Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Old Powermatic ID?
Ted Okolichany
>My neighbor has a really old Powermatic lathe. I believe that it has a 3 phrase motor on it. It has a 1 1/2 inch spindle. It is huge and has a cabinet under the ways on the motor side. I could not locate a model number on it. I think she wants to sell it. Does anyone have an idea on this lathe and model? Also fair market price?
Thanks,
Ted
Re: Old Powermatic ID? *LINK*
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>Might it be a Model 90?
Click the link to view a PM-90 manual and compare
Mark
Model 90
Re: Old Powermatic ID?
Ted Okolichany
>Mark,
Thanks. It does look like the model 90...
Ted
Re: Good Lathe, But . . .
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>But kind of big for only a 12" swing over the bed (discounting the outboard thing) and 1 hp.
With the price of a new PM (with 20" bed swing and sliding headstock) in around $2500, and factoring in the costs and time to convert the motor (or add a variable speed AC controller to the 3-phase existing), unless you're an "old iron" geek, I wouldn't guess that machine's worth a whole lot.
Remember too, that when (not if) you outgrow it, there ain't likely to be much of a market for 900 lbs. of 12" swing lathe except to someone (like you?) starting out who would love to get a good deal on a "big" machine. If you look at it as a disposable item rather than an investment, evaluate it on what you'd pay to use it for the next 2 years and compare that to what the owner wants + what you'll have to put into it.
Off hand, I'd think that $4-500 would be my top "bid", with a plan to put another $3-400 into the fix-up.
Just my free opinion, though . . .
Good Luck
PM90....best lathe ever built....
TDaniel
>for spindles. Near worthless for bowls. Find someone who makes table legs only and it'll bring $800 or so in good condition. The big problem is the 1 1/2-8 threads on the spindle; most of the chucks that can be bought with that size insert are the big chucks...way too big for a 11" bowl. A large chuck with a small set of jaws will set you back about $330, then the jumbo jaws are too big to clear the bed. Your best bet for a chuck for a 90 is a Nova direct tapped to 1 1/2-8 but when you trade up you cannot take the chuck with you because there is no insert to change out. Unless spindles are your thing I would pass this onbe by.
TD
Re: PM90....Spindle *LINK*
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>Bestwoodtools (link) makes/sells a range of spindle adapters for the 1-1/2" spindle so you can reduce the thread to match any size chuck you wish to buy. The adapters are $60.00 or a friend at a machine shop might do you a favor for a bowl.
You might also want a BIG chuck for turning on the outboard side. Did not, however, see a note re a reversing switch and therefore you should consider that possible necessity in the upgrading and modernizing, etc.
Mark
BWTools
Re: PM90....Spindle
Ted Okolichany
>Thanks to all on your opinons of the M-90. I own a PM 3520a, I was just trying to help my neighbor who is trying to sell off this lathe...
Ted