Powermatic 1791279K Model 54A 6-Inch 1-Horsepower Jointer, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase

by Powermatic

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This jointer is loaded with features normally found only on industrial equipment. Features include: new oversized 66-inch adjustable infeed and outfeed cast-iron tables, new cast-iron, center-mounted fence assembly which provides rigid support for the workpiece, has positive stops at plus/minus 45 degrees, and Powermatic's patented "control chip" 3-knife cutterhead design which delivers the accuracy required in a 6-inch jointer. Model 54A comes complete with 1 hp, 1 phase, 115/230-volt motor, and manual switch.

FEATURES

• Features Powermatic's controlled chip cutterhead
• Oversized, 66" long adjustable infeed and outfeed table (mounted on dovetailed ways)
• 38" extra-long fence
• New fine/quick adjustment lever on infeed table for precision cuts
• Enlarged sheet metal stand
• Positive fence stops
• Powerful 1 HP (TEFC) motor
• Spring loaded front guard and fixed rear guard
• 4" dust collection port
• Two way tilting fence with positive stops at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
• Conveniently mounted center fence controls
• Rabbeting ledge is built into the tables

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

• Motor
• Set of 3 high speed heat treated steel knives
• Two material push blocks
• Dust collection port
• Cutterhead guard
• Push button switch
• Standard knife setting gauge

SPECIFICATIONS
Cutting Capacity (WxD/in): 6 x 1/2
Cutterhead Speed (RPM): 6000
Number of Knives: 3
Rabbeting Capacity (in): 1/2
Table Surface (WxL/in): 7-1/4 x 66
Fence (HxL/in): 4 x 38
Blade Size (LxWxT/in): 6-1/16 x 9/8 x 1/8
Fence Tilts: 45 degrees L, 45 degrees R
Positive Stops: -45 degrees, 90 degrees, 45 degrees
Motor (TEFC): 1 HP, 1 Ph, 115/230V; Prewired 115V
Shipping Weight (lbs): 287

Product Details

Product Manual [406kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 248 pounds
• 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.
• ASIN: B00005NMU3
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1791279K
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,259 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #43 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Jointers
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basement Woodworker, November 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Powermatic 1791279K Model 54A 6-Inch 1-Horsepower Jointer, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

First let me say that this is an excellent jointer, they did ALMOST everything right. The long bed is really worth the extra money. The boards I have run show no signs of snipe, at least none that I can see, and this is from straight out of the box. Please note that set up of the jointer is a two person job so have some help on hand.

I also got the HTC mobile base so I can move it out of the way - this was money well spent. Given the shape of the stand, I also cut a 1/2" piece of plywood to fit in the bottom of the mobile base for more support.

One nice detail is the set of tools they give you (metric) for setup. The bad thing is they don't send all that you will need! You are going to need at least a 12mm socket wrench to adjust the motor. They also don't include all of Allen wrenches you need to set the fence. This is not a big problem but why do it half way?

The jointer comes in two boxes - one with the stand, one with everything else. Be sure to setup the motor (this involves unbolting and sliding it up) BEFORE you mount the jointer on top; it's very awkward to do afterwards.

The one thing that made me mad was that the machining for the blade guard mounting hole was off and the guard just would not go on properly! After several hour of fiddling I got it to work but for a tool this expensive, this simple gadget should have worked the first time, damn it! This is not to say that yours will be like this.

Now that I have all of the problems out of the way I am very happy with the performance of this tool.

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Workshop Jointer, December 21, 2002

By 

Timothy J. Connolly (Freeport, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powermatic 1791279K Model 54A 6-Inch 1-Horsepower Jointer, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Powermatic 54A 6" jointer is, in my opinion, the first step in to real industrial quality jointers.
Many of the other benchtop and even a few of the floor standing models of jointer I looked at prior to purchasing the Powermatic
just did not compare.
This is a heavy machine. You are not going to have to worry about it sliding across a bench or tipping should you put a little too much pressure on the fence.
It is easy to set up as long as you have a way to get the machine on to it's cabinet stand.
I lifted mine with a small block and tackle and easily lowered it on to the stand.
After that it's just a matter of putting on the belt,and fence and making sure the tables are at the correct height (which they were right from the box) and that's it.
Powermatic even includes a couple of real drop forged wrenches and allen wrenches to aid in setup.
No, not EVERY tool needed to completely set up the machine is included. Though I think some people would not be happy if it came with a tool truck.
It is quiet during operation and leaves the work piece as smooth as glass.
Powermatic recommends moving the fence in and out to use different parts of the knives when doing a lot of edging.
This is a good idea and you'll get those smooth edges a lot longer this way.
I really like the longer tables as well.
If you install the provided dust chute be sure to use it.
The machine makes mounds of shavings and quickly clogs all the way up to the knives if no vacuum is attached to the chute.
It does however run very well without the chute and is easy to clean out after use.
You will need some kerosene or a petroleum based solvent to remove the shipping grease from the unpainted surfaces.
I had a hard time finding a product to prevent rust on the tables and spent more than a few hours removing flash rust.
I tried several of the new water based polymer micro filler miracle rustproofers made especially for woodworking and none of them prevented rust from forming.
I finally sprayed out the tables with Remington Dri-lube,a dry lubricant used in gun actions. This works and works well. It also dries clear with absolutely no residue to harm your work.
So far it is the only product I have found that actually prevents rust and still allows use of the machine.
The owner's manual is very good with clear instructions for setup,hints for use and clear instructions for replacing the knives.
It also came with a set of extra knives.
Take a look at the prices for the better benchtop jointers. Then take a look at the prices for the 8" jointers.
It will be easy to see that the Powermatic 54A 6" jointer is a very good value for the money.

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Heavy use Home Shop Jointer, October 8, 2001

By 

sti "2woody" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powermatic 1791279K Model 54A 6-Inch 1-Horsepower Jointer, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase (Tools & Home Improvement)

I purchased the Powermatic 54A 6" jointer and many other larger tools 15 months ago. I had to pick it up as well as pay sales tax on the same sale price. I checked another source and they would have sent it freight on a regular truck with no lift. The shipping weight is 239 pounds in two well packaged-boxes. This was a very easy to set-up (required a second person to lift casting on to the base), everything works, no damage, well packaged, ready to plug in at 110V or can easily be switched to 220V. I did additional fine adjustments. I have run several hundred board feet of hard woods over this machine. The 1 HP motor did well. There was plenty of power on a heavy cuts it still does well. You will need a duct collector. I tried a shop-vac just to test the machine, it was only okay. The Powermatic Mod 54 only has a 54" bed. (The 54A has a 66") The Delta with a longer bed is double the price of this jointer. Delta has several machines that I considered, but I have not been happy with the quality from Delta. I bout this rather than the *" Powermatic, I am happy with my choice. I had a prior large full shop of Powermatic machines and I am happy that I gave them another try. I was concerned about made in Taiwan, but it seems true and solid. This machine has delivered the same quality I saw 20 years ago from Powermatic. I would buy this same jointer today if I was making the choice again.