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PM3520b to be or not...

D

drjcbarton

Joined
May 31, 2005
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I guys,

Here is the latest in my saga to decide which lathe I am going to buy to replace my old Ridgid. I have researched Oneway, Stubby, and Powermatics and am leaning toward the PM3520a because of the bang for the buck and all the great press they receive from their owners.

A rumor had circulated though that suggested that Powermatic is soon to launch their new PM3520b which would address some of the few shortcommings of the "a" model, most namely being the lack of an indexing feature as standard equipment. This got me thinking and that's always a dangerous situation so I called Powermatic up and asked a person in their customer service support area. She was quick to cut the rumor short saying that no news is available regarding the release of the pm3520b and that no date is known regarding when it might become available. This also figures in to the current availability and relatively great pricing on the "a" model. My guess is that they have the "b" model completed and beta tested, and may have already done a few production runs. But, that said, they would be waiting for the current inventory to drop sufficiently to introduce the new model to avoid competing with themselves. Let me know what you think. I would hate to buy an "a" only to see the "b" around in a few weeks...
 
Is it official that there will be a "B" model? I looked on their website and did't see anything about an upgrade. It would be a shame to not buy one waiting on better model and not have it come out.
 
Just got a great deal on a scratch and dent.

I just bought my PM 3520a from a dealer here in Atlanta.
Wm. J. Redmond & Son is the company's name.

Believe it or not, with tax it came to $1712.00. I jumped on it like a duck on a june bug. It went for $1600.00 before tax, so the shipping wont be all that much more or less if your out of state.

Here's the web address. Just call and ask to speak to Scott Redmond, Sr.

I think he has 3 more S&D's in stock. Just tell him the Preacher sent you.

http://www.redmond-machinery.com/

P.S. They make sure they are in good running order and give a warranty with them as well.
 
Sounds Like Analysis Paralysis

Sounds Like Analysis Paralysis which I suffer from with every major purchase. 😉 Take a chance! Just do it! I stretched to get mine and am glad I did. I would also hate buying two lotto tickets (one for me and one for a friend) and giving the winner to the friend, but it's just not the same thing.
 
TurnedAround said:
I just bought my PM 3520a from a dealer here in Atlanta.
Wm. J. Redmond & Son is the company's name.

Believe it or not, with tax it came to $1712.00. I jumped on it like a duck on a june bug. It went for $1600.00 before tax, so the shipping wont be all that much more or less if your out of state.

Here's the web address. Just call and ask to speak to Scott Redmond, Sr.

I think he has 3 more S&D's in stock. Just tell him the Preacher sent you.

http://www.redmond-machinery.com/

P.S. They make sure they are in good running order and give a warranty with them as well.
Click to expand...

After Shipping to PA it would cost $2200.

BUT!!!!! Scott did say he heard the 3520B is coming out in a month, but believes no later than September.
 
The PM3520 will definitely be my next lathe but, I don't know if it will be a "a" or "b". Plenty of a's out there listing for close to $2.3 K but, of the new units only the ones sold by Olensky are the 3hps, rest I have found are the 2hp version. I am going to make some more calls around before I make the jump to see if there are any dates for release of the much porported "b" version. I could wait a month or two if that gets me into the "new and improved" 3520...
 
drjcbarton said:
The PM3520 will definitely be my next lathe but, I don't know if it will be a "a" or "b". Plenty of a's out there listing for close to $2.3 K but, of the new units only the ones sold by Olensky are the 3hps, rest I have found are the 2hp version. I am going to make some more calls around before I make the jump to see if there are any dates for release of the much porported "b" version. I could wait a month or two if that gets me into the "new and improved" 3520...
Click to expand...
Find out who the president of the company is and refuse to speak to anyone else. Just keep going up the chain, you'll get there for sure if you try. Tell him what you told us, sort of - either you are made aware of the sale date of the B, or he sells you one now, or you're buying a Oneway. Tell him you really want the Powermatic, and you've contacted him to make your decision for you. Its not fair to keep you hanging like this, and he'll see it that way too when you explain it.
 
Sorry about that...

Sorry Ron,

I didn't know that freight would be such a killer. Scott really took good care of me and is a really nice guy.

Maybe you could make a little Florida vacation and swing by Atlanta on the way back or even rent a small U-Haul to take it home. Got to be less than 600 bucks, don't you think?
 
TurnedAround said:
Sorry Ron,

I didn't know that freight would be such a killer. Scott really took good care of me and is a really nice guy.

Maybe you could make a little Florida vacation and swing by Atlanta on the way back or even rent a small U-Haul to take it home. Got to be less than 600 bucks, don't you think?
Click to expand...

That OK, don't worry about it. Scott seemed like a decent sort. He was almost embarrassed by the shipping costs.
 
PM3520b

I received an e-mail from Jet/PM cust. service stating that the 3520b was "under development" and that the earliest expected "introduction" date will be "...the middle of 2006."

File under: I'll believe it when I see it.
 
A few members of my forum have received the same responses, "mid-2006". One received a more detailed response indicating that a few of the upgrades are still under development and the prototypes are not even complete yet, which tells me there will be a few months yet before we begin to see the ellusive "b" models. There was clarification that integrated indexing, a hands-free spindle lock and possibly a 3hp motor standard would all be included in the upgrade.

Personally it sounds like the normal marketing "hype" game of generating a ton of interest long before releasing it to make us salivate to the point of 'needing' one when it does actually come out.
 
Well guys, here is the final word vertabim:

Dear Chris,

We are always moving forward in developing new machines or improving existing models. We are working on a new version of the lathe, however it is very early in the process and the production design has not been decided on. I would estimate that the machine, at the earliest, could be available by the spring of '06. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Heather Yuhas
WMH Tool Group
Internet Customer Support

So, I ordered the PM3520a special package with all acc. from Osolnik 3 days ago...
 
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