Replies

1. 
   THintz | Apr 06, 2008 10:48am | #1

   I have not used the 66 and am sure it is a fine saw but the PM2000 is the new big boy on the block ( I do have a PM2000 in my shop) and brings a whole new set of features to the game. I have had a few 66 owners pass through my shop and give my PM2000 the official "holy cow" evaluation.

   I have a full review of the PM2000 at the link below and strongly suggest you consider it. The way it is made, the range of safety features and its performance (the table is deeper front to back than the 66 also...) have made this my first choice in table saws. I use mine all the time and have yet to be dissappointed by anything it does.

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/pm2000rvu.html

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

1. 
   TampaTom | Apr 06, 2008 01:41pm | #2

   Yeah, I think the 2000 has a bunch of really neato features - built in casters, a riving knife, the works... Of course, if you found a sweet deal on a 66, don't pass it up!Tom Iovino

   Tom's Workbench

   http://tomsworkbench.com

2. 
   terrylee86 | Apr 06, 2008 03:01pm | #3

   I owned a PM66 for 30 years. I now own a Laguna TS because of the riving knife and scoring. I did not think the riving knife was the big selling point when I bought it,I was going for the 12" blade and scoring. I use the scoring very little because I bought a Forrest WWII 12" #6 Special grind blade and it does not splinter. I pat myself on the back at least once a day because of that riving knife. Does the PM2000 have a Baldor motor? The 66 does. I read that Aug is the last for the 66's USA production. I would wonder about it being discontinued. Why make 2 of the same saw?

3. 
   bww_maryland | Apr 06, 2008 03:30pm | #4

   this was highlighted in the most recent FWW issue:

   http://www.powermaticcustoms.com/

   looking for a custom color?

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 06, 2008 06:05pm | #5

   Dear B,
   I am a 66 owner and let me tell you that some of the features listed as "custom" are really a great idea.1) Full Steel extension table
   2) Baldor Motor
   3) Cast Iron Leg
   4) Shelf board supports
   5) Arbor Lock (Gee who would of thought!)
   6) Riving knifeAll that is great news that perhaps somebody listens to customers! If I could do it again, I would get the 2000 as long as it has a US motor.Best,John

4. 
   sasquatch55 | Apr 06, 2008 06:29pm | #6

   I love my PM 2000.

   My dad has the 66, and that's what I grew up using in dad's shop.

   The PM 2000 has better dust collection, a larger top than the 66, and a locking arbor that makes changing blades a snap. I change from blades, dado sets, and molding knives almost every day, and that locking arbor is great. Also appreciate the ability to move the saw around the shop, and the castor system is wonderful. The riving knife is great, too.

   I'd buy this saw, again, without hesitation, and really can't understand why anybody would pass it up and pay extra to own the PM 66, with its sound -- but older -- technology.

1. 
   powermatic66 | Apr 06, 2008 07:26pm | #7

   What about the motor - is it a U.S. made Baldor on the PM2000?  Does the 66 have a better motor?  Is the PM2000 made in Taiwan whereas the 66 is made in the U.S.?  MAybe that explains the price difference?

