And it ought to for the price. I bought the homeshop edition because I had no use for the aircraft-carrier-sized extension tables on the regular model. The tilt mechanism works smoothly and easily, and little effort is required to bring the blade back to 90ý. The fence is more heavily built than the Biesemeyer I saw on a Unisaw at a WW show. Everyting was spot on out of the box. No tune-up was needed. It took me about a hour to get it ready to use. The buyer has to supply his own 220 plug and cord. It doesn't come with a cast-iron wing on the right side, but I haven't been bothered by the lack. I even like the color; I hope Jet (Powermatic's new owner) doesn't change it. If Amazon is offering delivery by FedEx, I highly recommend that choice.

I've used many tablesaws over 20 years, and this one ranks among the very best. It is directly comparable to the Canadian General, though with far better customer support and parts availablity. To save money, I considered getting a Delta, but when I compared the two side by side at a local shop, I was amazed by the difference. The Powermatic is so much more solid, has such better precision, and in general just feels so much better than the DElta that the $300 more that it costs is easy to justify. This is just a far better tool than the Delta. To be specific: I gave the two saws a thorough going-over with my Starret straightedge and calipers, and really looked at precision, construction quality, and design. The Delta came out looking flimsy and even shoddy, though I still think it's a good saw for home shops. THe Powermatic is downright burly and its precision is amazing. The iron table in particular is glass-smooth and showed NO LIGHT under my .01" Starret rule. A great bit of milling. I especially like the fence, which is constructed sorta like the Biesmeier, but heavier. The tilt and depth of cut wheels are heavy and turn very smoothly. Returning to 90 degrees is easy. The Delta blade guard is too flexible. The Powermatic's works well and feels safely rigid. The only things I don't like about the Powermatic: the three-wheel rolling base is not as good as Delta's, and the laminated table is too flexible for heavy loads.

This is one awesome table saw! I used to have a Grizzly contractor saw that drove me nuts - the fence and blade required constant re-adjustment. I've had my PM 66 for 3 years, and have cut thousands of board feet of lumber - haven't even re-adjusted the fence once! Dead-on accurate everytime.pRecommendations: - Get the 52" table extension. I dropped a Rout-R-Lift router base into the extension table to save space in my shop, and LOVE the ability to use the PM 66 fence for dadoes and rabbets on plywood projects (bookcases, TV stands, etc).p- Get the HTC mobile base. Easy to move the saw, and locks in solid. With the weight of the PM 66, this provides a completely stabile, yet mobile, cabinet saw.p- Wire the motor for 220V. Runs whisper quiet. Also, if you get the HTC mobile base, spend a few extra $$ and get a long, heavy-gauge electrical cord that you wire into the motor. I can move my saw anywhere in my shop, plug it into the 220V receptacle, and never worry about tripping over the cord. p- Don't think twice about the cost, if you are a professional or serious hobbyist. Fit and finish are superb. Dead-on accurate. Rock solid. Own one, and you'll understand.

After getting by for years with a lesser saw, I decided to go "all the way" with this special edition of the famous Model 66. It could not be better. I highly recommend using a TS aligner or other precision tool for setup. pThe only drawbacks I have found are not with the saw itself but with the accessories. For example, I would not recommend the Powermatic mobile base. It's three wheel design is less than rock stable and I found it unsatisfactory. Get a four wheel one like the Shop Fox. I also found that using the Biesemeyer Snap-In Spreader instead of the clunky blade guard contraption that comes with the saw really improves things. pThis special edition package included a dado insert as well as the standard insert. So, even though it shows up as an optional accessory, don't order it.pThis is an outstanding saw!

You will want to put this saw in a display case. I have used the delta and jet a lot in the past. My recomendation is to buy this one if at all possible. It runs very very smooth, the Table top is perfectly ground and hand wheel movement is effortless.I had some problems with Jet's attention to detail and overall quality and delta's customer support but Powermatic is superb in both areas. The extension table is OK (I would like to see better) and watch for shipping damage (they must drop the heavy packages a lot). However if you like great cuts and you want to make your woodworking buddies drool... buy this saw.

