PM Bandsaw vs Tormach Autofeed

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Andarxx

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I’m working on updating some equipment in my shop and I’m pretty sure I’m going with the PM-1440GT and PM-949TV. My question is has anyone has experience with the PM bandsaw or the new Tormach autofeed model? I was planning to bundle the shipping by getting all at once, but now I’m torn on moving up to the Tormach.


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No response huh. That is odd. I will have to say that the Tormach autofeed bandsaw looks really awesome, but you would have to have a production environment to justify it. Of course if it is for a hobby, no justification needed.
As much as I don't care for Harbor Freight stuff, I have their small 4x6 bandsaw and it works very well. All of those smaller saws come out of the same chinese factory. I have been seriously considering a 7x12 band saw but am still considering my options. I did not realize that PM sold a bandsaw. His price is actually quite good on that one.

I see that Northern Tool currently has their 7x12 Klutch brand on sale for $898. That is cheaper than anyone right now.
 
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7milesup said:
No response huh. That is odd. I will have to say that the Tormach autofeed bandsaw looks really awesome, but you would have to have a production environment to justify it. Of course if it is for a hobby, no justification needed.
As much as I don't care for Harbor Freight stuff, I have their small 4x6 bandsaw and it works very well. All of those smaller saws come out of the same chinese factory. I have been seriously considering a 7x12 band saw but am still considering my options. I did not realize that PM sold a bandsaw. His price is actually quite good on that one.

I see that Northern Tool currently has their 7x12 Klutch brand on sale for $898. That is cheaper than anyone right now.
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I really like the HF 7 x 12.
 
Well, I have experience with neither, but I have spent some quality time looking at both of those band saws before I lay out money for a saw for my own shop. In a production environment, I think the Tormach would make good sense -- why pay someone to babysit a band saw? But at least for me as a hobbyist, I would plonk for the PM and put the dollars saved to the tooling budget. The PM checks most of the boxes for what you need for a band saw.
 
dbc said:
Well, I have experience with neither, but I have spent some quality time looking at both of those band saws before I lay out money for a saw for my own shop. In a production environment, I think the Tormach would make good sense -- why pay someone to babysit a band saw? But at least for me as a hobbyist, I would plonk for the PM and put the dollars saved to the tooling budget. The PM checks most of the boxes for what you need for a band saw.
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I don't know the PM or the Tormach either but I have had a few bandsaws.
I do know that the PM is incredibly similar to the previous version of the HF saw. The only major difference in design is the speed change. However being made in Taiwan I am sure the castings are better and the materials used superior. It is about about 70% more expensive but that may be OK for a very serious hobbyist.
The Tormach is even more similar to the HF machine with the obvious addition of its automation features. At a starting price of $3999 it is in a totally different league from the others so it all comes down to needing auto-feed as well as undoubtedly high build quality (probably as good as the PM) and being prepared to pay a great deal for it. I couldn't see where it is made or whether its warranty matches the PM's 5 years. Does anyone know?
 
The Northern Tool Klutch 7x12 is on sale until midnight Tuesday ((7/7/2020) at $301 off of their normal pricing. I am probably going to pull the trigger on that one. As much as I would love the PM, that is another $550 over the Northern Tool.
 
Thanks everyone on the feedback. I tend to be a “buy once, cry once” person, but I also like to research as much as I can as well. My goal is to move from a hobby to a full-time “professional” sometime in the hopefully near future, and I’m upgrading my shop for that end.


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The PM saw looks almost identical to the Wilton/Jet 7 x 12 saw I have
 
Buffalo21 said:
The PM saw looks almost identical to the Wilton/Jet 7 x 12 saw I have
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And identical to the Northern Tool. LOL. The only difference I have seen is the PM having that gear box with the selector. Honestly, I have hardly ever changed speeds on mine switching from aluminum to mild steel so not sure how big of a deal that really is. Also, the PM is made in Taiwan where virtually all of the others appear to be made in China.
 
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