My Old Table Saw Is Better Than My SawStop… Except for One Thing

# Summary Marc completed a full restoration of a Powermatic PM2000 table saw that had previously been damaged by fire. After a teardown, cleaning, lubrication, and reassembly, including fixing the saw's built-in retractable mobile base, he decided to keep both the PM2000 and his SawStop. The deciding factor for keeping the SawStop is safety when other people use the shop.

# What happened to the PM2000

# Why keep both saws

# Shop updates and small projects

Greg Batt distilled shop-space thinking into three types of space: capacity (storage), work space (infeed/outfeed), and human space (room to stand back and assess). He recommends selling seldom-used machines to free real usable space. His machine recommendations:

• Scrapers: Use a cabinet-style scraper (Stanley No. 80 style) such as the Veritas model for two-handed operation. Sharpen with a 45-degree bevel, flatten the back, then form the hook. Use a Crown or AcuBurr burnisher for turning the hook.

• Jointer/planer upgrade: A wide jointer with digital vertical adjustment speeds milling. At 12 inches, most boards can be flattened without ripping down first.

# Materials and finishing notes

# Next steps Marc outlined A head-to-head layout video with the two saws facing each other is planned. That will address positioning, electrical drops, dedicated dust collection, and accessories unique to each saw. Until then both saws remain in the shop: the PM2000 for Marc's long personal use and the SawStop for situations where other people will be operating the equipment.