1. 
   sasquatch55 | Apr 06, 2008 08:01pm | #8

   I don't know the answers to your questions about where the different machines are made. I only know that my PM 2000 is manufactured to very high standards, and it's been a wonderful experience owning and using it. I've put it through its paces, daily, for over a year, now, and it's been flawless. I can't speak to whether or not the PM 66 is "better" in so far as its motor is concerned. I don't know if it's made in the USA, either. I do know that I've developed a very good relationship with some of the tech support guys (WMH TOOL GROUP) in Tennessee, and they're mostly middle-aged hold overs from the original Powermatic Company in that state. They have all assured me that WMH stands behind the warranties of the new tool line (new mortiser, band saw, PM 2000 table saw, and 2800 drill press), and the PM 2000, in particular, has a very long (5 years) warranty on all the most important elements of the machine -- motor included.Whenever I've had a problem adjusting ("tuning up") a new piece of Powermatic equipment, they've been endlessly patient and helpful on the phone. I don't know if I've been just lucky in that regard, or not. All my Powermatic machines (all purchased within the past 24 mos) have been flawless in operation, once I've cleaned, adjusted, and lubed them (gotten the cosmoline off, etc).It's hard for me to imagine that the PM 66 is enough better (motor, place of manufacture, etc.) to warrant paying extra for a setup that lacks the added features that the PM 2000 provides. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.All I can tell you, for sure, is that I wouldn't trade me PM 2000 for a brand new PM 65, even if somebody were willing to replace mine, at no charge, and have it sitting in my shop -- tuned and ready to go -- tomorrow morning.The mobility is critical to me, for one thing, as I periodically have to rearrange things in order to take on a new commission (and I need to store lots of kitchen cabinets, say) or I want to add a new piece of equipment. I can move my PM 2000 from one end of the shop to the other, have it's outfeed tables set up, again, and be ripping plywood in 15 minutes -- by myself -- and that'd be just about impossible with the PM 66, unless you had an engine hoist and dolly available to you.Like I said, I spent years using my dad's PM 66, and that sucker is bullet-proof, but I wouldn't trade machines today.

1. 
   mallardmillwork | Apr 11, 2008 12:51am | #16

   I gotta throw my 2 cents in on this one...

   I bought a new 66 about a month ago and I can tell you with 100% certainty that there is no way I coulp be any happier with it.

    

   I also looked at the SawStop, and the 2000, but ultimately decided on the 66 for a couple of reason, some of which are certainly better than others.

   1. I'm 27 years old. I've been through 3 table saws already, and decided to ante up and buy one that's going to be with me until the end. The SawStop is awesome, don't get me wrong, but I'm not entirely confident that I would be able to get cartridges for it when I'm old and gray... If I'm ever at the point where I've got a production cabinet shop with employees runinng the saw, I'm all over the SawStop. For I personal saw, though, I just don't know...

   2. I live in Nashville. I feel a lot better knowing that guys getting paid to put it together live in town. Who knows, I may even see a dollar or two of that come back my way some day...  On that note, I bought it while Woodcraft was having a 10% sale a few Saturdays ago. They didn't have it in stock, but told me to come back Monday to pick it up. When I finally got it back to my shop after picking it up, the card that the QC guys initial and ship with the saw was dated the Friday before (4 days!) Anyhow, I has resolved myself to the fact that I was going to have to mess with the slot alignment, etc.... things that I've read about on Amazon and around here. To my suprise, however, everything was flawless. The top was within .002, runout was right at .001, and the slot was right on the money. Maybe I was lucky, or just getting a karma rebate; maybe the other guys set-up woes were the victims of shipping, etc...

    

   The only thing that I wish the 66 has is the slick riving knife that the 2000 comes with. The one mine came with will probably be on ebay pretty soon. I think I'll end up buying the Biessy at some point...

    

   Anyhow, for what it's worth, I'm estatic with the saw, and look forward to having it for a long, long time.

   Whit

1. 
   sasquatch55 | Apr 11, 2008 01:34am | #17

   I like the way you think and write.Integrity in every word.You and your PM 66 are a good match.

2. 
   try50772 | Apr 06, 2008 09:17pm | #9

   To take some of your Q's. Yes, to date the Powermatic 66 is still made in TN, while the 2000 is the offshore precursor to the 66. The 66 has held on because of it's USA made status, and the general public opinion. Powermatic/Jet/Wilton has reached the point where the 2000 has enough public opinion built that it can withstand the demise of the US manufactured saw. As in most cases the 66 has better motor, US made hardware, and a nicer saw table finish than the offshore model. However the design is extremely outdated as far as new ts tech goes. It is strong, robust and a mainstay of traditional US saw users. But who is that market? Commercial users are all going european for the most part or SawStop because of liability.

5. 
   JerryPacMan | Apr 06, 2008 10:12pm | #10

   I would not buy a PM2000 if it was given to me.  Lots of motor problems, broken arbor mechanisms and blade alignment problems.  Check out the links below.

     http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69218&highlight=pm2000+motor+problem

   http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=73595&highlight=pm2000+motor+problem

   Link below to arbor lock discussion.

