Powermatic 1285 12-Inch Parallelogram Jointer
Are you struggling to joint wide boards accurately while maintaining consistent surface quality across long stock?
What if your jointer delivered smooth cuts, stable support, and repeatable accuracy on every pass?
Meet the Powermatic 1285, a 12-inch parallelogram jointer built for precision jointing and long-term reliability.
With the 84-inch cast iron table, rack-and-pinion fence, and 3 HP motor, it provides stable performance across demanding shop applications.
When your jointer runs smoothly and stays aligned, your workflow improves and your finished surfaces require less rework.
Powermatic 1285 for Wide-Board Jointing and Consistent Results
Parallelogram Table System for Long-Term Accuracy
The parallelogram design keeps the tables aligned with the cutterhead while allowing fast, precise depth-of-cut adjustments. This ensures consistent performance and accuracy even after years of heavy shop use.
84-Inch Cast Iron Bed for Large Workpieces
The long precision-ground cast iron table provides stable support for wide and heavy boards, improving jointing accuracy across the full 12-inch capacity.
Rack-and-Pinion Fence for Controlled Adjustments
The center-mounted fence uses a rack-and-pinion system for smooth positioning and includes preset stops at 45° and 90° for repeatable setups.
Flexible Cutterhead and Surface Options
Choose a straight knife cutterhead for traditional jointing and rabbeting capability, or a helical cutterhead with carbide inserts for reduced tear-out and quieter operation. ArmorGlide models add a low-friction, rust-resistant surface for improved material handling and reduced maintenance.

What’s Included
What’s Included? Powermatic 1285
- Powermatic 1285 Jointer – 12-inch parallelogram jointer with 84-inch table
- Cutterhead – Straight Knife or Helical Cutterhead (based on selection)
- Fence System – Rack-and-pinion adjustable fence with preset stops
- User Manual – Setup and operation guide
Specs
Powermatic 1285 Specifications
Base Machine (All Configurations)
- Cutting Capacity Width: 11.75 in.
- Maximum Cutting Depth: 1/8 in.
- Maximum Rabbeting Depth: 1/2 in.
- Table Size: 12 in. x 84 in.
- Table Height: 31-5/8 in.
- Fence Size: 47-1/4 in. x 5-1/4 in.
- Cutterhead Speed: 5000 RPM
- Dust Port Diameter: 4 in.
- Motor Power: 3 HP
- Voltage Options: 230V Single Phase or 230/460V Three Phase
- Gross Weight: 880 lbs
- Net Weight: 762–812 lbs
- Warranty: 5 Year
- Prop 65: Cancer and Reproductive Harm
Choose Your Cutterhead
- 1285 (PM9-1791241) – Straight Knife cutterhead with 3 high-speed steel knives; supports rabbeting
- 1285HH (PM9-1791307 / PM9-1791308) – Helical cutterhead with carbide inserts; smoother, quieter cutting
Choose Your Table Surface
- Standard Cast Iron – Traditional surface for durability and rigidity
- ArmorGlide Models (1285T / 1285HHT) – Low-friction, rust-resistant coating for smoother stock movement and reduced maintenance
Choose Your Power Configuration
- 1-Phase (230V) – Ideal for most professional and advanced home shops
- 3-Phase (230/460V) – Designed for industrial environments and continuous-duty operation
Cutterhead Differences
- Straight Knife – Traditional cutting, supports rabbeting, simple maintenance
- Helical Cutterhead – Carbide inserts reduce tear-out, lower noise, and extend edge life