Popular Woodworking 2006-02 № 153, страница 85
Endurance Test Powermatic Model 66 After 10 years this solid, reliable machine continues to be a shop mainstay. It's surprising we haven't written an Endurance Test about the Powermatic Model 66 table saw before now. When we set up the Popular Woodworking shop more than 10 years ago, it was the first machine we bought, and it's been the central machine in our shop ever since. It's not overstating this saw's reputation to say that if you ask most home woodworkers what saw they would like to have, the Model 66 usually tops the list. In fact, lots of professional woodworkers also prefer the 66. We're not surprised. It's built like a tank, and it has run almost trouble-free during hundreds and hundreds of hours of service. Our 10" left-tilt Model 66 is the cream of the crop with a 5-horsepower, three-phase motor that continues to sing with quiet confidence and provide enough cutting power to handle any job. That includes hundreds of 3/4"-wide x 1/2"-deep dados and literally tens-of-thousands of board feet run in 8/4 hard maple and white oak. And the saw continues to operate nearly as vibration-free as the first day we set it up. One of the visual aspects of this saw that continues to impress is the mirror-polished cast iron table. It looks beautiful and has always been flat and smooth within more-than-acceptable tolerances. In fact, we've even used one of the cast iron wings as a lapping plate for trueing hand plane soles. The saw's trunnion system has remained true and solid throughout the years with hardly any adjustment necessary, even to the 90° and 45° blade stops. Just this year we ABOUT OUR ENDURANCE TESTS Every tool featured in our Endurance Test column has survived at least two years of heavy use in our shop here at PopularWoodworking. started to notice some play in the blade bearing and performed what is thus far our only major maintenance: We replaced the bearing assembly. Now, it runs like new. We have had to clean out the threads in the worm gears for the height and beveling adjustment mechanisms - but that's maintenance any saw will require. Changes over the year? Very few. Our saw came equipped with a Biesemeyer 50" rip fence, which has since been replaced by an equally nice (and some might say better) Accufence. The newer fence incorporates 3/4"-thick side boards (rather than the previous ^"-thick boards) to improve fence flatness. During the previous decade, much of the tooling used to create the machined parts in the saw has been upgraded, improving the overall part quality. Powermatic has also upgraded the motor belts to reduce heat at the pulley. That's good for the belts and good for the pulley. The arbor assembly has also Powermatic Model 66 Original price: $1,950 Today's price: $2,399 Motor: 5hp, 3ph Cast iron table size: 28" x 37V2" Weight: 600 lbs. What we like: Strong, sturdy, reliable, lots of power and very low vibration. Nearly maintenance free during many years. What we'd change: Deflecting dust chute to channel dust to port; improved knuckle clearance around the wheels and motor cover. For more information: Contact Powermatic at 800-274-6848 or wmhtoolgroup.com changed from a two-piece unit to a one-piece forged assembly that offers less chance for misalignment during rough use. One cosmetic change is a more durable powder-coat finish on the cabinet instead of the paint job on ours. We do have some minor issues. When the blade is tipped to make a 45°-bevel cut, you're likely to bump your knuckles on the underside of the fence rail. Also, the location of the 4" dust port allows saw dust to build up at the front corners of the cabinet and that translates into dusty worm gears over time. But if we were to set up shop again, it's safe to say we'd be shopping for another "66." PW — David Thiel 86 Popular Woodworking February 2006 |
