Home >> Saws >> Table Saws
Home >> Saws
Home >> Construction Tools
Powermatic 1660791K Model 66 10-Inch Left Tilt 5 Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Accu-Fence, 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, Table Board, and Legs, 230-Volt 1 Phase | List Price: $3,513.00
Discount Price: $2,879.99
 |
|
Brand: Powermatic
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - Heavy-duty one piece cast-iron trunion for superior stability
- Left tilt blade prevents binding and reduces tear-out
- Heavy construction throughout to reduce vibration
- Fan-cooled enclosed motor for protection from dust
- High efficiency belt system
Great addition to my shop [Posted on 2005-09-15]
This saw that is made in the USA is the best investment that I've made. The deciding factor for this purchase was the fact that Powermatic will soon be producing a saw with the same features as this model offers in Taiwan. I always look for USA products and did not want to have to settel for an import.The accuracy out of the box was right on.I would recomend this saw to anyone that is looking for good old USA quality.
factory quality control [Posted on 2005-09-23]
The miter slot on my brand new Powermatic saw is tapered, so a miter gauge set to fit properly for one section of the slot will bind to a stop when slid toward the user. What a disappointment!
A smooth workhorse that is a joy to use and a pleasure to own. [Posted on 2005-11-12]
For those who just dream of a a great woodworking shop, to those of us fortunate to have this saw, WE KNOW THAT THE TABLE SAW IS THE FOCUS TOOL OF THE SHOP. If you truly desire precision then consider the things I have found to be so well made on my Powermatic 66. While I have heard of others without the same great experience, I know for a fact that Powermatic is more than willing to satisfy you. I will comment on the design and their top notch materials that I believe make this a great cabinet saw.
1. OUTSTANDING HEAVY FLAT TABLE - absolutely a dead flat piece of art. DO NOT TRY TO CLEAN THIS WITH ANYTHING BUT WHAT POWERMATIC RECOMMENDS. The mirror like finish is a "blanchard grind" unlike anything else available. It makes you want to clean, buff and wax it regularly.
2. NO VIBRATION - the super heavey trunion and other heavy iron constitute it's ability to absorb vibration. This makes for smoother, safer cuts.
3. QUIET - for a table saw this things just purrs. GET THE 5 HP model - if you're spending this kind of money I IMPLORE you to find the extra couple hundred dollars.
4. TIGHT TOLERANCES - This unit was built with great machining so you can set this up within thousand's of an inch. TAKE THE TIME TO FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS - this will pay off for years. They have designed this to be true, square and flat. It's up to you to follow the directions.
5. GREAT MANUALS - GREAT TELEPHONE SUPPORT - I probably will shock you when I tell you I never owned a table saw until this one. I simply knew the reviews and everyone I spoke with couldn't all be nuts so I spent the big money only wanting to do this once. I have used it for 2.5 years constantly. I am a nut for good instructions since I need them. Their manuals and support let a guy like me set it up from scratch with no pounding or swearing at the thing.
6. A TRUE, SQUARE, ACCURATE & EASY TO USE FENCE - Now, a fence could be the most important thing you use. I am absolutely amazed how dead square this thing stays REGARDLESS of what type of big panels, wood or melamine I put past it. I sometimes have to place a dial gauge just to believe it stays so true. I have NEVER had to make any major adjustments in 2.5 years!!! I kid you not when I tell you that sometimes I scratch my head in wonderment that things are still made this well. AGAIN, I BEG YOU TO TAKE YOUR TIME WHEN YOU SET IT UP!! IT WILL PAY FAITHFUL DIVIDENDS I PROMISE YOU.
7. THE MOTOR - Well, a 5HP seemed like overkill to me too until I started using it through 3" maple, etc. Then the "smoothness of real power" shows it's benefit - no burns, no laboring, just glass smooth cuts (with a sharp blade of course)
8. CLEAN UP - Yep, I clean it and cover it after every day I use it. But it's simple since the cabinet is designed to be so accessible to the motor. The dust chute is engineered so the wood dust is angled to the chute at the bottom. I also invested in a plastic shroud that also accepts a hose.
9. GREAT ACCESSORIES - I have the matching rolling base, extra long black table and cabinet underneath that, everything fit perfectly. The miter gauge is absolutely surprising how solid and square it is. Many times I use it over my expensive Osborne3.
10. THE GOLD AND BLACK COLORS - Hey, sounds goofy doesn't it? But you know what? It looks great against the natural wood all over my shop. I'm not a commercial business so "grey" wasn't for me. It's at my home and I want it to look inviting for the neighbors to stop in, learn and just talk about things to be.
I hope that helps you all. My experience has been great, if yours is the same it will inspire you to use it more and more. Before you know it you've created things you never imagined possible. I suppose that's what a great tool really does -"inspires"
Great saw [Posted on 2006-02-19]
I reviewed jet,grizzley,general,delta unisaw,laguna, and several other taiwan made saws. The powermatic was the winner. You can't go wrong with the 5 hp motor, fine machined table, steel machined crank locking knobs, bigger crank handles, rock solid fence. The saw came with a QA label showing arbor runnout, etc. I set it up in about 4 hrs and ran a machinist straight edge over the table. The saw measured out at .002 flatness, pretty good. You will need to buy a 10 ga wire, plug, etc to hook it up. The manual was clearly written. The saw has not been slowed down while cutting everything from ripping old hard oak to maple. Great piece of equipment. The only concern was the PM 66 had always used a 3VX belt to drive the pulleys and Amazon even advertised as such. However, when I received my saw it only has 2 belts and pulleys. This was very misleading in my view. Overall - good saw, but have had the saw for over a year and Amazon is still advertising the 3VX belt.
Woody OLE TIME Woodworker [Posted on 2006-08-06]
I replaced my Jet table saw with router lift with this Powermatic 5hp. Amazon shipped as stated the saw arrived in perfect condition. Assembly was straight forward. The polishing swirl marks on the table extensions helped locate and identify the left from right. 5hp 220 volts required 10 gauge 3 conductor wiring and a 40 amp breaker. I used a clothes dryer type connector at the shop wall and wired the 10/3 cable direct to the saw switch panel. The 10/3 wire cable is available at Home Centers by the foot. Caution when wiring the saw switch panel - do not remove the jumper wire - the instructions are not very clear at this point.
I replaced all the fastners with stainless steel ones and replaced the motor cover screws with studs and nylon lock nuts with fender washers. The fence rails aligned so perfectly that the cursor on the fence required NO adjustment. The cursor is hair line design and the best I've seen. Very easy to read. The fence required a slight adjustment to allow recommended clearance at the end of the fence for Forrest blades.
Zero clearance inserts are quite easy with 1/2 inch batlic birch plywood. Couple passes on the jointer made them a perfect fit.
I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Ripping 5/4 beech was effortless. I look forward to many years of happy woodworking.
Click here for more details and discount information...
|
){kind=link}