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76 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better saw, better company service. Better get it., December 25, 2002
(This is a rewritten review from 11/26/02 as the previous didn't include my Amazon nickname/hyperlink to my other reviews.) I've had my JWTS-10JF (Gold Series) nearly a year now and still marvel at the saw's capabilities and quality. Rock solid design, accurate and true out-of-the-box with smoothness that I highly doubt can be surpassed by another contractor saw in it's class. So here comes another long-winded review, but hey I really appreciate the reviews from others here on Amazon when I do research so I hope you too enjoy this information.This saw's price has gone up in the last year. I bought mine at a local Rockler store with a significant store coupon discount (sorry can't state amount-Amazon's policy) but it is still a good chunk of change less then the primary competitor's contractor saw from the number one table saw company (brand "D" with the triangle logo, model# 36-650) with impeccable customer service. I must admit the other brand D was the first saw I looked at as I have a miter saw and combination sander from them but soon realized they may be #1 in sales but this doesn't always indicate the number one in quality/value. This Jet model draws 18 amps and amperage is generally where you get the power capability. This was confirmed when I called Jet's customer service (to replace a misplaced company logo on the front of the saw, more on that later). The JWTS-10JF actually produces closer to 1-3/4 hp when run single phase but Jet understates its power, acknowledged the company rep. The Jet does have two amps less power than brand D but when comparing 18 vs 20 it's not much of a difference. What is a significant difference is the weight. The actual weight of this saw, if I remember correctly is 276 lbs with a heavier duty stand and obviously more weight elsewhere. Brand D's rival, the more expensive 36-650 weighs 234# (source: 2001 Workshop Machinery catalog, p. 10, they put out) which equals 40+ lbs of extra steel in the Jet. The result of extra weight of course is a more stable and smoother running saw. On initial startup the saw did vibrate a little more than I liked due to its rubber v-belt that had settled in it's box into an oblong shape. I replaced it with a Powertwist belt and voila, nickel test was easily passed! My saw is the Gold Series version. The difference to be honest I think is just cosmetic. They changed the logo and mine was upside down! Yes it really was inverted as the metal plate holding it only fits onto the saw's stand one way. I was perplexed. Such a fine saw with this glaring eyesore. Jet gladly sent me another free, no questions asked, during a nearly 20 minute conversion with one of their very friendly and helpful service reps. They also gave me tips for using dado blades, what sizes and brands worked best and various other woodworking tips. It was a shame to say goodbye. I have ripped and crosscut 1/8" to 3/4" plywood, plastic plexiglass sheet and softwoods from pine to dense exotic hardwoods as 3/4" purpleheart. No hesitation and the fence and depth/angle adjustments were dead on accurate from the very beginning. The fence is accurate but has a little "off-hand" feel. The cam handle doesn't feel as if it locks solidly but it does and mine has never failed. It just feels like it will slip. I will probably replace it with a custom Biesemeyer or Jet Xacta fence anyway so I'm not much bothered. All the time the saw ran smooth due to it's hefty weight of a tad under 300 lbs. Keep in mind this is no light weight saw and if you plan to move it you'd better get a mobile base or a big burly friend. Weight, which is generally a positive quality, is a drawback if you plan to assemble it yourself. I couldn't get it out of my car and had to remove it piece by piece (but then if I had remembered it took three of us to get it into my car I probably would have realized this before I pulled my back out). As far as steel vs. cast iron wings go, I'm glad I chose steel but this is because I get tired of constantly waxing cast iron to avoid rust. This is only personal preference. The assembly time was between 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace. The motor assembly was the most difficult part to accomplish but resting it on a short stepstool helped as a perfect set of second hands. The Pros:
**Quality/Price ratio
**No nonsense out-of-the-box accuracy
**Smooooth operation (Nickel test-no problem)
**Good selection of after market parts
**Customer service (Five stars so far) The Cons:
**"Off-hand" feel of cam lock on fence
**Dust collection fair, but remember it's a contractor saw
**Upside down company logo!?? (Insert head scratch here) Summary: Number one isn't always best. Get the better saw from the second name in woodworking machinery. Jet.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better saw, better company service. Better get it., November 26, 2002
I've had my JWTS-10JF (Gold Series) nearly a year now and still marvel at the saw's capabilities and quality. Rock solid design, accurate and true out-of-the-box with smoothness that I highly doubt can be surpassed by another contractor saw in it's class. So here comes another long-winded review, but hey I really appreciate the reviews from others here on Amazon when I do research so I hope you too enjoy this information.This saw's price has gone up in the last year. I bought mine at a local Rockler store with a significant store coupon discount (sorry can't state amount-Amazon's policy) but it is still a good chunk of change less then the primary competitor's contractor saw from the number one table saw company (brand "D" with the triangle logo, model# 36-650) with impeccable customer service. I must admit the other brand D was the first saw I looked at as I have a miter saw and combination sander from them but soon realized they may be #1 in sales but this doesn't always indicate the number one in quality/value.
