At first glance, the Portamate PM7000 Miter Saw and Power Tool Work Center might just look like a fancy sawhorse, but look closer and you’ll discover one of the best portable saw stands on the market. The ruggedly built aluminum stand measures 33 inches tall by 67 inches wide, but it expands to an impressive 9 foot, 8 inches for cutting long moldings, siding or deck boards. The saw attaches to the stand’s horizontal rail via a pair of universal mounts. In fact, the mounts can be used to attach other compact benchtop tools, such as a drill press, scroll saw, band saw, or thickness planer.

Other user-friendly features include a four-outlet power strip, 8-inch-diameter wheel for easy mobility, convenient storage compartment and three adjustable work supports that have fold-down rollers. The stand’s four legs fold up for storage or for easy transport. And if all that weren’t enough, it comes with two invaluable, add-on accessories: a flexible worklight and a heavy-duty cast-aluminum bench vise.

The PM7000 combines useful features and unmatched versatility, with industrial-quality construction and competitive pricing. Bottom line: If you own a power miter saw you’ve got to get this work center. -- Joseph Truini

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.0

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-09-29
Content: Within six month the extension arms stick and the fail to support any material. They drop about three inches below the saw height. Not worth the money. I try to buy local but it is net worth the time wasted.
Summary: Don't waste your money!

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-09-03
Content: HTC is alive and well and has just moved into a new office and factory in Fair Haven, MI
Summary: HTC has not gone out of business

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-08-11
Content: I have not purchased this product yet and at this point probably will not. HTC appears to no longer be in business. The phone number listed on their web site and in the product manual has been disconnected. Amazon customer service cannot contact the company also. If any of the tools you intend to use with the product have offset mounting holes (not inline with the mounts), according to the product manual you must purchase kit J-104 that provides brackets to mount the tool to the supports. Amazon does not carry the kit and at this time it seems impossible to purchase the kit.

The fact that the company appears to no longer exist also does not bode well for obtaining any warranty service. I also question how long you will be able to obtain pairs of mounting brackets for additional tools.

This is very unfortunate because this product seems to fit all my needs and none of the other stands available seem as versatile.

This product looks to be headed in the same direction as the Betamax.
Summary: BEWARE HTC appears to have gone out of business

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-03-06
Content: I just received my Portamate and put it together. I would not have bought it if I had known it was made in China. It is exactly what I would expect for a Chinese product of this type. Poor quality and worse directions for assembly. Other reviews I have seen say it comes with wheels attached. Mine didn't and I'll be at Lowe's later to get the clips to hold the wheels on. The plastic door was broken along with the plastic side panel. These things would have broken eventually because they are so cheaply made.
If you want a decent quality tool for your $250 buy something else.
Summary: poor quality

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-02-29
Content: I purchased this chop saw stand for my Bosch. It is a very stable and solid unit. It arrived with the top piece dented, I emailed the company and they sent out a replacement. Two weeks later I found that one of the welded on anchoring nuts was defective; the company immediately replaced it no fuss no muss. This company makes a good product, and they clearly stand behind their product. I was truly impressed with how quickly and easily they delivered to make it good.
Summary: Outstanding support