Powermatic's
model 66 table saw is a beautiful thing right out of the box, its
high-grade cast-iron top machine-polished to a mirror finish. For a
second, it almost looks too good to use for work--but only for a second.
This is a piece of shop equipment that makes a toolhound's heart beat
faster. The saw's big table (28 by 38 inches) is impressively thick and
durable, so it will stay flat and true. With the heaviest cast-iron
trunnion of any 10-inch saw on the market, the model 66 virtually snuffs
out all vibration. This model also includes Powermatic's Excalibur table
extension with a cross-cutting fence, which can be angled for making miter
cuts. The double drive-belt system, hooked up to the burly 5-horsepower
motor, delivers pretty astonishing power to the blade; we tried everything
we could think of--including a big hunk of oak two-by--but the blade never
bogged down for a second. 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 model 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. --Jon Groebner
