Dial-indicator measurements show the chisel travel to be straight within 0.003" over the full 6" travel, left-to-right table travel to be perpendicular to the chisel mount within 0.002" in 6", and fore-and-aft travel 0.000" in 4". Pushing sideways on the chisel mount can cause (0.003" chisel motion, and pushing sideways on the operating handle can cause (0/006" chisel motion. The chisel-ram support column is mounted to the base casting with only two 12m-head hex cap screws which can be seen in Figures 4 & 6. The column is not pinned to the base, and may be misaligned when delivered. It is not necessary to correct the alignment as the chisel may be set parallel to the fence to correct any misalignment. I found that the cap screws were slightly loose, allowing the chisel ram to rotate slightly when pressure was applied to the side of the ram casting. Tightening the screws helped, but did not eliminate this rotation. The undercarriage photo shows the side-to-side rack, both sets of V-ways, gib adjustment screws with locking nuts, and the front-to-back position lock. No evidence of sloppy assembly or poor quality is evident here.

The bit is driven by a 1hp, 1(, 3400 rpm TEFC motor without external cooling fins (a disappointment). I burned no wood or bits at the 3400 rpm with either 1/4" or 3/8" chisels in red oak, Douglas fir or white pine. It is important to set the bit slightly out of the chisel opening so that the bit does not rub against the chisel, else the bit will overheat with the usual blue-color result. Clico chisels will fit, however the blue-box Delta chisel bits have much too short a shaft to be safely clamped in the chuck. Most Taiwanese bits should fit as well ¾ if you really want to use them. The Plexiglas covers over the chuck cavity, shown in Figures 5 and 6, effectively prevent workpiece contamination by any oil-splatter from the spindle. Note in Figure 5, the horizontal brown mark on the Plexiglas from thrown oil.

The vertical- and horizontal-travel stops are effective and easy to set. They are rugged, and do not lose their position accuracy, although I would rather see cast-iron stops to match the quality feeling evident in the rest of the machine. As with other machines of the type, you must carefully set the chisel square to the fence by your own method. I run the chisel lightly up against the fence to make sure it is aligned square with the fence and workpiece before clamping it in position. I would like to see a chisel collet with a machined D-shaped hole to facilitate precise chisel alignment, but I don't suppose that is likely to happen. As it is, the clamping screw seats against the flat on the chisel shank, but no precise alignment aid is built into the machine.

All in all, I am quite happy with the machine with only the caveats mentioned relative to the manner of fixing the column to the base casting, chisel alignment and cast motion stops. Accuracy measurements obviously apply only to my sample.

Addendum

After submitting the PM719 review, I realized that the fence was probably too far out of plumb to do really-good work, as it leaned forward at the top by 0.033" in its 3" height. That is really 89.4 degrees rather than the 89.6 degrees I wrote in the review. Such a tilt on the mortise could cause a 20"-long tenoned rail to be tilted by nearly 1/4"(0.22") at the end.

I contacted PM via e-mail, giving them this information, and they e-mailed back in a day or two saying that I should return the machine to the dealer for a replacement. I did this, and was given my choice of 3 units as replacementt. I measured fence tilt on all three, and chose the best which was out of square 0.015" in 3", or 0.005"/inch (a fence angle of 89.71 deg). I use a Bridge-City square and a feeler gauge to make this measurement. This angle is possibly satisfactory, although I think the measurement should be within 0.001"/inch, or 89.94 degrees, for precise work.

I repeated all the measurements of the review after uncrating the unit today. This is a better-made unit than the unit I returned. First off, the vertical chisel-ram support column has been redesigned for greater cross-section at the base which translates to greater strength and possibly less flexure. The column is now bolted to the base with four 12mm-head hex cap screws in place of the two used previously (photo at right). Second, the motor is now 1725 rpm instead of 3740 as previously. Steel covers have replaced the plexiglass covers over the chuck cavity.

Measurements are as follows:

The table measures dead flat with a Starrett straight edge. The fence is flat except for a gradual 0.002" crown near the center. The fence is tilted forward at the top edge at 89.7 degrees or 0.005"/inch. Dial-indicator measurements show the chisel travel to be perpendicular to the table within +/-0.002" side-to-side and +/-0.0005" front-to-back over 5" of chisel travel. Table travel is perpendicular to the chisel mount within 0.001" in 6" left-to-right and fore-to-aft. Moderate side pressure on the chisel ram caused +/-0.002" sideways deflection of the chisel.

Table fore/aft V-way gibs were loose upon receipt, allowing noticeable play in the table; but adjusting the gibs to remove the play was a simple task. Column-mounting bolts were reasonably tight. Table travel fore/aft is smooth, however side/side travel is rough; and it has been impossible to adjust the gibs for both smooth travel and minimum play at both ends of horizontal table travel. Adjusting the right-hand gib-adjust screw to remove table play makes it impossible to move the table past center to the right. Therefore, I live with some play when the table is fully left, and a somewhat sticky and rough horizontal movement. This certainly is not ideal as the previous machine had better table-movement/control. Addition of one or two gib-adjust screws in the center would help as the brass gib shims are too flexible to maintain the table position unless at least two gib screws are spanned by the table. I may add those by drilling and tapping the casting.