Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since 1970 I've been fortunate enough to own several tablesaws. My first a Sears, then an old Delta construction, then a new JET construction, now the POWERMATIC 66 with the single phase 3HP moter. I don't think I've ever experienced a better built machine. The 50" fence is accurate, smooth, and easy to operate. I love the slick plastic fence rails. The moter is quiet and the fit and finish are 100%. I still can't believe the polish on the table top. I have a few complaints however. First the documentation is adequate but the tasks are all out of sequence, I can't believe they have not re-written it. Second, there were parts missing (the plastic pointer) for the accu-fence and there were references of a gauge and wrench which don't exist ( I called the company and asked). The company sent the pointer later. Finally, the switch is really tiny and the stop button protrudes, occasionally you might bump it. These are minor things which are quickly forgotten when you rip you first 8/4 red oak and it practically rips itself. Forget the extra money, this is the last one you'll ever need to buy.

I have owned several table saws and by far the Powermatic is the best of the breed. I chose the 5 HP engine because I wanted the additional horsepower for the hardwoods that I use in cabinet building. The Powermatic operates flawlessly with virtually no saw blade wobble to ensure 100% accuracy in cutting.

Couldn't recommend the machine any higher, although if you will be working with large panels I'd recommend purchasing the Powermatic with the sliding table extension.

All in all, tremendous product.

I've had the Powermatic 66 5HP for two weeks, and I hate to run a miter sled over the face, because the polished surface is too nice to scratch. Ok, so I got the wiring done, with a 40 amp circuit, and am starting to use the saw. I have a bunch of relevant information, and here it is.
Don't sweat being able to get it down the stairs, with a 600 plus pound shipping weight. After removing the crating, the table top comes off, with just 3 bolts, and the motor, comes off, with only 2 large bolts. What's left only weighs about 250 to 300 pounds.
The 100 pound motor is easily removed. With the top off, you can tilt the saw over onto a blanket, and rest the motor on it. Then just remove the two large bolts that hold it on. The only adjustment in replacing it, is the belt tensioning.
Everything is adjustable on this machine, including the fence. This one is dead on accurate at 90 degrees, measured with a digital protractor. Their are two allen bolts, which allow fine adjustments as well.
The blade cranking wheel assembly, has stops at 90 and 45 degrees, which are also adjustable with a bolt and securing nut.
The power button question: Yes the on off switch BOX protrudes out toward the front. The green on button is recessed into the box. It's flush with the face. So unless you have something protruding from your body, it won't accidentally go on. The off button on the other hand, sits proud of the box, and could be bumped off by accident. The price you pay for having an easy access off button.
Pertaining to the power cord: The service you need is 40 amp, which requires an 8 gauge wire from your circuit breaker panel to the outlet. Since the motor draws 24 amps on each leg of a 220 line, and the electrical standard allows for 20 percent headroom, you have a borderline 30 amp situation. With a 40 amp circuit, suggested by Powermatic for the 5HP model, you won't ever have a tripping circuit breaker. The 10 gauge wire is usually reserved for 30 amp circuits, but in this case PMatic suggests you use it for the cord from the saw to the outlet.
With the Powermatic, and Forrest Woodworker II 40 tooth blade, the cut is glass smooth. With a lesser saw, you can only run a 24 tooth blade, and that leaves saw marks in your work. Then you need to redress the edge, which creates straightness problems. With the 5HP motor, no matter how thick the hardwood stock, it is going to melt right through it. That is worth every penny of the purchase price.
This saw really is the finest piece of equipment out there. Right out of the box the flatness of the top measured diagonally spec's out at 4 thousandths of an inch. The blade run out was an incredible one ten thousandth of an inch.
Critically speaking, the top adjustment allows me to perfectly parallel it with the blade. The rear mounting bolt does not allow me to perfectly center it with the insert opening. I will have to ream out the opening-slot, so I can center the blade. It must be centered in order for the blade to be able to clear the insert when you tilt it to a 45 degree angle cut. Check it first before installing the fence etc. Also check that the cast iron extensions to the top are as flat and level when installed as the rest of the top. Here's a great tip. If the side extensions are within the .010" tolerance and you want to get that last tiny sliver of light out from under your straightedge, use aluminum foil for a shim. Foil is so slim, even using 4 or 8 folds of it won't show up as even the tiniest gap in the seam on your saw, but it will, due to the way the leverage magnifies over the distance to the edge, result in a perfect, perfect, perfect alignment all across the top. It was a wow when I discovered it, and it technically is an all metal tweaking.
One other minor consideration is that they should spend more time getting the decals, and the Powermatic logo installed. They are not done critically, but then again, I have to stop treating this like a waxed Ferrari sitting in the garage, and realize this is an industrial grade cabinet saw, that is meant to give you incredible results effortlessly. No, let me say joyously. I smile every time I use it, or even look at it.
I can't recommend this saw enough. It really is miles ahead of the competition. Blade adjustment flies. You can easily lock your setting with a locking knob, in the center of the crank wheel. So when it seems like the blade setting is floating, or flying to a new setting, rest assured you can lock it in. Knowing you can come back to a perfect 90 degree setting effortlessly is great due to the stop. By setting it yourself, you can get the feel of how much pressure to put on the stop at the end of the crank. Rarely can you get a perfect 90 with a saw stop, but you can with the proper touch on this one.
I must say that customer support after the sale with Powermatic is second to none. They really stand behind their product.
This saw is still made in the USA as of this writing. I don't think the Taiwan models are bad, I just received the 60B jointer, and the 719A hollow chisel Mortiser, and they really are built to Powermatic specifications. To be perfectly honest with you they were pre-set to perfection right out of the box, and were obviously built by someone who appreciated being given the privelege of doing so.
Powermatic is the one piece of equipment, that can last as long as the heirloom pieces, that are being created by it. A hundred years later, when they love the work, they can say, and this is the original saw that created it. Join the club, Go Powermatic.

