Powermatic 1660760K Model 66 10-Inch Left Tilt 3 Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Accu-Fence and 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, 230-Volt 1 Phase

by Powermatic

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Known as one of the few quality saws still made in America, what really sets the Powermatic 66 apart from the competition is about 200 pounds of solid vibration-reducing cast iron. The weight of this machine makes it the smoothest-running tool in its class. A 40-pound, single-piece, cast-iron trunnion reduces vibration from the 3-horsepower motor. Combine this with the 28-by-38-inch cast-iron tabletop and you have one beefy machine weighing in at just under 600 pounds. The unique belt-drive system distributes torque more efficiently with less wasted energy going to heat. Staying cool means a longer motor life and less wasted electricity. The Powermatic 66 has a convenient, hinged front access door and a 4-inch dust collection port for easy connection to standard dust collectors. The 50-inch Accu-Fence has an interior spring that applies constant pressure when not locked down, which takes the slop out of fence movement, improving accuracy and the speed of fence adjustments. It also has replaceable sides with easy-access screws. Users can adjust the sides so close to the tabletop that laminates will not slip underneath. The Powermatic 66 is the classic choice for professional cabinetry and furniture shops, as well as for hobbyists who spend more time in the shop than on the couch. --Nancy Gleason

Product Description

Arbor Diameter (in.) 5/8 Blade Diameter (in.) 10 Brand Powermatic Distance Between Sliding Table and Blade (in.) n.a. Dust Collection Adapter Port n.a. Dust Collection Minimum CFM Required 350 Dust Port Diameter (OD/in.) 4 Height 34 inch Leg Stand with Steel Storage n.a. Length 73.75 inch Maximum Cross Cut (in.) n.a. Maximum Depth of Cut (in.) 3-1/8 Maximum Depth of Cut at 45 Degrees (in.) 2-1/8 Maximum Diameter of Dado (in.) 8 Maximum Rip Left of Blade (in.) 12 Maximum Rip Right of Blade (in.) 50 Maximum Width of Dado (in.) 13/16 Miter Gauge Type standard Model Number 66 Motor Amps 15 Motor HP 3HP Motor Phase 1Ph Motor Voltage 230V Net Weight 455 pound Overall Dimensions 73-3/4 x 32 x 34 Part Number 1660760K Prewired n.a. Rapid Wing Extension n.a. Ship Weight 510 pound Table Height (in.) 34 Table in Front of Saw Blade at Maximum Depth of Cut (in.) 12 Table Size with Standard Extension (L x W/in.) 28 x 37-1/2 Table Size without Extension (L x W/in.) 28 x 21-1/2 Table Size without Wings (L x W/in.) 28 x 21-1/2 Table Type cast iron Width 32 inch Part # Description 2042335 2042336 2042372 2195063K 66-FENCE ASSY KIT W/30"RAILS 2328002 Dado Insert for Model 66 2328003 Zero Clearance Insert for Model 66 2440020 Accu-Fence System, Rear-Lock Assembly (Optional) for Models 66 and 72A 6682004 Rout-R-Lift for Model 66 6827030 Table Board, 28" x 24" for Model 66 6827031 Table Board with Hole for Rout-R-Lift, 28" x 35-3/8" for Model 66 6827032 Table Board with Hole for Rout-R-Lift, 28" x 24" for Model 66 1660760K-GuardAssy. 1660760K-MitreGauge 1660760K-StandAssy. 1660760K-TrunnionAssy. WARRANTY AND SERVICE

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.08mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 643.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00005OQM4
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1660760K
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,870 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed bag& Update, August 24, 2003

By 

David Hurt "neutronsareblue" (Fulton, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powermatic 1660760K Model 66 10-Inch Left Tilt 3 Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Accu-Fence and 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, 230-Volt 1 Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

I received the saw and all 7 boxes. Driver was very helpful in delivering directly to shop. From one of the previous reviews I read here, I had put together the mobile base (bought separately) first and was able to move the saw base from the pallet to the mobile base. This is definitely the way to go.

First the good. I had always heard that the Powermatic 66 was the "best". I was impressed by the fit and finish of the saws that I had seen. I still feel that the finish on the top is the best anywhere. The packaging provided good protection. The extension wings went on easily and were easy to align properly. I got the wood extension table and it arrived intact without problem.

Now the not so good. Installing the front rail for the accufence, the instruction manual has you ensure exactly 2 27/32" from table to front rail and that this dimension is critical. However, after attaching the rail to table, it was not possible to achieve this "critical" dimension. Contacting Powermatic by phone(don't try the URL address provided, it doesn't work), they informed me that as long as the offset is consistent from table to rail that acceptable performance can be achieved (i.e., 2 14/16 or 2 13/16 was OK as long as this was consistent along the length of the table. (So much for critical). Not having this info initially cost me a couple hours unnecessary setup time. I also had difficulty getting the guide bar to be a consistent length from the table to the bar. The Powermatic rep(different individual) I contacted assured me that this had never been a problem before. (so I must be making it up?). I started removing mounting bolts from the underneath of the guide bar and found that one of the holes was offset enough to prevent the guide bar from being paralell. Once removed, it was possible to properly align the guide bar.