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=37814.1

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

   "Life is not a success only journey."  Dr. Phil

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   Edited 4/6/2008 3:19 pm ET by JerryPacMan

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   Edited 4/6/2008 3:25 pm ET by JerryPacMan

   
   

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   Edited 4/6/2008 9:32 pm ET by JerryPacMan

6. 
   RickL | Apr 07, 2008 08:21pm | #11

   Not sure where I heard it but I believe the 66 is to be discontinued. 

   I have owned a 66 for many years but would buy a small slider over a 66. I bought it for the left tilt feature yearts ago and would buy a Grizzly if I wanted to limit myself to a cabinet saw.

   For my needs a slider eliminates the need for a radial arm saw and or a miter saw in the shop. There's a few models that will accept a dado as well.

7. 
   RW | Apr 08, 2008 01:57am | #12

   The 2000 is the newer deal. And its made in Taiwan, predominantly. That is about 99% of your cost difference.

   I have a 2000 at work and one at home. I love them. I think its a great saw with a lot of nice features. I can't say I've ever used a 66 so I can not compare one to the other. The arbor lock is a great design thats easy to use. The dust collection is really pretty good; though I'm sure that varies a lot with how much suction power you are connecting it to. I have used steel city, craftsman, grizzly, portables, unisaws . . . thus far I like the 2000 the best of them. I've used a SCMI also but that was about a 25 grand saw . . . now theres some nice features. But a different animal.

   I think the hopper door on the side is a great idea as well. Easy access if you ever want in there, its easy to clean anything the collection misses . . .

   They also offer them with a router lift extension table and a maple "worktop" table, both of which strike me as kind of targeting a market that's below their established price point, but thats just opinion.

   Yes, the 66 is American made until August. I do not believe that stories of it being discontinued are accurate.

   Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

1. 
   THintz | Apr 08, 2008 10:09am | #14

   I also have the PM2000 and have not had any problems with it. It aligned easily and then has held that ever since (over a year so far) though I do check all of my alignmnets monthly just to be sure.

   The only motor problems I have heard of turned out to be slightly loose belts. Everyone so far that tightened the belt no longer had the "motor problem". The serpentine belt by design runs a bit tighter than regular V belts, plus it does not squeal or stink when it slips a little. The guys I have talked with about the "motor problem" felt the blade was stalling and assumed the motor was the culprit. So far, all tightened the belt a little and that problem went away.Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

8. 
   peteryu65 | Apr 08, 2008 04:50am | #13

   Whatever you buy, just keep in mind that the PM66 has a miter slot thats misaligned (FWW, Cabinet Saw Tool Test) and does not have some nice features the 2000 has. And...... If the tool does seen troublesome like what a previous post pointed out, CALL POWERMATIC. oh, and maybe I shouldn't do this but the only saw I can recommend is the SAWSTOP!!!!!

9. 
   brownman | Apr 09, 2008 09:19am | #15

   Ditto to what every one else has said so far. I've owned the 66 for some 15 years or so. It's been a great saw and I believe I'm going to keep it as a dedicated dado saw. I just recently upgraded to a sliding/ scoring panel saw.I got a MiniMax with a 110" slider so I could easily and accurately cut larger panels. I think if I were starting out all over in woodworking today and didn't need a larger panel saw I would get a smaller saw with a slider and scoring blade on it. General( Model 50-560), Grizzly, and I believe Rikon offer such models. MiniMax,Laguna Rojek, Felder and a few others make what is called a half slider( will cross cut a least a 48" panel on the slider or wagon as it's often called), but they start getting pretty expensive at this point. Go to their websites and look them over. I believe they all have sliders/ scoring, riving knives and over blade dust collection to boot. I'd buy one of these before the Powermatic 66 or the 2000. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the 66 were to be discontinued, not that it's not well made but like one of your previous posters stated, the design is out dated. Good luck on your decision!
   Danny

   
   

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   Edited 4/9/2008 2:34 am ET by brownman