I received the saw and all 7 boxes. Driver was very helpful in delivering directly to shop. From one of the previous reviews I read here, I had put together the mobile base (bought separately) first and was able to move the saw base from the pallet to the mobile base. This is definitely the way to go.
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br / First the good. I had always heard that the Powermatic 66 was the "best". I was impressed by the fit and finish of the saws that I had seen. I still feel that the finish on the top is the best anywhere. The packaging provided good protection. The extension wings went on easily and were easy to align properly. I got the wood extension table and it arrived intact without problem.
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br /Now the not so good. Installing the front rail for the accufence, the instruction manual has you ensure exactly 2 27/32" from table to front rail and that this dimension is critical. However, after attaching the rail to table, it was not possible to achieve this "critical" dimension. Contacting Powermatic by phone(don't try the URL address provided, it doesn't work), they informed me that as long as the offset is consistent from table to rail that acceptable performance can be achieved (i.e., 2 14/16 or 2 13/16 was OK as long as this was consistent along the length of the table. (So much for critical). Not having this info initially cost me a couple hours unnecessary setup time. I also had difficulty getting the guide bar to be a consistent length from the table to the bar. The Powermatic rep(different individual) I contacted assured me that this had never been a problem before. (so I must be making it up?). I started removing mounting bolts from the underneath of the guide bar and found that one of the holes was offset enough to prevent the guide bar from being paralell. Once removed, it was possible to properly align the guide bar.
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br /Once the fence was set up, I attempted to adjust for paralell. I spent a lot of time and was never satisfied with results, but the dimensions from the infeed and outfeed side of blade to the fence were equal or the outfeed was a hair greater. I never got a smooth cut. I assumed that the blade I was using was at fault, and bought a Forrest blade (very nice). I tried again and got better results but still not what I expected. There was always a gap between the wood and the fence on the outfeed side or I would get binding if adjusted the outfeed side further in.
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br /I decided to invest in a rather expensive precision gauge to measure for exact paralell. What I found is that the accufence side plate which is UHMW plastic is concave, going in approximately 8 mils at the center of the cut. I am still working on getting this right, I ought to be able to shim it.
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br /In summary, when the saw is up and running, it is very smooth and powerful. Very heavy arbor, low vibration, excellent lift and tilt mechanisms. The surface finish is excellent, but the fit of the fence was disappointing to say the least. I suspect this will be an excellent tool when finally adjusted. I had an inexpensive craftsman before and required a lot of adjustment and aftermarket add ons to make it work smoothly. I didn't expect the same from Powermatic. I am convinced top quality tools are worth the expense, but I expect top quality. I can recommend the HTC mobile base and the Forrest blade that I bought for this tablesaw, but the verdict on the saw itself is questionable.
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br /Update 9/04 - I have had the saw for over a year now. I attached a steel plate to the fence which came with magnetic feather boards which I had purchased separately and this resolved the issue with the concave fence. The saw cuts smoothly and accurately each time now. I am very happy with the saw.
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br /I treated the table surface with talc powder like recommended in the book rather than waxing as I have done with past saws. I was initially satisfied with this, however, I keep the saw in a garage which is not heated. One very warm day in February, I opened up the door to the garage and to my horror watched the mirror surface of the saw turn almost the same color gold as the saw body from the moist air condensing on the cold metal top. I was able to subsequently clean it up again and then applied a wax coat and have had no problems since. I am very happy with the saw currently and would recommend it but still am disappointed that it took so much extra work to get it set up initially to cut correctly.

The Powermatic 66 is a wonderfully built tool that has both finish details and thoughtfulness of design that make it far superior to any other tool in or out of its class. The table arrives perfectly flat. Blade tilt has stops that are set to within 0.002" from the factory (0 deg. and 45 deg.). You can adjust these if you need to.pThe blade guard functions wonderfully and is very simple to adjust and use. It is easily removed and offers surprisingly good visibility. No matter what the gripes are about the blade guard, I think Powermatic should be commended for trying to offer something more substantial and functional than any other manufacturer's stock guard. The guard alone is worth the price difference to the near competitors. A lost finger would also make up the price difference if you opted for a machine with an unusable guard.pThe miter gauge is very solid and stable. The motor is a Baldor industrial TEFC that runs ever so quietly. My saw developed a quiet rattling after a couple weeks of use. The Powermatic tech support was brilliant in diagnosing the noise and talking me through its adjustment. They will give you a direct number to a person who knows the machine inside and out and they are available and patient in helping you. They'll send you parts under warranty, if they were ever needed, instead of making you go through the hassle of taking the machine to a dealer or service center.pA stable, quiet, powerful and massive machine with not a single flaw.