Once the fence was set up, I attempted to adjust for paralell. I spent a lot of time and was never satisfied with results, but the dimensions from the infeed and outfeed side of blade to the fence were equal or the outfeed was a hair greater. I never got a smooth cut. I assumed that the blade I was using was at fault, and bought a Forrest blade (very nice). I tried again and got better results but still not what I expected. There was always a gap between the wood and the fence on the outfeed side or I would get binding if adjusted the outfeed side further in.

I decided to invest in a rather expensive precision gauge to measure for exact paralell. What I found is that the accufence side plate which is UHMW plastic is concave, going in approximately 8 mils at the center of the cut. I am still working on getting this right, I ought to be able to shim it.

In summary, when the saw is up and running, it is very smooth and powerful. Very heavy arbor, low vibration, excellent lift and tilt mechanisms. The surface finish is excellent, but the fit of the fence was disappointing to say the least. I suspect this will be an excellent tool when finally adjusted. I had an inexpensive craftsman before and required a lot of adjustment and aftermarket add ons to make it work smoothly. I didn't expect the same from Powermatic. I am convinced top quality tools are worth the expense, but I expect top quality. I can recommend the HTC mobile base and the Forrest blade that I bought for this tablesaw, but the verdict on the saw itself is questionable.

Update 9/04 - I have had the saw for over a year now. I attached a steel plate to the fence which came with magnetic feather boards which I had purchased separately and this resolved the issue with the concave fence. The saw cuts smoothly and accurately each time now. I am very happy with the saw.

I treated the table surface with talc powder like recommended in the book rather than waxing as I have done with past saws. I was initially satisfied with this, however, I keep the saw in a garage which is not heated. One very warm day in February, I opened up the door to the garage and to my horror watched the mirror surface of the saw turn almost the same color gold as the saw body from the moist air condensing on the cold metal top. I was able to subsequently clean it up again and then applied a wax coat and have had no problems since. I am very happy with the saw currently and would recommend it but still am disappointed that it took so much extra work to get it set up initially to cut correctly.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powermatic Model 66 3 HP Table Saw, April 30, 2002

By 

Philip J. Taylor "philiptaylor2" (midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powermatic 1660760K Model 66 10-Inch Left Tilt 3 Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Accu-Fence and 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, 230-Volt 1 Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Powermatic 66 is a wonderfully built tool that has both finish details and thoughtfulness of design that make it far superior to any other tool in or out of its class. The table arrives perfectly flat. Blade tilt has stops that are set to within 0.002" from the factory (0 deg. and 45 deg.). You can adjust these if you need to.

The blade guard functions wonderfully and is very simple to adjust and use. It is easily removed and offers surprisingly good visibility. No matter what the gripes are about the blade guard, I think Powermatic should be commended for trying to offer something more substantial and functional than any other manufacturer's stock guard. The guard alone is worth the price difference to the near competitors. A lost finger would also make up the price difference if you opted for a machine with an unusable guard.

The miter gauge is very solid and stable. The motor is a Baldor industrial TEFC that runs ever so quietly. My saw developed a quiet rattling after a couple weeks of use. The Powermatic tech support was brilliant in diagnosing the noise and talking me through its adjustment. They will give you a direct number to a person who knows the machine inside and out and they are available and patient in helping you. They'll send you parts under warranty, if they were ever needed, instead of making you go through the hassle of taking the machine to a dealer or service center.

A stable, quiet, powerful and massive machine with not a single flaw.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars AND THE MOTOR WENT SOUTH, February 4, 2005

By 

nikkiwood (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powermatic 1660760K Model 66 10-Inch Left Tilt 3 Horsepower Cabinet Saw with 50-Inch Accu-Fence and 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, 230-Volt 1 Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

Three years ago I sold my Unisaw, which I had had for 25 years, and bought the PM 66. I thought it was time to own the saw that many consider to be the benchmark standard of the industry.

Almost from the beginning, the motor would occasionally have a strange sound upon starting. The Tech people claimed that dust had migrated into the (sealed) magnetic switch, and I should just blow it out. I don't use the saw everyday, but this would happen every few months, and I would drag my air hose out once again.

Well, one day last week the motor screamed, heated up and died.

Took the motor to an authorized service center for Baldor. They said motor was completely shot, and was defective from the getgo. Said a new motor would be less expensive than fixing this one.

Cost of new motor = $412.

Wrote and called Powermatic. They were sypathetic ("yeah, that happens sometimes"), but said they could not help because the warranty period had expired.

Went up the chain of command, and finally found a guy that said he would give me a new motor for $200. Tired of the battle, and frustrated, gave him my credit card number.

MORAL OF THIS STORY: If you have a problem, don't procrastinate, and don't take no for an answer. That motor was defective out of the box. I knew it, and so did the people at Powermatic. I should have pursued the issue more zealously at the first sign of a problem. And even now, I know I should not have accepted their settlement offer ($200 for a new motor) so meekly.