I have never encountered anything that would bog this saw down the slightest bit. Accompanied by a 52" Beismeyer fence, this is a wonder saw. If you are serious about your woodshop and have the space, save your money and order this one. You will not regret it.

PROS

** POWER

** Heavy

** Belt Driven

** Great fence

CONS

** The single phase version draws alot of electricity, it will run your electric bill up.

I purchased the 5 HP 1 Phase Model 66. Installation of the cast iron wings and the extension table was straightforward. The cast iron top was polished to a mirror finish and was dead flat. The saw blade was aligned with the miter slots to within 0.002 in. right out of the crate. The Accu-Fence, a Biesemeyer clone was easy to adjust and has been rock solid and very accurate so far. One of the best attributes of this saw is the lack of vibration due to the massive cast iron trunion. The 5 HP motor can easily digest thick hardwoods (I recently sawed a large amount of 12/4 curly cherry without a hiccup). The motor never bogs down. The stock blade guard is hopeless so I purchased an aftermarket overarm guard. I also recommend the Biesemeyer removeable splitter, but make sure that if you order this saw that you have Amazon order the new Biesemeyer splitter that has been redesigned for the Model 66's manufactured after August 2000. This saw is quiet, powerful, and very accurate. Without question this will be the last cabinet saw you will ever buy if you take care of it. The Powermatic 66 is truly the Rolls Royce of table saws.

This saw is more than the home shop may need, but you will never overwork it. It operates beautifuly and is fairly simple to set up. The 50" fence is accurate, smooth and easy to operate, and as solid as the Biesmeyer version. The only complaints I have with the saw are the position of the stop button, I keep bumping it with my leg, and the extension table provided with the fence. Although the construction of the extension table top is adequate, it has to be chisled out for the bolts to attach it to the table top. It is also shorter than the 50" position on the guide and the fence "falls off" at about 43" and has to be lifted back onto the extension table when returning to shorter distances. On my saw, one of the ribs in the table top frame lined up with the mounting bolt holes on the guide, and I could not put all of the bolts into the table top.

I love my saw and to take care of the problems I had with the extension table, I have built a new one to take it's place.

After having had several contractor type table saws, that were all generally underpowered and had imprecise fences, I recently stepped up to the Powermatic Model 66, 5hp, single phase, table saw. At last I have a powerful, precision tool that is the keystone of my woodworking shop.

The quality of this machine is first rate. It was well packaged from the factory and set up easily. (Insist on a lift gate delivery).

The front fence rail was a bit off 90 degrees, but was quickly and courteously replaced by Powermatic customer service inside of a week. The new rail is perfect and holds the fence tube parallel to the table top thus facilitating a true fence alignment.

For me, this machine has no negatives. There were no shortcuts taken in either it's design or manufacture. Virtually everything on this machine is adjustable. Fine tuning the machine, once it is in place and set up, is minimal and straight forward.

The Biesemeyer type fence is beyond reproach. The cast table top and wings are flat and true. The mobil base allows you to move the machine easily, with one hand, anywhere in your work space. With the 5hp motor, nothing inhibits this machine.

If your needs include a powerful, precise, high quality table saw, choose the Powermatic Model 66. It's a real beauty.

When we decided to build a shop at our new home there was no doubt we would "Go Gold" all the way -- our experience with Powermatic at a previous friend's commercial shop was outstanding.

As my wife and I assembled the saw we had a few problems: the surface of the main table has a gouge in it that you can feel -- I suspect it will scratch wood if given the chance (we had to travel and got this going the night before we flew out of town).

Also disappointing to us is that the support for the blade guard behind the saw actually snapped in half when I attached it. This is a seemingly solid piece of metal (about 3/4" thick) and as much as I'd like to think "I don't know my own strength", I doubt I could have pulled this off unless something was already broken/stressed.

Overall I'd say I'm mixed on opinion: my first Model 66 was a dream. This one is not quite so...obviously quality control had a day off when ours came off the line.

The image I had is tarnished. I do not look forward to the idea of getting this fixed -- it's the top of the table and I do not want to mess with this (if it's even possible) and I do not want to disassemble and ship back. But I need to do it...

As for the rest of the shop, I'm not so sure now. Will I get more Powermatic? Depends on how they decide to handle this, I guess.

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"

OK, so I used that same title for another review! Its' true. This ACTUALLY showed up on time, ACTUALLY was packaged nicely, and has ACTAULLY lived up to its hype. The 5hp is overkill, but I like that. Smooth, stable, quiet, good dust control, GREAT fence. The fence was adjusted when we set the saw up three years ago and it needed its first tweak about six months ago. That's it. I run ply, MDF, and various hardwoods without even a change of pitch from the motor. I use an 8" Frued Dado with no problems at all. I use this saw commercially and I highly reccommend it!