In this Powermatic 8 Inch Jointer Review, we have profiled both the 3 knife, and helical knife cutterhead models, as well as the Parallelogram models.
The 60C and 60HH models suit woodworkers who want a high quality, 8 inch, long bed (70+ inches) that big and sturdy steel/cast iron jointers like these provide.
Given a choice between the two, the helical cutterhead jointer is probably the better of the two, as there is less difficulty with maintaining the cutterhead.
The Parrallelogram jointers have HUGE 80+ inch tables for the longest piece of wood, and are designed specifically to keep the tables parallel for a high quality of cut.
None of the jointers above would not suit woodworkers on a budget, or with limited machine space.
Let’s look into them in more detail …
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Powermatic 8 Inch Jointers
If you don’t have time to read the review and buyer’s guide, you can check out the jointers and prices here…
Straight Cutterhead – View the Powermatic 8 Inch 60C Jointer On Amazon
Helical Cutterhead – View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Jointer On Amazon
Parallelogram Design Straight Cutterhead – View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Jointer On Amazon
Parallelogram Design Helical Cutterhead – View the Powermatic PJ-882HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Helical Head Jointer On Amazon
Powermatic 8 Inch Jointer Review
Powermatic 60C 8 Inch Jointer
What’s Good About It?
- 3 knife cutterhead with knives that are 8 x 11/16 x 1/8 inches
- Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM for 21,000 cuts per minute – 3 inch wide cutterhead
- Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
- Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
- Table size is 73 inches long x 8-1/2 inches wide
- Table is 32 inches from the floor
- 35 1/4 inch long infeed table
- 35 1/2 inch long outfeed table
- Fence size is 38 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
- Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
- Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
- Has a rabbeting capacity of 1/2 inch
- CFM of 600 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
- Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
- Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
- Comes with magnetic base push blocks
What Could Be Improved?
- When you sharpen or adjust the cutterhead knives, you might have to re-level your table
- Can be tricky for beginners to put together
- Quite heavy and takes up a decent amount of space
- Make sure you have 230 volt capability in your work space – or get a dedicated power circuit installed
What Else Might You Get With It?
- JET 1610078 Mobile Base for Powermatic PJ882 Parallelogram Jointer (on Amazon) – Weighs OVER 500 lbs. Will definitely need a separate mobile base to move this jointer around after set-up.
- A separate wood planer machine if you need one
- Dust collection system like a shop vac
- A dust port reducer
Where To Check It Out?
View the Powermatic 8 Inch 60C Jointer On Amazon
Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Jointer (Helical Cutterhead)
What’s Good About It?
- 54 knife cutterhead with helical knives that are 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches
- Helical cuttherhead is designed to provide a smoother cut and operate more quietly
- Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM
- Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
- Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
- Table size is 73 inches long x 8-1/2 inches wide
- Table is 32 inches from the floor
- 35 1/4 inch long infeed table
- 35 1/2 inch long outfeed table
- Fence size is 38 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
- Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
- Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
- Has a rabbeting capacity of 1/2 inch
- CFM of 450 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
- Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
- Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
- Comes with magnetic base push blocks
What Could Be Improved?
- When you sharpen or adjust the cutterhead knives, you might have to re-level your table
- Can be tricky for beginners to put together
- Quite heavy and takes up a decent amount of space
- Make sure you have 230 volt capability in your work space – or get a dedicated power circuit installed
What Else Might You Get With It?
- JET 1610078 Mobile Base for Powermatic PJ882 Parallelogram Jointer (on Amazon) – Weighs OVER 500 lbs. Will definitely need a separate mobile base to move this jointer around after set-up.
- A separate wood planer machine if you need one
- Dust collection system like a shop vac
- A dust port reducer
Where To Check It Out?
View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Jointer On Amazon
Powermatic PJ882 8 Inch Parallelogram Jointer
What’s Good About It?
