Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 27, 2003 09:00pm | #1

   Tons of discussion on this over the months and years.  Take a look here:

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=4154.1

   I suspect most of us would opt for left-tilt if it's an option and we can afford it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   vacabby | Jan 27, 2003 10:21pm | #2

   Every response seems to produce a different answer.  I much prefer the left tilt because the work piece is not trapped between the fence and the blade when making an angled cut.    There have been many discussions about this feature on Knots.    I just feel that the left tilt is somewhat safer.    There are many I am sure that would dissagree.

   jb

1. 
   tcbaldmtn | Jan 27, 2003 10:42pm | #3

   If you can take a look at the General 650. It's a left tilt and it's what the PM 66 used to be.

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Jan 29, 2003 04:25am | #6

    "...it's what the PM 66 used to be."

   Whoa Firewood!  Do you mean that Powermatic used to be 100 lbs lighter, was not made in the USA, and did not have a Baldor motor?  You can't be serious.

   Jeff

2. 
   TomFerreira | Jan 29, 2003 04:44am | #7

   I have a PM66 and I gotta tell you it is far and away a better saw than the Delta. I've Looked at them both and I've used them both. I can't say anthing about the General except that it is hard for me to imagine a better, heavier, more powerful, smoother running saw than the PM66, and I have the convienence of a local dealer.

   As to the Right Tilt/Left Tilt, aside from the obvious safety thing. I find myself using the fence on the left side of the blade more often and able to utilize the table board more for work support. Although my previous saw was contractors saw, I attribute this to the left tilt. although many may find it irrational, I like to have the waist piece under the blade. It gives me a felling at least of more visibility and control.

   TDF

1. 
   riverr1 | Feb 01, 2003 10:51pm | #13

   Tom,

   "it is hard for me to imagine a better, heavier, more powerful, smoother running saw than the PM66,"

   Imagine it! ;^)

   Don

1. 
   TomFerreira | Feb 02, 2003 03:21am | #14

   Yeah, I suppose thats all I can do!

   :-)

   TDF

3. 
   BG | Jan 27, 2003 11:33pm | #4

   Architect,

   I have a right tilt and there is one problem with it.  The motor cover is on the right side of the cabinet saw, thereby blocking my ability to use the space under the table to the right side for a storage cabinet, etc.  Being left handed, I move the fense to the left of the blade for beveled cuts.  The right tilt does work well with the tenon jig however, if I'm cutting an angle on a piece of stock.(small raised panels).

   To be honest, left or right, it's not the safest setup either way IMHO.

4. 
   john45411 | Jan 29, 2003 02:44am | #5

   i have a 66 on the way... its an absolute beauty, regardless ... check out;  http://www.toolseeker.com.   website has paid off big time...

1. 
   DanRadman | Jan 29, 2003 06:24am | #8

   Thank you for the reply.  The toolseeker.com link was great.  I really appreciate your advice on the PM66.  I was wavering for a while between the Unisaw and PM66, but now feel certain that I am making the right decision and the right investment.  PM66 is the way to go.

   Thanks again.

    

1. 
   goldfinger | Jan 29, 2003 06:49am | #9

   Amen .    goldfinger

2. 
   tbhs1964 | Jan 31, 2003 06:00am | #10

   WHY?

5. 
   DJK | Jan 31, 2003 05:20pm | #11

   I'm running 3 right tilt Unisaws and a PM66 and prefer right tilt. Left tilt is OK if you always work to the right of the blade including bevel miter gauge cuts. When working to the left of the blade on a left tilt, any bevel cuts are done with the lumber upside down passing under the blade. If a sliding table is used for sheet stock and mounted on the left side of the saw, bevel cuts may leave tearout on the outside edge. In the Powermatic ads they show a 66 with an Excaliber sliding table mounted on the left. Bevel cut sheet stock or solid lumber with that setup and the stock is under the blade. PM advertises "wide stance trunnun". When the mountings are measured they are 6" wide by 22" deep. The Unisaw trunnun mounting is 18" wide by 20" deep. The PM 66 is heavier not better. I would not purchase a left tilt Unisaw.

   Dave Koury

6. 
   mrles | Jan 31, 2003 08:31pm | #12

   I can't imagine a bigger can of worms L-tilt, R-tilt, PM or Unisaw. I have a Unisaw R-tilt and love it but I guarantee you there is someone out there that has a PM L-tilt and can't live without it. Good luck get your reading glasses on you will receive a lot of opinions on this.

   God Bless

   les