used my other band saws. Now I can hardly stop using this one. I even rip rough stock with it.
Just buy it; it will be the last one you’ll ever need to buy.
Beautiful
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This saw is fantastic. Runs and Cuts beautifully. Takes some time to setup, but then really nice
Assembly Instructions
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
The instructions to assemble the saw were among the worst I have ever seen. Steps were missing so that once a certain point in the assembly was reached you had to take it apart again to complete the missing step. This happened 4 different times. The photography showing most steps was poor at best. I wound of with extra parts that I still have been unable to determine what they were used for. I assume the extra parts are from another missing step in the instructions.
Does the job!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have one complaint … the base and motor bracket came damaged. None of the manufacturers package heavy tools in a way to stand up to the abuse that seems common among carriers. Complaint over …
One email to Powermatic got a new base shipped the same day. When it arrived my neighbors all seemed to be out. With the saw body still in the box, I laid the base on its side, slid the saw to the base, bolted it up and pivoted the saw into the upright position. Following the instruction step by step (had to think about a few of the steps) the saw was up and running.
After cutting a few scraps I cut the feet for a trestle table. The wood was 8/4 cherry and I must say that the cuts in both the straight and curved sections were very clean with no burning. A few minutes at the spindle sander and I was good to go.
While I’m still waiting for a selection of TimberWolf blades to arrive I just couldn’t wait to try a little resawing. I cut several 1/4″ thick pieces from an 8/4 x 5 1/2″ x 20″ piece of cherry. I had to go slow and back off occasionally to allow the gullets to clear (this is not a resaw blade) the results were usable after a bit of sanding. The small, plastic, resaw post while cheap looking, did the job.
Fit and finish are at least as good as the other major manufacturers. The optional mobile base makes it easy to push this out of the way in my garage/workshop when I’m not using it.
Powermatic 14″ Bandsaw
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I purchased this at a local Woodcraft this past weekend when they had a 10% discount on Powermatic products, plus the fact that for the month of April, Powermatic was throwing in the riser block free. After weeks of deliberation and research, I decided to go with this saw. After all, there are a lot of nice “extras” with this. A lot of reviews of this machine have said the instructions were a joke, but, with a bit of mechanical common sense, you shouldn’t have any trouble putting this together. The assembly took me about 6 hours, including fine tuning the guide bearings, the tabletop,etc, and that includes milling the lumber for the mobil base that I purchased at Harbor Freight for $40 (sometimes on sale for $30). The base works just fine. This is my 1st bandsaw, and I feel I made a good choice. It was packaged very well. We all know the blade could have been upgraded, but I’ll be ordering up some Timberwolfs probably today. The quality of the whole product I’ll say is a 9 on a 1-10 scale. (10 being good) Adjusting the belt was a bit awkward, because it took a little to hold that big motor to get it tight and square so the belt wouldn’t ride off the pulley. But, again, no big deal. I really searched for a product that was made in our great U.S.A., but that is a myth anymore! And sad! Powermatic has been around since 1921, so that did help with my decision, even though most, if not all parts came from Taiwan. It is good to see the quality of some stuff coming from Taiwan has improved tremendously over the years.
Great saw
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This saw replaced a Craftsmen 12″ tilt table band saw. I purchased the Woodcraft anniversary package. The American Woodworker did a very good article how to tune up a band saw, this is the best one you will ever read.(also FREE videos on their sight) Out of the box the wheels were not Coplanar, in the article they showed you how to use a straight edge to measure the tires co-planer. I measured the blades top and bottom to get them in the center of the tires, For me it was easier and I think more accurate them a straight edge. The article also explained how to shim the wheels to get this critical dimension perfect, The other problem that I had was slight movement with the riser block ( fore and aft movement of the top of the saw)and tires being copanar on each side, You measure the wheels top and bottom at 3 & 9 oclock to get them even and the blade centered in all four positions measureing the blade on the tire, I used a straight edge and marked all 4 sides top and bottom of the riser block and the lines extended on to the frame so you can see how much it moved, by loosing the riser block bolt slightly with the saw tension relaxed I was able to tap the top forward or aft to achieve a perfect allignment of the blade in relation to the top and bottom wheels.The table required shimming as did the guide post. I would imagine that most saws would need a good tune up to be able to preform at the top of there capability for accurate sawing. I also see that some have problems with setting the guides and a narrow blade. What you need is a Carter Stabilizer guide. It is one bearing with a groove in the center the back of the blade rides in that replaces the top bearings and you move the lower ones away from the blade, You set your blade tracking and tension, Move the stabelizer guide to the blade and pull it toward you 1/8 inch and tighten it down, you now can use up to 1/4 inch blade that will preform like a jig saw on speed, The guy at the wood show did resawing with it, (not recommended) to show just how good the stabelizer is. He was cutting out 3d reindeers ( like the Scroll saw guy) to show you why this is recommended for scrolling. I have had this saw over one year and while I have not used it as much as I would like, so far it has been one super machine. At the Wood Magazine web sight I made the resaw jig for the band saw ( make your own lumber)and cut 12″ thick wood with a 1/2″ blade with no problem. They have some very good FREE videos on the band saw at their sight. Hope this helps :>)
One of the best 14″ Bandsaws
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This ‘little’ bandsaw is perfect for home woodshop needs. I’ve installed both the riser block and the mobile base and both work very well. Previous reviewers of the riser mentioned issues; Powermatic apparently listens to customer feedback, everything goes together as it should. For more on Powermatic cust service, check my 3520B lathe review, they were very helpful.
The bandsaw was relatively easy to put together, though I found truing the fence and fence rails to the table to be a lesson in patience. The riser block install would have gone much better with a second pair of hands, but not impossible by yourself. After about an hour and a half I was running some lumber through for test cuts. This may have been a bad idea as my dust collector arrived the following week. With the dust collector attached, only a small amount of wood dust escapes….without a dust collector you’ll soon be standing in a sizeable pile.
As with most power tools, the first thing that you should do, (after reading the manual and putting the thing together), is toss out the stock blade. It cuts, but it surely won’t impress you. Then it’s onto setting up the blade tension and guides. This is my first bandsaw and I have to say that everything was both simple and quick to do. The tracking knob and carter quick release are intuitive to use, (though the tension lever resides behind the blade guard in it’s lowest,(release), setting. The ball bearing guides are mostly tool free, setting the distance to the blade, (left to right) is done with an allen wrench, again, pretty simple stuff.
I’ve yet to try resawing up to the full 12″ but 6-8″ stock hasn’t given me any problems, nor has it slowed or bogged down in the least. I’m rather pleased with my purchase and the mustard color is growing on me.
If you’re looking for most of the same features as well as 2 speeds and a about 300 less, check out the new Jet JWBS-14DXPRO. I bought my Powermatic before it came out, but it surely would have been a contender.