- Top quality jointer
- HUGE table for the longer pieces of wood
- Parrallelogram design keeps the table in close proximity to the cutterhead for improved finish and allows for a fast depth of cut adjustment. This design also insures the table remains perfectly parallel
- 3 knife cutterhead with standard knives that are 8 x 11/16 x 1/8 inches
- Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM – which is 21,000 cuts per minute
- Cutterhead diameter is 3-1/16 inches
- Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
- Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
- Table size is 82 inches long x 8 inches wide
- Table is 31-5/16 inches from the floor
- 44 inch long infeed table
- 38 inch long outfeed table
- 1/2 inch rabbeting max capacity
- Fence size is 38-3/16 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
- Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
- Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
- CFM of 600 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
- Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
- Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
- Comes with magnetic base push blocks
What Could Be Improved?
- Can be tricky for beginners to put together – might need help
- Quite heavy and takes up a decent amount of space in your workshop
- Make sure you have 230 volt capability in your work space – or get a dedicated power circuit installed
What Else Might You Get With It?
- JET 1610078 Mobile Base for Powermatic PJ882 Parallelogram Jointer (on Amazon) – Weighs OVER 700 lbs. Will definitely need a separate mobile base to move this jointer around after set-up.
- A separate wood planer machine if you need one
- Dust collection system like a shop vac
- A dust port reducer
Where To Check It Out?
View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Jointer On Amazon
Powermatic PJ-882HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Helical Head Jointer
What’s Good About It?
- Parallelogram design helps maintain table parallelism and eases table raising and lowering
- 54 knife helical cutterhead with helical knives that are 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches
- Helical cuttherhead is designed to provide a smoother cut and operate more quietly
- Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM
- Cutterhead diameter is 3-1/16 inches
- Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
- Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
- Table size is 82 inches long x 8 inches wide
- Table is 31-5/16 inches from the floor
- 44 inch long infeed table
- 38 inch long outfeed table
- Fence size is 38 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
- Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
- Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
- CFM of 450 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
- Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
- Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
- Enclosed steel stand
- Comes with PJ-882HH Jointer; one cutterhead guard; two push blocks; one four-millimeter hex wrench; one five-millimeter hex wrench; two star-point screwdrivers; 10 knife insert screws; five knife inserts; owner’s manual; and warranty card.
What Could Be Improved?
- Can be tricky for beginners to put together – might need help
- Quite heavy and takes up a decent amount of space in your workshop – over 700 pounds
- Make sure you have 230 volt capability in your work space – or get a dedicated power circuit installed
- Doesn’t cut rabbets
What Else Might You Get With It?
- JET 1610078 Mobile Base for Powermatic PJ882 Parallelogram Jointer (on Amazon)– Weighs OVER 500 lbs. Will definitely need a separate mobile base to move this jointer around after set-up.
- A separate wood planer machine if you need one
- Dust collection system like a shop vac
- A dust port reducer
Where To Check It Out?
View the Powermatic PJ-882HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Helical Head Jointer On Amazon
Powermatic 8 Inch Jointer: Buyer’s Guide
What Are The Powermatic 8 Inch Jointers?
They are 8 Inch, heavy, long table jointers – designed for quality wood jointing.
The parallelogram jointers have some of the longest tables on the market, for the longest pieces of wood.
Who Are The Powermatic 8 Inch Jointers For?
Woodworkers looking for jointers that can do 8 inch wide lumber
Woodworkers with enough space to use the jointers
Those looking for a jointer that provides a quality finish
Those looking for a 70+ inch table for longer lumber pieces, and 80+ inches with the parallelogram jointers
Those looking for a jointer that is designed specifically for the highest quality cut – parrallelogram jointers
Who Are The Powermatic 8 Inch Jointers Not For?
Those looking for a small and light benchtop jointer
Those looking for a budget type jointer
Those looking for a benchtop that doesnt require set up
Powermatic 8 Inch Jointers – Bits & Accessories
Mobile base
A separate wood planer machine if you need one
Dust collection system like a shop vac
A dust port reducer
Powermatic 8 Inch Jointer: Resources
1. http://www.powermatic.com/us/en/home/
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