Of all the stands we have used and still use, our top cabinet makers prefer the New And Improved PM7000 total work station. When setting up for cabinet, door, window, trim installs this unit can stay put on any job site. It's heavy enough for even the best oak trim jobs and other heavy long wood cutting. On any busy work site this stand is heavy enough that it will not tip over! Designed to take any job site punishment!!
The multiple tooling base pairs are also very affordable (we paid $20 for each extra set) and easy to mount on just about any heavy shop or field tool you have in your wood working arsenal!
No other stand offers the type of versatility and stability that we have found. From the quick connects down to the triple roller support. Setting up our porta plane gets us fast safe boards every time. The lighting station helps in any low level light environment and can be fitted with L.E.D. bulbs for an even safer work area. The handy vise attachment has enough bulk to hold just about anything you need to clamp down.
We fitted a universal duel wheel mount on the other end so sliding the stand into our cargo trailers made it very nice with a tri-wheel setup; this was the only modification we made on the 4 PM7000 stands we own.
If you're looking for a rugged well built miter saw station this is one you won't go wrong with! Keep in mind that others that know little or nothing about how to use these stands can't give an honest opinion, so ignore those reviews.
One final note: There is no cheap plastic on this stand and the primary wheel is made of nylon... not plastic... Most users do not know how to put the stand together or get in a hurry doing it. The power strip is also of high quality as well and comes in very handy for lower amp hand tools like... you name it!! The addon wheel package is available thru "discountsurplususa dot com" See all 3 of our customer images above in the product over view and image areas! convert your HTC PM7000 into a Tri-Wheel unit!
UPDATE:11/23/2007. Well just about a year L8R and still works like new! Our dewalts are all but gone or broken now.... This product has stood the test of time for our usage!! BTW Get the wheel setup! What a back saver!!! HTC PM7000 Portamate Miter Saw & Power Tool Work Center
I recently purchased the DeWalt 718 sliding compound miter saw and needed a stand. My friend purchased the DeWalt saw stand for his saw, but I did not feel like the price reflected the value of the stand. I own several DeWalt tools and know their quality, but the saw stand left me wanting. If I needed to pay over $200 for a quality saw stand, it better have more than just someone's logo on it justify the purchase. I researched what seemed like every stand made that I could find. I found the PM7000. Granted this stand's standard cost is usually more than the DeWalt stand, but this is more than twice the stand! However, Amazon ran a great holiday sale in December 2006 and I was able to purchase this stand [cost + shipping = $177.00]. This is almost $50 dollars cheaper than DeWalts stand, but twice the value and versatility!
This stand had more features and is definitely more versatile than the DeWalt. From the general features, I would even give it 50/50 odds that Portamate makes the DeWalt stand [but that is just my own speculation]. However, if this is the case, they saved the best for themselves. This stands includes a large 8" dia. wheel for mobilization. This will allow you to move it to multiple locations at a project site easily if you desire. The PM7000 also has a built in power strip which is extrememly convenient. The PM7000 has 3 adjustable material supports with integral stops similar to the DeWalt's [which only gives you 2] but takes it a step further. The PM7000 supports have an integral roller to help adjust/move material. The PM7000 adjustable work light is very handy. It is mounted on the cam bracket with the 3rd material support and has it's own switch and is flexible. I have found this to be invaluable when moving from different cuts or even locations.
The stand has a built in compartment for small item storage. I have not used this yet. The other item that really got my attention was the vise. The pictures do not do justice to this feature. It is heavy duty, adjustable and made of top quality materials just like the entire stand. This stand was extremely easy to assemble. It comes close to fully assembled from the manufacturer. This stand lends itself to be more of portable workbench / station with all of the additional features and its versatility.
I purchased this stand to support a 12" Hitachi sliding compound. On the third occation that I used it, the right rear leg lock gave out. If I hadn't been thinking quickly it would've cause serious damage to a $700 tool. Now since the lock doesn't function at all this thing is worthless to me, even if I repair it I'll never trust it. And, forget about trying to move your saw aroung with that cheap little wheel, the extending roller assembly or leg brackets will dig in, it really is a useless feature.
I'm a union carpenter with 30 years of experience and a fondness for quality tools. Anyone reading this should consider any stand on the market other than this one, you'll be happier and perhaps save yourself some money.
OK, after I bashed this product in my review, I contacted the folks at HTC and they were more than happy to send me the parts to fix it, free of charge. So, there is something to be said about their customer service department.
Went to a half-dozen tool and big-box hardware stores and looked at all of the other stands. Ended up buying this locally for $219 + tax (didn't feel like taking a risk on delivery, since the last two heavy tool items I received from Amazon were both damaged in shipping. Thanks UPS...not).
If you really just want a simple, light, short ( more collapsible) basic no-frills stand for one or two power tools, look elsewhere and save a couple of bucks (or not). If you want the Mack truck ("work center" aptly describes this beast) of racks, this is it. It is overbuilt. Yes, it is heavy (nearly twice most other racks) and long (the main beam is longer than most), but it does oh so much more. The holders have rollers, you can mount 2-3 tools at a time, the vice attachment is sweet, the light attachement includes the third roller, extensions are solid, legs are very solid. Somehow was able to squeeze it into a Camry with the back seat folded down and the supports removed (just made it). But moving it is more of a chore, since all of these added attachements take up a lot of space (compared to the basic racks).
The tri-wheel set-up mentioned earlier helps alot with mobility when collapsed (the website mentioned, discountsurplus, is down right now, but the seller is still selling the wheel sets on ebay for $30 delivered, currently listed as "TracRac Wheel Bracket"...a bit pricey, but if you need it...).
Again, if you have more space for storage than a basic stand, aren't hauling it up and down stairs every day (like simply leaving it set-up as part of your workshop, or to be set-up just a few times at a job), and want a rock solid base, this is it.
4.75 stars, only because it is so darned heavy compared to the others. - Tools - Miter Saw - Cool Tool - Miter Saw Stands'
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