Replies

1. 
   hotdogman | Nov 06, 2022 08:03am | #1

   I have a 3hp Jet 10" cabinet saw which I have been using for 15 years. It has been reliable, with plenty of power and remains accurate once set up correctly. It is a traditional cabinet saw design and does have a riving knife. I have absolutely have no complaints. Just take the time to set up the blade and fence alignment if you buy one.

2. 
   lmnebeniste | Nov 09, 2022 01:46am | #2

   I have been using my 3hp Jet TS since 1998. I continue to be astonished at its level of accuracy after all of these years (including a 9 week voyage during a move from Seattle to Western France). During a recent build, I had to take a 1/16” rip cut from a 30” piece. The thickness remained within +/-.004” along the entire length.
   IMO, a tool that needs no regular confirming and tweaking its' set up does not exist. The higher end tools perhaps need less but they all need regular attention. Older tools often look bad but actually are excellent after a little tlc. Thinking of my 90-110 yo hand planes. Good luck with your search.

3. 
   DRBWWing | Nov 09, 2022 10:45am | #3

   Good saw. Bought a 3Hp in '99, sold it last year to buy a SawStop. Replaced the arbor bearings year 19.

   Also had a 1.75HP Jet. Good saw, but couldn't touch the 3HP.

4. 
   wcjames | Nov 09, 2022 03:40pm | #4

   Let me echo the comments of the other responders. My Jet 3HP 10" table saw purchased in the early-to-mid-90s and used regularly in a four-person professional custom furniture/cabinet shop was a joy to use, with no problems and only routine maintenance (cleaning out the cabinet, waxing the tabletop, lubricating the gears, etc.) required. The X-Acta (spelling?) fence was accurate and plenty robust for anything that you'd cut on a 3HP saw. To my recollection, the blade NEVER came out of parallel alignment with the miter-gauge slot after the initial saw set-up. I sold the saw in 2004 for about what I paid for it (went into a new shop where there was already a left-tilt PM66)!

   I bought it because we needed a left-tilt saw in our shop (we already had a Delta right-tilt Unisaw); if you can only have one table saw in your shop, I strongly suggest that it's a left-tilt, which it sounds like you're already on the path to since you're looking for a Powermatic 66. For what it's worth, I've used both the Powermatic 66 and the Jet, and I found the Jet to be a more pleasurable saw to use -- it just felt smoother when turning handles, raising the blade, etc.

   Finally, we were able to purchase a Biesemeyer snap-in "disappearing" splitter to replace the original splitter/blade guard which, like nearly all of them, was removed and never used. While the Biesemeyer splitter was easy to use and quick (5 seconds -- it slides down below the tabletop) to remove for non-through cuts, it is no longer available. There are other aftermarket units available that seem good.