Table Saw
There are many great cabinet saws on the market. When I was researching table saws a friend suggested that I look at the Powermatic Model 66. I found a Powermtic dealer who asked if I had been looking at other saws. When I said I was, he opened the saw and showed me the internal trunions on this saw then told me to compare what I was looking at to the other manufacturers saws, then, he said, I would be back to order a Powermatic 66. I took his advice and looked again at the internal mechanisms of several different saws. The Powermatic salesman was right, I came back and ordered the saw you see below. With one exception, this machine has exceeded my expectations in every way (see below!) This link will take you to the Powermatic web site for the Model 66 shown in the pictures below.
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I located
the saw in the approximate center of the shop. Power and
dust collection comes up through the floor behind the saw. Note the aftermarket switch mounted on the saw. This is the one improvement I think Powermatic could make. The old switch was difficult to locate when I wanted to turn the machine off. One time I was bending over the machine with my leg pressing against the on/off switch. I was startled when the machine turned on! The "on" button was pushed accidently just enough to engage and turn the machine on. I was not injured but I was upset with what I considered a significant design flaw. My solution was to replace the manufacturers switch with the one you see here. It is impossible to accidently turn this switch on and a simple bump from my knee will turn it off. |
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The router lift is equipped with a 3HP Porter Cable router. Shown also is my shop-built cutoff saw. |
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I converted an old router table into a permanent outfeed table. I could still use the router table but the one in the picture above is much better. |
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