Three years ago I sold my Unisaw, which I had had for 25 years, and bought the PM 66. I thought it was time to own the saw that many consider to be the benchmark standard of the industry.
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br /Almost from the beginning, the motor would occasionally have a strange sound upon starting. The Tech people claimed that dust had migrated into the (sealed) magnetic switch, and I should just blow it out. I don't use the saw everyday, but this would happen every few months, and I would drag my air hose out once again.
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br /Well, one day last week the motor screamed, heated up and died.
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br /Took the motor to an authorized service center for Baldor. They said motor was completely shot, and was defective from the getgo. Said a new motor would be less expensive than fixing this one.
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br /Cost of new motor = $412.
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br /Wrote and called Powermatic. They were sypathetic ("yeah, that happens sometimes"), but said they could not help because the warranty period had expired.
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br /Went up the chain of command, and finally found a guy that said he would give me a new motor for $200. Tired of the battle, and frustrated, gave him my credit card number.
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br /MORAL OF THIS STORY: If you have a problem, don't procrastinate, and don't take no for an answer. That motor was defective out of the box. I knew it, and so did the people at Powermatic. I should have pursued the issue more zealously at the first sign of a problem. And even now, I know I should not have accepted their settlement offer ($200 for a new motor) so meekly.

The Powermatic is all I expected it to be. What suprised me was the service from Amazon and Powermatic. A small problem with a chip in the extension table. The response from Amazon and Powermatic was exceptional. I will always buy from Amazon. The only problem I see is if you buy an 8" Dado, BE CAREFUL!! You can raise it into the dado insert that comes with the saw. NO I didn't do it. But I came close. Oh yes. You will need a 30 Amp. circuit for this saw. The saw runs perfect, is a breeze to set up, and runs like no other saw.

Actually I recieved my saw from Amazon.com (Toolcrib)over a year ago, and all I can say is I still am happy I made the big purchase. The saw comes crated on a pallet with about 5 other boxes. Everything arrived fine, I did have some minor blemishes, despite the protective film and lube coverings on the cast iron leaves, but was able to polish that off. Setup is time consuming, as I assembled it together myself. I had built an outside workshop last summer, so I had to get 3 others to move the saw in crate about 100 feet and up some stairs. Tip: have a dolly handy when the saw arrives, as delivery literally means a motorized tailgate dropoff.br Directions were good for assembly, I also had purchased the mobile base for saw and table. As my workshop floor is not level, it required leveling the saw and base before rails and fence assembly. I also had to adjust the fence off the saw table surface using the shims and tightening the fence screw sets (they should have been tightened better than this). Wiring the motor (10gauge) was easy enough, I need to move my saw around in my small shop so I have plenty of extra flex conduit running from my subbox, something to think about before assembly if you plan on being mobile.brOverall, saw runs very well, like everyone says, weight keeps vibration to almost nil. Saw designed well for maintenence, fairly easy to keep cleaned up, fence even slides easier with a little wear on it, I also tend to check fence alignment very regularly and adjust accordingly. . Am I happy to have this beast. You bet.

The eagle has landed!!! I finally added the PM66 to my arsenal of tools and it's a beautiful site. I haven't finished the assembly as of yet but here's what I've found so far:
br /1) The extension tables will not sit flush from front to back. The center area seems to be bowed ever so slightly on both sides.
br /2) The 1/4-20 screws that connect the front guide rail to the saw are crap. I've already broke two of them. I DID NOT OVERTIGHTEN THEM. It just seems that there will be so much stress and strain on this front rail that a larger, coarser thread should be used. I have purchased stainless steel screws to replace the 3 cent garbage shipped with this $2200 saw. Come on PM, for this kind of money you can't use a better screw???
br /3) I was told that the saw DID NOT come with a dado insert and I purchased one when I picked up my saw. The insert DOES come with the saw.
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br /I can only hope that the reat of the setup goes smoother than first two steps. I spent the additional money for quality which I can only hope is what I get.

