If
you've always wanted to own Powermatic's model 66 table saw, but you've
held off because of the space it demands, then take a close look at
Powermatic's Special Edition 66, built with the home workshop in mind.
This is a piece of shop equipment that makes a toolhound's heart beat
faster. The eye-catching high-grade cast-iron top is machine-polished to a
mirror finish. The saw's table--impressively thick and durable--has both a
cast-iron wing extension and a laminated extension (total surface: 28 by
53-3/4 inches). With one of the heaviest cast-iron trunnions on any
10-inch saw on the market, the model 66 virtually snuffs out vibration.
The double drive-belt system--hooked up to the burly 3-horsepower
motor--delivers pretty astonishing power. A C-flange mount takes the
weight of the motor, so the blade cranks up or down easily without the
extra weight. The saw's hand wheels are also made of cast iron and have
excellent clearance.
The heart of any table saw, arguably, is
the fence--and Powermatic's Special Edition 66 sports the award-winning
Accu-Fence, a system that uses only two moving parts to create
easy-gliding, precision, no-budge fence action. The left-tilting blade
tilts away from the fence, which helps prevent kickback and binding of the
stock, making for smoother cuts. The two-sided blade guards work
independently of each other, so the blade is always covered. The guards
also swing totally out of the way to make blade changes easy. Behind the
blade, there are antikickback pawls for added safety. The saw's base has a
clean-out door, allowing you easy access to the saw body and making
cleanup a snap--no reaching around the saw components or having to remove
the motor cover. You'll also receive a load of extras, including a dado
insert, a motor cover, and an extension table and legs. Admittedly, this
isn't a cheap saw; without a doubt, however, it is an excellent one that
would make a great addition to any shop. As with almost everything, you
get what you pay for--in the case of Powermatic's Special Edition 66, you
get a fantastic piece of equipment your friends will envy. --Jon
Groebner
