03/01/2024The other day I was watching a YouTube video by “The Wood Whisper” on what happened to his sponsorship from Powermatic. He was very complementary about the tools and the relationship and realized that this was just a business decision and nothing more. He still uses Powermatic with glowing reviews.It got me to thinking about my Powermatic Model 66 table saw. I started my cabinet and furniture shop in 1976 with a Craftsman contractor saw. About a year later I traded it for a used Powermatic Model 66 cabinet table saw. It was lightly used when I bought it, but it was a huge upgrade from the Craftsman saw. I do believe that the original motor was a 3 HP motor, and after years of heavy use I found that I had just worn it out and needed to replace it. I got the opportunity to replace it with a 5 HP sealed pump motor and jumped at the chance. I needed to build a platform to hold the motor and rewire the switch for 3-phase 220v power. This configuration lasted me another 43 years. During that time the only upgrade that I did to the saw was to add a Biesemeyer type fence, which was done about seven years ago. Two years ago, I found that my phase converter (Converting singe phase power to three phase power) was starting to go bad, so I decided to replace the motor and switch with a 5-horse single phase motor and new switch. While it took a little engineering on my part to make the new motor fit correctly, it all went back together pretty well.This note is to say that I have had my Powermatic Model 66 table saw for over 46 years and it has been a champion in my shop. It has been the center of my shop for cutting everything from resawing 3” lumber to sizing delicate veneers. If I were to replace it, I couldn’t image a better saw than the Powermatic Model 66 table saw. You folks build a great saw and other than a little rust, a few missing knobs, and a different color it continues to run great and do everything I ask it to do.Thank you for a great tool.

Thanks to the tech advisor that provided me with the necessary information to properly install sanding belts on my 22" drum sander and the recommendation of a leverage tool to assist the install. His knowledge is noteworthy.