Old PM 66

[Carl McGaug]

There was a Powermatic 66 table saw for sale locally 3 days ago for $550.I figured that it can't be much for that price but I have to check it out.Turns out (this is almost unbelievable) that it's at a catholic school for challanged kids run by nuns.The nun that taught shop passed away a number of years ago and it was stored in a heated garage.The thing is in great shape (for the age) with almost no rust on the top.
Now the down side.It's 2hp 110v. I didn't know there was a 110.I bought it anyway and it functions fine.(No cutting yet).I have seen other motors that can be wired for either 110 or 220.I haven't checked the saw motor out yet.
I didn't buy the world's only worthless Powermatic, did I?

[Larry Edgerton]

2hp on 110 will cut quite a bit, my contractor saws are 1.5hp on 110/220, and I mostly use them on 110. Chances are that your motor will allow 220 operation.

I have a 66 but its 5hp 3ph, but it is a very nice saw that stays in tune even with the things I put it through.

Even if you had to buy a motor its still a smokin deal!

Congrats....

But the story, only driven by a little old Nun, but never on Sunday, now that is priceless. :)

[Paul Ryan]

Carl,

That is still a great deal. The 2hp saw will cut plenty. You wont even notice you have a little lower power unless you are using a cheap dull blade and cutting some really thick hard wood. And worse case senario you buy a different motor for it. Have fun. You could resell it for more than that if you tried. But if you are in need of a good saw, you got it.


One thing though NO PICTURES DIDN'T HAPPEN!

[Bruce Wrenn]

Most likely the motor will be dual voltage. If not run it on a separate 20 amp branch circuit. I have a 2.0 HP Century motor on my Delta contractor's saw, on a 20 amp circuit. When I had a 1.0 HP sears saw, it would kick the circuit breaker some times, but no so with the 2.0 Century motor. Using 1 HP = 746 watts, then a 2.0 HP motor will draw 1492 watts. Dividing 1492 watts by 120 volts, you get 12.43333 amps of current draw. Of course your motor won't be 100% efficent, so current draw will be larger.

[Carl McGaug]

The school had some other stuff too.A guy bought a jointer, but I beat him to the PM.They gave him my number.He called while I was driving and said he had a shop and do I really need anything this big.Told him "not for sale". The nun story is true.I swear.:eek:

[William M Johnson]

I have a 2 hp on my PM66, it is 220. I have never been limited by power in my endevours. I only found out when I had to pull the cover off in order to install my Excalibur slider

Bill

[Charles Shenk]

Maybe go with a thin kerf blade? Is it an older motor on your saw? What color is your machine? I have an early 70's 66. Great machines.

[Carl McGaug]

Haven't even had a chance to check it out.I had to take it of the truck with my shop hoist (ala another post I read). I had to take the fence guides off to strap it for the hoist.I'll get it put back together and post a pic in a few days.Great site.Thanks to all.

[John Thompson]

You got a great deal. I doubt you will notice the difference in the 2 HP as the older motors (depending on just how old) were rated different then. The 2 HP is probably closer to true 2 HP than the newer motors rated at 3 HP which they might produce pushed to max and at the point they would melt from heat build-up. :D

Did I mention you got a great deal? ;)

Sarge..

[Pete Bradley]

That saw will be fine with the motor it has. Make sure that you have an appropriate circuit for it whether you go 110 or 220. School machines usually have mag starters which can add extra work/parts if you switch voltages.

Pete

[Paul Steiner]

I would say that the story makes that saw worth at least double what you paid. People place a great deal of value on history of objects. But thinking about Sister Mary Catherine cutting ripping boards down would always bring a smile to my face.

[Jeff Duncan]

Not really sure why you would think you'll need more than a 2 hp motor? Are you planning on bolting a power feed to run 8/4 stock through it or something? I know there's a lot of talk on here about big motors, but 2 hp should be more than enough for the overwhelming majority of hobby shops.
I have a 2 hp on my Unisaw that replaced the 1 hp original motor, and very rarely do I get it to bog down. Considering it's been in almost daily use for about a decade now I don't think you'll have a problem.
good luck,
JeffD

[Don Morris]

You forgot to add "Gloat" to Old PM66

[Chip Lindley]

...And I thought you were gonna Whine because the saw was 3-phase! lol

Until you find the saw cannot keep up with your severe ripping demands, USE IT!! As has been mentioned, *old* 2hp motors are probably more powerful than anything *rated* at 2hp today. An older Rockwell contractors saw served me very well for years, ripping even occasional 8/4 stuff, with an honest 1.5hp motor (15/7.5A)--especially after switching it to 230v! I am betting your 2hp has more BUTT than that!!

IF....you DO find you need a more powerful motor, the upside is that C-face motors with 7/8" shaft are off the shelf to bolt onto a PM66! No special mount such as on a Unisaw! But, you will also have to spring for a heavier magnetic motor starter for a 3 or 5hp motor!

But, as is, you deserve to GLOAT! GoodLuck with your *new* PM66!!

