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Powermatic going up

RW | Posted in Tools for Home Building on April 4, 2008 04:13am

No sales pitch, just info. Powermatic / Jet stuff that has been on sale the last couple of months, new pricing for May came out. Its going up. The baseline PM2000 saw for example (when the sale stuff goes bye bye) is going up about 600 bucks. If yer on the fence, pick a side.

In other, barely related news, for you festoolians, the price hike there April 1 . . . holy smokes what a madhouse. FestoolUSA sold a mil and a half on the 31st. The crazy part, without a hitch. Ready for it. Had everything stocked, had extra people on hand, handled it.

Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

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Replies

  1. unTreatedwood | Apr 09, 2008 10:58pm | #1

    I don't understand how we can have a collapsing economy(!!!) and still have power tools going up like this!! My guess is that someone still has the money to buy these things. So, how is it that we are almost ready to be pronounced DOA as we hear every day??? something doesn't make sense here.....

    "The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Apr 09, 2008 11:29pm | #2

      the cost of everything that went into the tools has gone up ....

      including transportation... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

      1. unTreatedwood | Apr 10, 2008 08:07pm | #3

        oh yeah, I forgot about fuel. ouch."The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

        1. Jointerman | Apr 10, 2008 10:32pm | #4

          Don't forget about the weak dollar! Abd the high cost of energy in general is making things like aluminum more expensive too.I've been wanting a new TS... like the PM2000 or Hammer K3. But with the things the way they are, I now can't afford them even more!

    2. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Apr 15, 2008 02:17pm | #6

      UT,"My guess is that someone still has the money to buy these things"I may have taken your words out of context but it's just as I have said before....Wealthy hobbists like doctors and lawyers are the guys buying those expensive tools. Overpriced tools are great for the hobbist who need not justify the purchase (other than to compensate for his lack of skills) but overpriced tools have no place in this competitve skilled trades market;-)It really doesn't matter. Some guys just get off at spending big bucks to achieve a mean. Some guys get off at spending as little as possible. Both extremes just make me roll my eyes.gk

      1. unTreatedwood | Apr 15, 2008 07:18pm | #7

        I have a VERY tough time believing that there are enough "hobbyists" who will keep Powermatic going for very long.  I'd love to know just what percentage of top line sales that group represents....."The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

        1. User avater
          Dreamcatcher | Apr 16, 2008 03:26pm | #13

          UT,I've seen enough hobbist shops to know that even you might be amazed at the number of hobby woodworkers out there spending huge dollars and hording vast numbers of tools that they barely use and pros couldn't afford. The price hikes only do two things: First they can hurt the overhead of professionals (like myself). Second, they make it easier for the majority of Americans to choose the China #### and worsen our economy.It really makes me mad. Why couldn't they at least raise the price and move manufacturing to a reputable country...like the USA!"Too expensive" is buying a tool only to find out it is now made in China.Gk

          1. unTreatedwood | Apr 17, 2008 08:06pm | #14

            Question: How often are you buying large power tools of the sorts made by Powermatic? What would your turnover be?"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

          2. User avater
            Dreamcatcher | Apr 18, 2008 03:24pm | #15

            UT,I am constantly in the market for all sorts of tools and machinery. As projects come and go, I buy whatever is necessary to complete the task at hand. I refer to myself as a remodeler as that is my mainstay, but sometimes thats just not broad enough. I have also been employed as designer, cabinetmaker, furnituremaker, stair-builder, roofer, sider, framer, trimmer, plumber, electrician, drywaller, New homebuilder, etc. I have the tools to do the jobs and the massive overhead cost to prove it.Among the myriad of things I have already had to buy this year, there was a new 10" cabinet saw, a 10" radial arm saw, and a 34" lathe. Those are just the stationary tools. I am guessing by the end of the year I will have purchased a new stationary bandsaw, drillpress, and air compressor. So, Yes the price increases will have an effect on my overhead.BTW: I just got an email from Rockler giving me 10% off DELTA, PORTER-CABLE, AND DEWALT before the "May price increases". I am beginning to think they just saw what the increases did for the sales of Festool and decided to jump on-board.gk

          3. JulianTracy | Apr 18, 2008 05:00pm | #16

            10% off wouldn't begin to cover the non-competetive pricing Rockler charges on stuff anyways.Not sure why anyone would buy from them when there are not only web places with great pricing, but also local tool stores that offer good prices and good service and help.Do not overlook CL and other used tools sources - I've seen many a Powermatic 66 saw with the Blanchard polished top and a Baldor motor for $1300 or so. A new PM66 will run you about $2600 or so and they don't come with the fancy tops and Baldor's anymore - those upgrades will run you another $600 or so, and don't forget shipping.Seen many a 20" bandsaw for $500-800 also.I just picked up a mint Jet 10" right-tilt contractor's say yesterday for $100, with a $80 mobile base and a bunch of other stuff.JT

          4. DougU | Apr 19, 2008 03:46am | #18

            10% off wouldn't begin to cover the non-competetive pricing Rockler charges on stuff anyways.

            Not sure why anyone would buy from them when there are not only web places with great pricing, but also local tool stores that offer good prices and good service and help.

            JT, I wonder that same thing every time someone post's a link to Rockler. I maybe buy something from them once every two years and thats usually something very cheap and I'm too lazy to look elsewhere.

            Doug

          5. unTreatedwood | Apr 18, 2008 05:41pm | #17

            That makes these prices pretty meaningful to you. Fortunately you have already made some serious purchases. How long will they last? Is this the norm every few years? Or will you have these large tools for some time? I've used my 8" jointer for 10+ years and have only had to replace/sharpen blades, for example. I would love to get a larger thickness planer, as my portable DeWalt is probably not long for this world...but It's not so bad for me. That's why I am empathizing with you!!"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Apr 10, 2008 11:25pm | #5

    I was one of those 1.5 mils on the 31st.  BOught an RO150 and CT22 pkg.  Sweet.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

  3. gb93433 | Apr 15, 2008 11:42pm | #8

    Soon the price will go down like portable power tools when they start making it in China.

  4. User avater
    PeterJ | Apr 15, 2008 11:52pm | #9

    RW, what are you up to...a new enterprise?  I was thinking you did cabs and trim, and yanked around a big trailer, right?

     Did I miss something?

     

    Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

    1. RW | Apr 16, 2008 12:03am | #10

      Well . . . yeah. I did.

      You missed the beginning of the year, a long story, and a change in life a little. Sold off a lot of that stuff. Pretty happy here now.

      Come on in someday, grab a cup of joe, and catch up on what its like to be a festool junkie. Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

      1. User avater
        PeterJ | Apr 16, 2008 12:19am | #11

        You missed the beginning of the year, a long story, and a change in life a little. Sold off a lot of that stuff. Pretty happy here now.

        You mean it's not 2007? 

         Pray tell, catch me up.  You're peddling tools now? Still in Nebraska? I'm afraid of that Festool stuff, like heroin, I'm told ;-) 

        Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

        1. RW | Apr 16, 2008 12:49am | #12

          Tell ya what. Gimme a call tomorrow at 4778665. Coffee's on me.Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

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