Powermatic 54A, 54HH manual Tables

The helix head (right side of the image) uses full carbide inserts that greatly extend durability as well as the quality of the cut. Sound is also drastically reduced over nearly all other cutter configurations.

heavily figured wood.

The helical cutterhead is so effective because its carbide inserts are arranged in spiral-shaped rows. The inserts have a 4” radius ground into them and are mounted so they approach the wood at a 14-degree angle. That creates a true shear cut that eliminates much of the impact and the resulting fiber disturbance other cutterhead designs deliver to the wood.

The helical cutterhead cuts so efficiently that it dramatically reduces the noise made when cutting wood. In fact, it is so quiet, new POWERMATIC 54HH 6” Jointer users often think it is not cutting wood at all, until they see the results. The shearing effect of the helical cutterhead produces a remarkably smooth surface on even

The helical cutterhead inserts are precisely machined from solid high-grade carbide, each with four identical cutting edges. If an edge eventually goes dull, you simply index it to the next cutting edge! Each insert has a marking at one edge that makes indexing all or any number of them the same way very easy, though needing to do that is unlikely.

Because the inserts themselves and the seats into which they fit are so precisely machined, there is no adjustment or “fitting” necessary. Indexing or replacing an insert takes just seconds. Simply loosen its retaining screw, turn the insert to its new position and tighten the screw.

The durability of the carbide combined with the low impact, shear cutting action mean the inserts have an extremely long life, far exceeding that of straight blades. The potential life span of these carbide inserts means that many woodworkers may go years before having to index them. Should a hidden piece of metal be encountered and actually damage a few of the carbide inserts only the ones actually contacting the metal need to be indexed or replaced.

Tables

At 7 ¼”-wide and 66”-long the cast iron POWERMATIC 54A/54HH Jointer table is one of the longest available in this class and provides plenty of support for even large work pieces. The tables are precision-ground to insure flatness and each is mounted on dovetailed ways that keep them perfectly aligned through height changes. The ways are equipped with gib screw adjusters that allow the user to adjust out any wear-related play should that occur in years to come. The outfeed table is equipped with a ½” by ½” rabbeting channel along its outer edge.

The outfeed table height is adjusted with a handwheel mounted below the table. A finger-operated gib screw locks the table in position once it is set.

The infeed table height

adjustments are truly unique. The

handle can be moved up and down for coarse height changes or, after snugging the locking knob (to the left) the long handle can be rotated to make very fine, precise infeed table height adjustments.