First let me start by saying that I am a product engineer for one of the largest high quality furniture manufactures in the world. Believe me when I say I know what kind of quality equipment it takes to get the job done right. I did a lot of researching before making my decision.
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br /After I purchased my model 66 in March of '04 I had no problems with the assembly. Everything fit just like the instructions said. I did have to make an adjustment to the top to get the miter slots parallel to the blade. I encourage everyone to check this from the start. This makes it a much easier task to square the fence or any other sled that you make.
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br /After seeing the mobile base at a local woodworking show, I chose not to purchase one. It appeared to be too weak and too expensive at $199 to hold a 600 pound saw. I went to a local steel distributor and purchased the materials I needed to build my own. I also purchased some swivel casters from McMaster Carr. With all that in mind, including having someone to help me fabricate my own mobile base, I have less than $100 in it. I believe my base is far better than anything you can purchase - not to mention cheaper.
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br /In the 6 months since I purchased my 66, I have had nothing but success. I had even read one review where someone had taken a penny and placed in on the top on its edge, turned the saw on and off without the penny falling over. I had to try this myself - it's like magic. Absolutely the smoothest running saw I have used. I was ripping 8/4 lumber with very little effort. By far the smoothest gluing edges I have seen yet. I find it hard to believe that some people had a poor review with their 66. I have heard since purchasing my model 66 that a cheaper Taiwan built saw is available. Could be that someone got one of those. I recommend staying with a USA made saw - this could be the difference. Although the Delta and Jet are a little cheaper, the powermatic is well worth the extra spending. Let face it, you are going to spend $1500 to $1800 anyway - what's another $300 to $600. There's an old saying; you get what you pay for. Being a professional furniture engineer and a woodworking hobbyist, the powermatic model 66 is simply the best saw and investment you will ever make.
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I received my Model 66 a couple of weeks ago and wanted to use the saw for a little while to make my review more accurate. I received the saw in all of its glory from ABF Freight in excellent condition. It took me two nights to upack and assemble the saw and another afternoon to make certain the blade and fence were properly aligned.
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br /I, too, had a little problem getting the fence to be exactly 2 27/32" from the table top. But, I found that drilling through the predrilled hole on the fence rail on the far left into the left cast iron table wing took care of it. The holes on the rail want to make the fence rail move slightly when they are tightend. I used the same drill bit to ever so slightly enlarge the predrilled holes in the fence rail to allow the rail to be at the proper distance when tightened. For a saw that weighs 600 pounds or so, I didn't think this was a big deal.
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br /Aligning the blade to the miter slot and the fence to the blade was a piece of cake. It took a little time, but considering how much I will use the saw and how sweet it is, I don't consider this wasted time.
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br /I previously owned a Jet contractor saw which I had pretty much tweaked as much as I could. I loved my Jet contractor saw and was able to get some really nice cuts on it. However, it wasn't in the same league as the Powermatic Model 66. This rascal is so heavy and stable, it cuts like a laser. I highly recommend this machine to anybody looking for a table saw. I think it is worth the extra money to get the best. When you figure how much use you will get out of it and the fact that the saw will probably last longer than the user, the extra money is well spent.

There is not much to say about this saw that hasn't already been said 1 million times. It's the best out there, but you pay for it. I examined many shops, garages, and woodworking stores before finally investing in the Powermatic, but I would not change anything now that I have it. The fit and finish is perfect, the power is ample, and the cuts are amazing. Combine this machine with a Forrest woodworker II and you're ready for just about anything. It took me a while to get the machine all set-up and the tolerances dialed in, but careful setup leads to successful production. All items arived in good shape, and went together as planned. I used a dial gauge mounted on a miter-gauge insert for all my alignment which was priceless. I measured the arbor flange runout at less that 0.001" at the outer rim of the flange. The only complaint I have is the price.

Aside from some minor problems ( wrong size rip fence knob and the laminate on the extension table was cracked and divoted) that were replaced, this is one great saw. I've used a Uni Saw a lot in the past and still rate the Model 66 quite a cut above. Its unbelievably solid. An Earthquake would have trouble moving this. Even cuttting a 13/16 dado in 5/4 oak produced any mesurable vibration. The new fence system is great. The rip fence itself weighs close to 40 lbs. Buy one...you'll love it.

I reviewed the Delta, JET, General and Powermatic. Although I am not a professional woodworker I believe in bying professional tools. I love my Powermatic. I have it for 3 years and never had any regrets. It was easy to setup, cuts clean, and sits like a tank in my small shop. I would recommend this saw to anyone who wants to have a saw for life and pass to their grandchilden.