Had been looking for a cabinet saw for about a year, to replace my contractor type saw. I saw this home shop version and liked the concept. It arrived the first time totaly destroyed. The shipping company must have dropped it several times. I sent it back and called Amazon.com cust service, They were extremely nice and helpfull. I received the replacement 2 TWO Days later this machine was in perfect condition. It took me about 4 hours to set up and check all adjustments, The fence distance indicator was the only adjustment I had to change. Have had the saw for over a month now, what a SAW, Why did I strugle with the old one all those years. PS- Thank yoy Amazon.com for your excellent service.

I have been wanting a Powermatic 66 for over 25 years but until now had to make do with a much cheaper table saw sold by a popular chain store/catalog outfit. That saw did the job, but shook like Elvis Presley and could not be properly adjusted. Well, I have my Powermatic now, and I'm very pleased, but putting it together has been frustrating. Buyers should be aware that they are really buying a "kit" - not only is some assembly required, but some correction of manufacturing faults may be needed. The first (and biggest) problem I encountered was that the left extension wing tilted up when bolted to the table, leaving a low spot of 0.02 inch when a Starrett straight edge was laid across the assembled table. Not good! The cause was that the left edge of the main table section was not ground square with the top. Correcting this bit of sloppiness required three hours of hand fitting with a machinist's scraper and square. The second principal difficulty was discovered after frustrating hour trying to mount the front rail according to instructions. I finally realized that it could not be done because of inadequate clearance in the mounting holes. Drilling and filing fixed this. The third problem had me baffled for awhile: With the blade tilt stops set accurately at 0 and 45 degrees, the pointer could be set to register correctly at 0 or 45, but not both! After some thought, I realized that the scale had been mounted too close to the pointer. This was corrected by drilling a new mounting hole for one of the screws.
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br /After three days of work, the saw is finally up and running. It's been too much work, but I'm going to love this saw. On the plus side, I did not have to adjust the table to put the blade parallel with the miter gauge groove. Also, vibration is minimal. I can start the saw with a nickel balanced on edge (but not a penny). Most importantly, the trunions are pretty much dead on. Measuring from the same tooth to the miter gauge grove, the distance varies no more than 0.004 inch between front and back (blade all the way up) and middle (blade down). Also, using a Starrett machinist's square, perpendicularity between blade and miter gauge shows no perceptible change as the blade is raised or lowered. These tolerances are critical because poor machining could have created errors that cannot be adjusted out (as I had with my old saw). Now that the saw is together, my only remaining complaint is that there is a low frequency (2-3 second) harmonic noise of undetermined origin. I'm sure this is the best saw available for the money, but I would have gladly spent another $100-200 for just a little extra care in machining and assembly.

After reading the reviews here and elsewhere, I decided to purchase this saw. Others have waxed eloquently on the quality of this tool, and I certainly agree. But, I had two problems when the saw arrived. First the left steel extension table was not perfectly machined. The table surface was great, but the edge of the extension that bolts to the main table top was slightly irregular. The result being that try as hard is I could, the extension could not be made perfectly parallel to the main table. This was not insignificant, with the exterior edge of the extension ending up about 1/32 of an inch higher than the main table. Secondly, the miter gauge that shipped with the machine had a fit and finish problem. The bottom of the gauge had an imperfection (bump) that was sharp enough to scratch my table top the first time I used it.