[Carl McGaug]

I would say that the story makes that saw worth at least double what you paid. People place a great deal of value on history of objects. But thinking about Sister Mary Catherine cutting ripping boards down would always bring a smile to my face.


Prob more like Sister Mary Charles Bronson.:)

[Brad Noble]

Prob more like Sister Mary Charles Bronson.:)

Now thats funny I don't care who you are.

Brad

[Carl McGaug]

I took a couple pics.Behind it is a grizzly 3hp shaper I got last month.$500 with a badly rusted table.Not as good a deal.:mad:





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/mak104/powermatic007.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/mak104/powermatic009.jpg

[Bruce Wrenn]

...No special mount such as on a Unisaw!

But, as is, you deserve to GLOAT! GoodLuck with your *new* PM66!!A little work with a die grinder, and a MIG welder, and mounts from old motor can be on the new one. A friend has a brake lathe in his garage, that Amaco wanted over $500 for a 1.0 HP, 1725 RPM motor. A salvaged $15.00 motor and a half hour later, he didn't need that $500 motor anymore. He has been using it daily for over 10 years now.

[Larry Edgerton]

I wonder if it is safer because it came from a church?

Don't polish off any rust spots, that may be from Holy Water!

You can no longer curse in your shop..........

[Larry Edgerton]

You posted pics while I was typing. That thing is cool! What year is it? I don't know when they were green, mine is from the late 70's and it is gold.

The Grizzley is good for an extension table! :)

You are blessed.....

[Jim Kountz]

You stole that saw from a nun!! Repent!! Man for the money you spent you got yourself one he........ uh er I mean a really nice saw!!

[Carl Babel]

Maybe you could get http://www.powermaticcustoms.com/ to put one of those really slick flame paint jobs on... (JK, big guy)

With a decent blade, you should have no troubles. You might consider getting a thin kerf blade if you plan on making 45 degree bevel cuts in 6/4 + hardwood, though...

Oh, and sweet deal!

[Carl McGaug]

The motor is a Baldor.The motor (and switch) can be changed to 220.It draws 23 amps at 110 and 11.5 at 220.I'd have to use #10 wire for 110.I'll have to change it over.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/mak104/0504091833.jpg





Man. These things are BUILT!!!

[Simon Dupay]

Maybe the saw was used for making rulers!:D

[Neal Clayton]

Man. These things are BUILT!!!


yep, that they are. now you see why everyone prefers an old PM66 or unisaw to anything new, even at a comparable price.

running a ~20 year old PM66 myself.

[Carl McGaug]

(GLOAT)

comparable to $550????


:D

[Bob Genovesi]

Carl,

You let me know the address and I'll pick it up for ya! I'll even bring along some cash just in case you forget yours!! :D :D :D

[Peter Quinn]

Nice saw! Hope my 66 gets to be that old. Do they turn green with age, or did they come that way? :D That's a color green I like to see in the shop. I hear you on switching to 220V to keep the breaker and cable reasonable but I'd hesitate to change motors till you have a compelling reason to do so. I have an old DeWalt RAS who's motor plate lists: 2HP, 16.5A@220V! Not exactly two HP by todays standards. Gets the job done! I think my 66 is 5HP, not sure I have ever come close to using the last three HP anyway.

Enjoy that saw.

[Grant Vanbokklen]

I didn't buy the world's only worthless Powermatic, did I?

You just bought one of the best tablesaws ever made. Seriously.

[Carl McGaug]

Hope my 66 gets to be that old. Do they turn green with age, or did they come that way?

I was hoping you weren't asking for relationship advice.:confused::p


I appreciate the responses. When I took the side cover off, I new I made a wise purchase.I've only had a sears direct drive till now.What a difference.

[Charles Shenk]

You got one of the cleanest old Powermatics in the world! Yes you did good! I have the metallic green PM 66 from 72' and it's a lifetime machine. Congrats. A picture of the nun would be very cool.

Chuck

[Carl McGaug]

https://ssl4.lon.gb.securedata.net/toygrotto.net/merchantmanager/images/uploads/nun%20costume%20la%2083127_1.JPG

[Carl McGaug]

The tag on the motor didn't match the way it was wired (it was wired to go in the opposite direction according to the motor tag.The capacitor was in the reversed direction. But I didn't know this). I have a friend who is an industrial electrician and he slicked me up.
Here's the interesting part. It was wired for 110, drawing 23 amps, with 14 gauge wire.The wire is in nice shape and pliable with no signs of abuse.I don't get it.14 ain't close to handling 23 amps.I hope (HE) keeps looking after the owner of this saw.

Is there a arbor lock that I'm missing?I had to stick a screwdriver into the blade teeth to remove it.

[Chris Rosenberger]

No way to lock the arbor is the weekest point on a PM66. A peice of wood works better than a screwdriver. Less chance of damaging the blade.

[Carl McGaug]

I finally had the opportunity to get it set up and make a few cuts with it.What a difference from the old sears.Everything about it screams quality.Thanks to all for your help.

[John Thompson]

Enjoy...

Sarge..