"Charlie Self" wrote in message
Sears doesn't call it a cabinet saw. They say it has a "cabinet-style
stand".
For basic info, the current PM 66 uses two belts on 3 and 5 HP motors.
There is
no need, in almost any case, for more than a single belt on a 1-3/4 HP
motor.

Right, but I'll bet a lot of people will make assumptions that since it
looks like a $1500+ cabinet saw it must be as good as one.


Sears does state it's a Biese commercial fence in their catalog blurb.

Yes, but that does not make it the Bies commercial version. Look at how far
the fence extends beyond the table top. I don't think it is the real deal,
but they give no measurments. The "home shop" version is 36" long while the
commercial version is 42" or 48" as well as longer rails. I think they are
taking some liberties here as consdering any Bies fence to be a commercial
version since it is better than the usual lightweight stuff on most low end
contractor saws.



I'll get a chance to at least look at the saw in a couple weeks. I'm very
interested in how it looks and works, as the current 3 contractors' saws
in the
Craftsman line are major departures from what has gone before in both
apeparance and features.

When Chevy came out with the big block 348 ci in. engine, the hood
designation had two crossed flags above the "V" . I know a couple of guys
that put the emblems on a car with the straight six. Looked just like the
348 when you stood on the curb, but still ran like a 6 with Powerglide. I
think that is what we may have here. it may be a good basic contractor's
saw, but that is all it will be no matter how fancy the cabinet. Unless, of
course, you paint some flames on it.
Ed