On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:47:41 GMT, "Joe" wrote:

If you had a choice, between a powermatic 66 and a pm2000, which would you
choose and why.

Sorry to toss in other stuff, but... Your two picks and the extra two
I'm about to mention all cut wood to identical accuracy.

I would (and did) choose a Canadian-built General 650 over an imported
PM66, if I were buying new. I closely fingered, and brutally stewed
for months over both saws before I made the decision. One of the
things I liked about the General is how the factory assembles and
shims the wings. Both saws are super beefy, but the 650 is still
built in Quebec to a very high standard. Even though I'm not
Canadian, I like those big Maple Leaf stickers on my saw. G

I don't think you hear much about General, because apparently they
only recently realized that a hobby market existed and therefore
didn't advertise much. G These folks are not the same General who
make cheap steel rulers and plastic dial calipers.

Buying used, in identical condition, I'd probably take an old PM66
over an old 650, but it might be a coin toss or depend on minute
details.

If features were my aim, I'd pick a Sawstop over a PM2000.

In fact, I might even choose the Sawstop over my 650 or PM66, if I
were buying today, now that I've touched several examples of the
Sawstop. Several local dealers carry the Sawstop, and it's a very
nicely made tool that cuts just as accurately as the saws mentioned
above, except flesh. G

There are also days that I consider selling my 650 and buying a
Sawstop. Oddly enough, if I were buying again, I might even go
right-tilt, as I do far more dadoing and rabbetting than wide bevel
ripping. Only once in the last five years have I bevel ripped
something wide enough that would not have fit on the left side of the
blade.

Good luck, I don't think any of them will be a wrong choice. It may
even come down to which one your favorite local guy carries.