Customer Reviews

JET 708433 JDS-12B 1-Horsepower 12-Inch Benchtop Disc Sander with Circle Jig and Miter Gauge, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is what a disc sander ought to be (Of course at twice the cost of the comeptition it BETTER be) I looked
at Harbor Freight, Grizzly, Delta, and Shop Fox before finally
deciding on this one. It costs a bundle, but is smoooooooth,
well constructed (weighs over 100lbs) and built to tight
enough tolerances that you actually are cutting what you intend
to cut. It is a pleasure to use. This machine is for the
semi pro to professional shop user. If you want a sander that
just grinds wood or metal, then go buy the Harbor Freight, or Grizzly, they cost over a hundred bucks less. However if you want a machine that just sits there and hummmmmms, and quickly sands exactly where you apply the material then get the Jet.. It will outlast 3 of the "generic" Chinese sanders (Jet is also made in China, but in one of the most modern, well equiped factories in all of Asia)
My only quibbles are minor. One of the sanding plate adjustment
knobs was broken when I got it, it will be replaced.
Also the sanding disc that comes with the unit WILL ABSOLUTLY
NOT stick to the sanding plate. I tried using a heat gun, I
tried pushing, I tried saying very very bad words, nothing.
Fortunatly I had some good old Harbor Freight sanding discs
on hand....That is it in a nutshell. If you want the best
buy the Jet, if you dont want to spend the bucks, and will settle for a lesser machine then Harbor Freight, Grizzly, Delta,
and Shop Fox are out there waiting for you...

I had originally planned to buy the Delta 12" Disc sander until I read in their catalog that that it could not be used to sand metal. Since I will be using it for both metal and wood, I began looking around for another option. To my delight, I found the new 12" Jet. Jet's sander is far superior. Not only does it have twice as much horsepower, but the motor is TEFC. This allows me grind metal when needed without voiding my warranty or damaging the machine.

The Jet weighs in at a beefy 100 lbs and has a very large cast iron table. It also has a 4" dust port with an impeller which really pushes the dust out of the it's port and an oversized on/off paddle switch w/key.

Most importantly, it runs VERY smooth and the 1 hp motor stands up under heavy infeed pressure. Fit and finish is outstanding as is the documentation.

As far as cons are concerned, I'll echo the previous reviewer regarding the filler strip. I'll likely shim the filler later although it doesn't seem to pose any immediate issues. This being said, I wouldn't let these small issues get in the way of purchasing this sander.

All in all, I think this is the best sander in it's class and would recommend it highly.

I had originally planned to buy the Delta 12" Disc sander until I read in their catalog that that it could not be used to sand metal. Since I will be using it for both metal and wood, I began looking around for another option. To my delight, I found the new 12" Jet. Jet's sander is far superior. Not only does it have twice as much horsepower, but the motor is TEFC. This allows me grind metal when needed without voiding my warranty or damaging the machine.

The Jet weighs in at a beefy 100 lbs and has a very large cast iron table. It also has a 4" dust port with an impeller which really pushes the dust out of the it's port and an oversized on/off paddle switch w/key.

Most importantly, it runs VERY smooth and the 1 hp motor stands up under heavy infeed pressure. Fit and finish is outstanding as is the documentation.

As far as cons are concerned, I'll echo the previous reviewer regarding the filler strip. I'll likely shim the filler later although it doesn't seem to pose any immediate issues. This being said, I wouldn't let these small issues get in the way of purchasing this sander.

All in all, I think this is the best sander in it's class and would recommend it highly.

I bought this to do final sanding on segements for woodturning projects. As such it has to be flat, repeatable, and accurate. It's head and shoulders above the Grizzly I replaced. Pad changes only take a few minutes. I used to dread doing this and as such kept the pad on way to long.
The dust collection works great. It has a 4" outlet so I can hook it up to my 2HP collector and almost no dust comes into the air. The design of the backing to the disk for this actually does what they say.
The table is very heavy and when locked down stays there. I built my own custom sliding sled with different angles for different segments and the sander repeats very well. I've removed the table, put on new pads, then reinstalled the table using the stop with no problems having to fiddle with realignment.
The other handy feature is that you can sand right up to the middle of the disk, again unlike the Grizzly.
Two of my woodturning buddies have also bought this after seeing mine in action.

This sander works quite well. Nice, heavy construction. Has plenty of power. After reading reviews of the 12" Delta sander, I was concerned about getting one with too much disc run-out. I needn't have worried as it runs very true. The dust collection works extremely well.

Cons: The brake lever is plastic and seems somewhat cheesy, not up to the rest of the machine. The filler strip, that fills the slot in the table for the circle sanding jig, sits below flush with the surface of the table. I find this annoying. I plan to shim it up sometime.

Overall I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

I have really enjoyed having this sander up until the last few days. It began making a very loud noise (so loud you must wear ear protection just to be in the same room). It appears to me that a bearing at the disc end of the drive is going out, and after less than six hours total use. I've had this machine just over two years, most of which its just been sitting in my heated/air conditioned shop. The noise abates only very occasionally when a work-piece is being pressed up against it. I checked my warranty and as you'd guess it's lapsed. I really don't get why Jet has different length warranties on these big tools of theirs, this was a year, some are 3 or 5 years. Anyway, this should not be happening on a little-used tool two years into its life. Otherwise, no complaints, losts of power, you could sand a six foot 2X4 to saw dust in less than five minutes with this beast. The disc itself is flat and true, no wobble at all. I purchased this sander through Amazon, but it was shipped from Jet. If I knew then what I know now I'd buy someone else's machine. This thing weighs over 100 pounds and it's all I can do to lift it, I don't look forward to getting and moving another (UPS won't be looking forward to it either). This item should be shipped only by a carrier prepared to handle really heavy machines, but Jet used UPS. And it's packed in a box that's little bigger than the unit itself, with much less than sufficient packing material for a heavy unit being shipped through UPS. If you don't mind noise (100+ dB's), and the likelihood that this sander will lock up when the bearing finally goes out, then go ahead and buy it. Hope this helps.

The JDS-12B is well built, quiet and smooth. Be prepared to have some help unpacking this tool as it's very heavy and bulkey (104# shipping weight). $443 is way too much to pay for this sander and currently available for $349 plus $8 shipping.

I have had mine for less than two years and used it for making pens. The bearings are shot. It makes a tremendous noise at start up. I have to firmly tap on the brake to get it to stop. I bought the jet because of there reputation. All my other tools are Jet and love them.

I have the grizzly combo sander, the delta disc sander and this JET Disc sander. It is the only Jet Tool I own and it ROCKS. All that cast iron is worth the money. For me the Delta dust collection works better then the jet, but the jet seems to have a much bigger sweet spot for sanding flat and the disc is flatter then my Delta. It cost more, but it worth it.!

The first tool arrived in a box that looked like it had been to hell and back. The tool did not survive. It was promptly replaced.

I have been using it for a number of months. The plate is flat, properly aligned to the axis of rotation so there is no wobble. It is smooth and quiet. The table is solid and locks securely even under heavy load. The motor comes up to speed quickly and has more than enough power. The brake is adequate but I seldom use it. Dust is no problem with my 4" extractor.

I have only changed the disc once and found the Delta disc needs a little help to stay attached.

Overall I am quite happy with this sander.