Powermatic 1791279DXK Jointer Review

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In Brief: Powermatic 1791279DXK Jointer Review

The Powermatic 1791279DXK is a medium-sized jointer that is designed for professional use. This jointer comes with a large working bed and a cutterhead that offers accurate flattening. If you need something that will leave less mess behind after each operation, you can count on this jointer. The dust collection box that comes with it does a decent job of minimizing dust buildup.

Powermatic is a heavy-weight in the manufacturing world. The brand has its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee, and its products are known to stand out in terms of appearance and its output.

Powermatic products range from power saws and generators to hand drills and Dovetail machines.

Key Specifications of the Powermatic 1791279DXK

Powermatic 6-Inch Jointer, 3 HSS Knives, 1 HP, 1Ph 115/230V (Model 54A)

The Powermatic 1791279DXK has a sturdy design. It is a combination of steel and cast iron, which is why it weighs a lot.

However, this plays to its advantage, since most woodworkers believe lightweight jointers wobble under pressure.

This jointer is powered by a motor. This choice obviously minimizes maintenance and presents an easy startup option.

You won’t have to pull on any rope or cord, you simply have to push a startup button, which instantly turns the jointer on.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a jointer that uses a knife cutterhead.

Even though most woodworkers believe helical cutterheads deliver the best results, the Powermatic 1791279DXK goes above and beyond to attach a lever to the cutterhead to provide better accuracy during woodworking operation.

Read the long list of Powermatic 1791279DXK specs here :

Specification
Model Number / Name1791279DXK
TypeOpen-top
Power (hp)1
Bed size (in)6''
Table size (LxB)66" x 7¼"
Knife adjustment (no)4
Cutting depth (in)1/8''
Dust collection (y/n)Yes
Weight (lbs)332
Warranty5-year
Other Features1. Corded electricity
2. Quick lever adjustment for the cutterhead
3. Dust chute

Unique Features

Source: Powermatic

There are some impressive features that this jointer possesses, some of which will allow you to complete more woodwork projects with less stress.

Dust Evacuator

The Powermatic 1791279DXK has a dust collection box attached to its base. With this, it’s easier to evacuate dust from the cutterhead all the way down the evacuation box.

This reduces mess around your working site and also improves visibility for better work output.

Large Table Size and Adjustment

This jointer has a large table. Its table size is estimated to be around 66 inches in length and 7¼ inches in width.

It’s no coincidence that this is the longest table size among models within its price range.

The tables are designed to flatten wood without much fuss. On average, it can flatten woods around 70 inches in length and ⅛ inches in depth.

It’s also easy to adjust the infeed and outfeed table depending on the width and height of lumber to be worked on.

For more information about the features, check out this video :

 

Power and Performance

The performance of a jointer is influenced by the size of its motor. The Powermatic 1791279DXK is powered by a 115-volt motor.

The motor delivers steady power during woodworking operations. Just like the tables, the fence is completely parallel.

It tilts up to 90 degrees away from and towards the table. This allows you to move the wood from a different angle, both vertical and horizontal.

For better accuracy and precision, most of the jointer’s control is center-mounted, and the push button is easy to reach even in the middle of tasks.

Ease of Use

Source: Powermatic

Most open-top jointers are easy to operate. This jointer is powered by a motor, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance.

This saves you from recurring expenses such as refilling a fuel tank or charging a battery. Also, you will find out that you simply have to push on a startup button rather than pulling a rope.

For added convenience, the knives are secured by sets of gib screws and plates. With this, the knives are securely held in place.

At the same time, they’re unlikely to chip or bend when they come in contact with hardwood.

 

Ease of Maintenance, Repairs, & Warranty

The Powermatic 1791279DXK is equipped with some advanced features that create a better workflow, but this is only possible if you follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures.

This won’t take a lot of time, and you do not need to employ a technician to do this for you.

All you have to do is to inspect its parts after every use and clean its blade to wipe off residue and wood chips.

Lastly, this jointer is covered by a 5-year warranty, and this gives you peace of mind knowing full well that any damaged parts will be replaced.

Price of the Powermatic 1791279DXK

This jointer performs basic tasks, such as jointing edges.

It isn’t as versatile as benchtop jointers, which can plane and create bevel cuts at the same time.

However, this machine does a good job at joining, and for its price tag, it is fair if you also consider the 5-year warranty that comes with it.

 

Pros and cons of the Powermatic 1791279DXK

From a glance, you can see that this machine isn’t the most solid piece. There are a few downsides we’ve noticed and we’ve mentioned them below.

Pros

  • Precision and accuracy during woodworking operation
  • High-quality steel knife for more depth
  • Minimal dust buildup
  • Cutting depth of 6 inches
  • One-push start button
  • 115-volt motor can be converted to 230-volts

Cons

  • Table heights aren’t adjustable
  • Requires a lot of storage space

 

Who Should Buy the Powermatic 1791279DXK ?

This jointer is designed for light woodwork projects.

For projects such as making joints for cabinets, bookcases, and dressers, the Powermatic 1791279DXK will do a perfect job.

On the other hand, if you need something for creating joints for flooring or furniture projects, this might not be the right option for you.

Our Recommendation

We recommend this item for woodworkers who need a reliable tool for jointing tasks.

This machine is a bit on the high-end, but rest assured that it can fit into small spaces in your workshop.

We were impressed with its evacuation system, as you won’t need to do a lot of cleaning at the end of every project.

The residue and debris are disposed of even when the machine is in operation.

 

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Karen Taylor

Karen is an expert woodworker. He has been working as a professional in the domain for more than 12 years now. She has experience of working on a variety of power and other tools while working on her projects.

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