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I was fortunate and purchased one in an auction last spring. Mine is from 1963, but they are still made, and so far as I can tell the design has not changed. This means that you will be able to get parts to fix it if necessary- but at a price. I wanted to replace the rubber wheels, and Powermatic has them for $40 each. I was able to get some from for a generic 14 in wheel for about 15- but did have to use an angle grinder with a sanding disc to take out the high spots. I would suggest that you try and do two things. The first is to take a wrench and loosen the plug in the bottom of the gearbox enough to let some oil drip out. If none comes out, or is black or gritty I would start negotiating on the price. Mine appeared to have not had the oil changed in some time. I drained it, filled, ran and then drained several times to flush it out. It is possible they already did this- but more likley they topped it off or dranded and changed with out the "flush" of doing it several times. The other thing I would do is to remove the sawblade and the drive belt coming up from the base. I would then turn the pully by hand in both the low and high gear. In the low gear the bearings on shaft to the wheel will turn slowly compared to the bearing on the pully shaft. Then put it into the high gear - done with the lever at the upper right hand side- and turn the pully shft. The bearing on the wheel shaft will now be turning at a higher rate of speed, and if bad should be "rougher" than it felt at low speed. The real test of the bearing on the wheel shaft comes by putting the control lever BETWEEN the high and low. In mine this position leaves the shaft unmeshed with any gears, and the shaft will spin freely- though there is still some bearing noise. I hope the above is helpful. Powermatic has a web site, and has information about their products. I was able to get a manual from them.
The only disadvantage I have found is that they specify a blade length of 95 inches, with 94 to 96 being aceptable. Most blades you find for 14 in saws are for the Delta saws. and 93.5 inches. I have not tried one, but instead have orderd blades made to lenth through Rutland tool, or bought woodcutting blades made for the powermatic saw.
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