I just received my new Powermatic 66 table saw and within a few hours (spread over two days) I had is completely assembled. The instructions were great and the saw performs beautifully. It was delivered in six boxes with the main part mounted on a pallet. After removing the table top, I was able to slide the frame (with motor) off the pallet and onto the mobile base by myself. At that point I began assembly with help from my wife to add the wings. The instructions suggest using talc powder instead of paste wax on the exposed metal surface. That is a first for me, but I am giving it a try. The saw is very stable and easy to make adjustments on. Next, I am going to build an outfeed table and make it easy to attach/detach from the main unit (as I have limited space which varies with/without the main car in the garage). I would recommend this saw to anyone and I am glad I spent the extra money up front. Hope to have this saw for the next 25 years minimum. Finally, just an FYI, Powermatic is now part of the same company which owns Jet.

Oh My God, this saw is a dream, but when I first unpacked it and saw the 2 7 foot long pieces of angle iron I was VERY SKEPTICAL. But my son and I suffered through the assembly and alignement over 2 beers (for me) and a pop (for him).. total time near 3 hours to first spin of the blade. Absolutely no problems with assembly or adjustments and alignments. Heavy metal needs 4 hands in some cases, but that is what my son was there for. Impressive manual and easy to follow instructions provided you go slow and pay close attention to each detail as you progress in the assembly process. The saw cuts like a dream, blades do make a difference, have experimented with a few different brands and agree with other reviews.... FORREST is a perfect match for this saw. The fence is wonderful! Thought it looked funny when I unpacked it especially when I pulled the two pieces of angle iron out of the carton, but I have been using this saw now for near 5 months and am truly convinced that PM is by far an exceptional piece of machinery. It is HEAVY, QUIET, VIBRATION FREE (or at least very close to vibration free). I suppose from looking at the earlier reviews, the WMH Tool group may have had some problems in the past but as far as i am concerned, I am CONVINCED that POWERMATIC has been the best bang for my buck in a long time. hehe, I even missed an adjustment in the initial setup 5 months ago, (might have been the beers that night) but used the saw for 4 months and never noticed it until I tried to cut some complex miter joints. Dug out the manual and reviewed the setup procedure and 20 minutes later recut the miter joints.. wa-lah perfect! Man this saw is about as good as anyone could expect, spend the time, go slow, follow the instructions, hehe dont just look at the pictures, and trust them to get you through the set up, you will be glad you invested the time. And 5 months down the road... you wont care how much the saw cost you in dollars, it is worth every penny!

The saw is a dream to use and is very accurate. There is one very frustrating problem however. The dust colleciton port on the back is supposed to be a standard 4" port. All the standard fittings, including the recommended JET fittings do not fit. WHM Tool Group has been very frustrating to work with. I hope they are not this problematic with other issues as well.

I have had my PM 66 for a year. It is a solid, smooth running saw. It cost a tad more than the Jet and the Delta, which I am sure are fine products, but I am sure that the quality is there with the PM. An excellent saw!

As far as how the saw works and cuts, I have nothing but praise. However, my only pet peeve is I can't stand having to use a piece of wood to keep the arbor from turning whenver I change blades. I know there are blade locks when using a single blade, but you still have to jam a 2X4 in there whenever you have to change a dado set. Powermatic knows this and has provided an arbor lock on their Model 1000 series. But, for the rest of us 66 owners, there is no relief. I have checked with my local Tool Zone and Woodcraft stores, and they both do not have or know of where an arbor lock/wrench can be acquired.

Purchased saw from local dealer paid $50.00 more than online. Couldn't wait shipping time from onlinesale. Fit and finnish excellent, better than Jet, Delta, General and everyone else. You will spend $400 - $600 more over the competitions best, you will never be satisfied untill you own a Powermatic-Bottom line, DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS. Stock fence with UWOM poly sides is good for zero clearance cuts, but for short stock use a Besiemere with laminite sides. I would recomend this saw to anyone who demands the best and appreciates quality workmanship.

Had this saw for a little over 2 years now. Works like crazy and just laughs at the tough stuff. Precise, stable, predictable and a joy to use. If you want to use the good blades and do the good work, you need this saw or one very similar.

A great saw...heavy duty...no vibration...accurate. Easy to assemble (it does take a while). It is powerful and quiet. It has a solid sound that instills confidence. The fence is great! Once set-up it stays that way. I have it for about 10 years now....and still no problems. I never even had a thought of upgrading....there is no "up" fron here!