The Powermatic 54a Deluxe 6 Inch Jointer is a Great High-end Jointer for Medium to Large Scale Woodworking
What We Like
- Heavy-duty 1 horsepower motor for big projects
- High-quality heavy steel knives
- Three-knife cutter-head for precise cuts
- Dust collection chute to keep the workplace clean
- The all-steel base for durability
- The extra-wide table gives you enough room
- Precision ground centered-mounted fence
What We Don’t Like
- Assembling or out of the box is hard
- Expensive
Bottom Line
The Powermatic 54A Deluxe 6-Inch Jointer with Quick-Set Knives review above shows that it is a strong and powerful tool that can be used for medium to large scale projects thanks to the powerful motor.
However, the 54A Deluxe Jointer costs over $1000 and that’s a lot of money for any homeowner to spend on a single power tool.
With the money you’ll spend on getting just the Powermatic Deluxe Jointer, you can buy up to three or four other power tools.
Apart from the expensive price, the jointer is difficult to assemble out of the box by one person. You will need to seek help from someone else when you want to assemble the device.
This is an inconvenience, especially for people who don’t have experienced woodworkers around.
Woodworking is always going to be a vital part of construction in this generation. Until such a time that trees become extinct and humans come up with suitable replacements, cutting tool manufacturers will remain innovative.
One of the most functional cutting tools out there is the Powermatic 54A Deluxe Jointer. This high-end jointer has a powerful 1 horsepower motor.
Like many other premium jointers, the motor can work with 115 volts or 230 volts depending on what you want and how much power you have in your workspace.
This expensive jointer also has sharp, high-quality blades, a dust collection port, and many other great features that we will analyze in our Powermatic 6-Inch Jointer with Quick-Set Knives review.
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Features of the Powermatic 54A Deluxe 6-Inch Jointer
Extra Wide Table Gives You Enough Room
The table size of a jointer is an important part that will contribute to the overall performance of the entire tool. The wider the table size, the better because it gives you more than enough room for maneuverability during your projects.
The 54A Deluxe Jointer comes with a 7¼ inches wide outfeed table that also happens to be 66 inches extra long. In its class of jointers, the Powermatic Deluxe has the longest table.
The size of the table allows the jointer to support large and heavy boards. The table is precision ground so they are flat and they ensure that the surface you’re working on is flattened properly.
The table is also adjustable. So, you can change the table height through a wheel below the table. The infeed and outfeed tables also contribute significantly to the functionality of the product.
Three Dual Edged Knife Cutter-Head for Precise Cuts
The cutter-head of the Powermatic 54A Deluxe Jointer is that part of the machine that holds the blades in place. There are three blades on the Powermatic Deluxe Jointer. All three have dual edges.
Both edges are super sharp so they can cut into the board you intend to flatten with ease. They cut in the opposite direction of the jointer. Unlike other jointers that have only two blades, the Powermatic 54A Jointer has three blades on the cutter-head instead of two.
So, it offers smoother, cleaner cuts than many others with just two blades. The cutter-head on the Powermatic Deluxe Jointer has adjustment cams that allow you to change the height to get more accurate depth of cuts.
Changing the blades on a jointer is something you’ll have to do eventually. However, it doesn’t need to be hard. The blades on the jointer are secured with a gib plate and four gib screws. So, changing it will be quick and easy.
Related Reading: DeWalt DW682K Plate Joiner
Precision Ground Centered Mounted Fence with Adjustable Positive Stops
The Powermatic 54A 6″ Jointer is sturdy and stable due to a combination of factors. For starters, the jointer is heavy at 332 pounds. So, nothing can shake it or remove it from a position when it’s in use.
Another factor that contributes to the stability and durability of the device is the precision ground-mounted fence. The device is made of heavy-duty steel and the fence is cast iron.
The fence is adjustable with positive stops at 45 degrees and 90 degrees. You can make the necessary adjustments using the center-mounted fence controls.
The heavy steel stand is literally unshakeable and the cabinet on the base of the jointer also supports its stability. Note that there is a push-button switch that you can lock when the device is not in use.
This protective feature will keep you and your loved ones safe. You’re not going to experience anything like accidental starting with the 54A 6 Inch Jointer.
Heavy Duty 1 Horsepower Motor and Great Dust Collection Chute
The Powermatic Deluxe Jointer has a one horsepower motor that is perfect for medium and even large scale projects. If you want, you can use the device for smaller projects. After all, it is completely adjustable.
The motor rests comfortably beneath the cabinet and the 115 volts can be converted to 230 volts. When you want to make belt-tension adjustment, you can do it easily from the base cabinet.
The motor will most likely be powerful enough for your household projects. Most commercial woodworkers go for more powerful motors. The motor has a non-slip V-belt for enhanced performance.
It powers the blades and the blades do the flattening. All the sawdust that is produced during the process is automatically sent to the dust port thanks to the great dust collection system.
The dust port is 4 inches wide but you can install a bigger one for more efficiency.
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Powermatic 54A Deluxe Jointer Review The Verdict
The Powermatic 54A 6-Inch Jointer with Quick-Set Knives review here shows that it has many great features but we still need to point out that it is too difficult to assemble by one person.
Most importantly, it is expensive compared to other jointers that cost far less. The retail price of the Powermatic 54A Deluxe ranges from $1,999 to $1,300. That’s a lot of money for a homeowner to spend on a single power tool. But the Powermatic 54A is backed by a five-year warranty.