I ordered the saw a few weeks ago on Amazon. Delivery took a while, as the freight company had to lug it across the country. Finally scheduled the delivery -- freight company was very easy to deal with and put it on a liftgate truck with no hassles. You'll want this service, by the way -- unless you happen to have a forklift in your garage.
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br /No surprise - The pallet is *heavy*. Took about an hour to uncrate and take off all the easy-to-remove weight. That leaves about 400 pounds. Tip: if you have to move it far (such as I did, down to a basement workshop), rent a handtruck like those used for moving refrigerators. With the handtruck and three guys, it was an easy move.
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br /Pretty much everything was dead-on accurate out of the box. Once hooked up to power (remember you have to supply your own power cord), it cuts smoothly and cleanly. The trunion moves incredibly easily, especially considering its weight -- but doesn't budge once locked in place.
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br /All in all, it was worth the wait (and the weight)! Highly recommended.
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Took delivery on the tool several weeks back, and in spite of the impressive crating of the tool, the unit arrived damaged (broken switch/starter assembly) and the separately boxed extension table was mushroomed at one corner. pAfter two weeks of having to harrass various customer service groups to get the parts through the order process and actually on a vehicle heading to my part of the country, the parts arrived. Total setup time was about 4 hours' worth of work, and about two weeks total duration.pInstalling the extension table is a breeze, and most mating parts lined up perfectly (I did have to grind two of the table top attachment point slots wider as getting the top dead parallel with the blade was not doable with the factory borings.)pThe tool itself is well crafted to say the least. The unit is absolutely massive, and vibration is all but eliminated. I was able to stand a penny on end on the table, start the motor and turn off the motor, and the coin did not quiver once. The cast iron top is polished to a mirror finish and as far as my testing indicates, is dead flat. The fence operates very smoothly and locks into position prefectly parallel with the blade (once initially aligned.) pNote that the extension table shipping with the saw as I write this is not the green color pictured, but rather is a black laminate over particle board. Also, to potential buyers, make sure you inspect the bottom of the beefy miter gauge to make sure it is burr-free (I had a couple of small ones I ground down after a few minor scratches in the top.)pHaving never used this model before yet having heard it regarded as the 'gold standard', my high expectations of power and accuracy were met. Wish I had purchased this years ago.

The new Powermatic 66 arrived. It was dead on accurate out of the crate. Total set up time was four hours plus. Although it was ordered with a Powermatic Mobile Base, it arrived from Woodcraft with a competitor's base. Odd, but I haven't had time to work that out yet. The machine can be put into a mobile base single-handedly. It has all the power I'll ever need; I even practiced with an older blade and the oak skids with which the saw was shipped. It produced truly glue-ready joints in the well seasoned three inch oak. I was marginally concerned that the Router Lift would be a problem when working with the table saw, especially with the 30 inch fence, but everything works great. One would have to be trying to hang-up anything on the router plate while working with the saw. Gave up an old (OLD) Craftsman for this one. Wish I had done it years ago. You won't be disappointed.pOkay, I've had the saw a year now. I have cut more 5/4 Ipe than I ever thought existed. I'm using it to re-do my porch railing. Ipe is very hard on blades, I have tended to use the [how do you say?] less expensive Dewalt blades for most of the Ipe cutting. Last night I put the WWII back on to cut some cherry legs for a table I am making. As mentioned when I first got the saw, those cuts on the cherry with the WWII were good enough to glue together if that's what you wanted to do. Biggest problem I am having is trying to get the correct Biesmeyer splitter for the PM. Couple of problems I have had were handled quickly by PM service folks. NO PROBLEM with service. Great saw. I have been making extensive use of an older Delta Unisaw at a local shop class, that's a good saw, too; but I'm always glad to get back to my PM66. Of course, using the 14" PM at class makes be think I have a toy when I get home, but I can live with that.

Don't fear the Taiwan made machines. I just got the Powermatic 719A Mortiser, which is made in Taiwan, and I just received the 60B jointer as well, and they were superb right out of the box. Considering the condition of the Model 66 table saw I just received, I have to be a bit concerned, which is not made in Taiwan if you get my drift. It had 7 major problems with it. They were correctable, because it wasn't design problems, it was assembly problems. Obviously it was built by someone, or some many who didn't really care about what they we're doing. Total disregard would be an accurate comment. The top plate that is welded to the base, was not aligned before it was welded. Consequently I had to remove the cast iron top, and drill out the slots in the sheet metal. (You'll notice many other reviews with the same problem) It was the only way I could get an accurate alignment with the blade. The 90 and 45 degree stop settings were checked off on the quality control spec sheet, and signed, and they weren't even close. Decals installed way off, the bevel gauge was drilled and installed so far off that the readings are as much as 5 degrees off. I will have to redrill and reinstall it. The insert surrounding the blade refused to lay flush with the top, even though it had 4 adjustable allen bolts. I had to use a rubber hammer on a bench for a while to get it straightened out. All that being said, I must admit, after spending hours getting the saw perfect, it is the most beautiful and accurate tool you could ever hope to own. I treat it like a waxed Ferrari, it is that beautiful. Also both Powermatic factory reps and Amazon Tool Crib customer service are the best in the industry. They really stand behind the product. Don't misunderstand me, if I had to do it all over again, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. It really is the best out there. That being said,
br / I'm now a PMatic made in Taiwan fan; Combining the dollar conversion rate, and the cost of living, with Taiwanese products experiencing a strong uplift in quality, and Powermatics insistence that they are made to their specifications, all adds up to a jointer that used to cost 1800 dollars, and now costing 1100 and hasn't lost its edge on quality. I'm sorry but I am disappointed in the obvious disdain the workers here had while building what is the best in the industry table saw.
br /A lot of people are buying the old made in America Powermatic machines, a lot of people are buying the new Powermatic made in Taiwan machines and I agree with both of them. To tell you the truth I don't care where they make it, I'm in love with the industrial grade quality of Powermatic equipment.
br /This 60B jointer is one superbly engineered and precision built piece of equipment. Even though their were a few MINOR anomalies when I first received it, it's perfect now. I love all of my Powermatic equipment, and I hope that the crews at home shed the anger and once again get back to making the very best products in the world. Highly recommended.
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I give this saw an A. I have had mine for nearly a year and could not be happier. The only problem I have had was minor and easily fixed. One of the bolt slots that had the bolt that held the table to the cabinet needed to be elongated in order to square the table with the cabinet. This was easily accompilished with a 3/8" round file. The fence the saw comes with is perfect if you have limited space like I do, not too much, yet enough to get the job done, and the 3ho motor more then gets the job done. If you are looking at high end saws, I think you will be happy with this one.

Once you get past the several hours needed for set-up and the difficulty getting into your shop you will NOT be disappointed. This tool is AWESOME! Even a novice woodworker can get straight, true and accurate cuts with very little effort and experience. The cuts rarely need additional finishing. There is no vibration, hesitation or error with this machine. I wish I had bought one long ago.

and this is a fine tool. I have owned two 66's over the years and have yet to have a complaint. Thank goodness they are still being made. They are heavy,which makes them very stable, (be sure to have a lift truck deliver it). But, if you want to do accurate and fine woodworking you need this saw.

The Powermatic 66 (3hp) has been in my shop since 1984. It has ripped, crosscut, mitered, dadoed, molded, mortise-tenoned, styled-railed, worked wide materials and very small items all to perfection. In my book, this is with out a doubt the saw of choice! It has never failed to respond to a request that I have made of my Mr. 66.pThe saw is equipped with a Beismeyer fence, as I tell my freinds, if you want to remove 128th of an inch of material bring it to Mr. 66, set it and cut it. The tables show the quality story, smooth and polished. pAs you can see, I respect this tools because of the capacity and performance it produces. Mr. 66 is truily a joy to work with. It runs several hours a day which causes, because of the hard we work, to go through the edge of quality blades about every two weeks, then off to the sharpening shop. Buy it, use it and enjoy it, as I have. Charles D. Wallin

Great!! Took very little time to set up out of the box. Very accurate and powerful. Amazon shipping was very fast.