This Jet model draws 18 amps and amperage is generally where you get the power capability. This was confirmed when I called Jet's customer service (to replace a misplaced company logo on the front of the saw, more on that later). The JWTS-10JF actually produces closer to 1-3/4 hp when run single phase but Jet understates its power, acknowledged the company rep. The Jet does have two amps less power than brand D but when comparing 18 vs 20 it's not much of a difference. What is a significant difference is the weight. The actual weight of this saw, if I remember correctly is 276 lbs with a heavier duty stand and obviously more weight elsewhere. Brand D's rival, the more expensive 36-650 weighs 234# (source: 2001 Workshop Machinery catalog, p. 10, they put out) which equals 40+ lbs of extra steel in the Jet. The result of extra weight of course is a more stable and smoother running saw. On initial startup the saw did vibrate a little more than I liked due to its rubber v-belt that had settled in it's box into an oblong shape. I replaced it with a Powertwist belt and voila, nickel test was easily passed! My saw is the Gold Series version. The difference to be honest I think is just cosmetic. They changed the logo and mine was upside down! Yes it really was inverted as the metal plate holding it only fits onto the saw's stand one way. I was perplexed. Such a fine saw with this glaring eyesore. Jet gladly sent me another free, no questions asked, during a nearly 20 minute conversion with one of their very friendly and helpful service reps. They also gave me tips for using dado blades, what sizes and brands worked best and various other woodworking tips. It was a shame to say goodbye. I have ripped and crosscut 1/8" to 3/4" plywood, plastic plexiglass sheet and softwoods from pine to dense exotic hardwoods as 3/4" purpleheart. No hesitation and the fence and depth/angle adjustments were dead on accurate from the very beginning. The fence is accurate but has a little "off-hand" feel. The cam handle doesn't feel as if it locks solidly but it does and mine has never failed. It just feels like it will slip. I will probably replace it with a custom Biesemeyer or Jet Xacta fence anyway so I'm not much bothered. All the time the saw ran smooth due to it's hefty weight of a tad under 300 lbs. Keep in mind this is no light weight saw and if you plan to move it you'd better get a mobile base or a big burly friend. Weight, which is generally a positive quality, is a drawback if you plan to assemble it yourself. I couldn't get it out of my car and had to remove it piece by piece (but then if I had remembered it took three of us to get it into my car I probably would have realized this before I pulled my back out). As far as steel vs. cast iron wings go, I'm glad I chose steel but this is because I get tired of constantly waxing cast iron to avoid rust. This is only personal preference. The assembly time was between 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace. The motor assembly was the most difficult part to accomplish but resting it on a short stepstool helped as a perfect set of second hands. The Pros:
**Quality/Price ratio
**No nonsense out-of-the-box accuracy
**Smooooth operation (Nickel test-no problem)
**Good selection of after market parts
**Customer service (Five stars so far) The Cons:
**"Off-hand" feel of cam lock on fence
**Dust collection fair, but remember it's a contractor saw
**Upside down company logo!?? (Insert head scratch here) Summary: Number one isn't always best. Get the better saw from the second name in woodworking machinery. Jet.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Upgrade To The JWTS-10CW2-JF, January 15, 2005
First of all, I must tell you that I am very glad to finally have a table saw. I have been shopping for over two years and was not really sure I wanted the Jet until the Christmas tool sale at Lowe's. Had it not been for that I can't say that I would have committed to this saw had it still been at full price.
Actually, the Jet was my first pick but I had since developed some doubts about them. The bargain price lured me in (much better than here,) but if you're like me you want to know what I like and dislike about it.
First the bad, in order of personal annoyance:
1. The steel extension tables. My first and biggest recommendation is to upgrade to the "CW2" version. These are hard to get right and you will have to expect to "bend" them in order to do it. Spend $100 more, get the next model up with the cast extensions and save the time for some other projects. Doing it later, as I did, WILL COST YOU. I hate the steel extensions and was concerned about them even as I was forking over the money.
2. The fence and miter gauge. They are both just OK, but to get real accuracy you will need to spend at least another $400-$500 to replace both... the cheapest (...) Or for a total of $950-1000.00+/- (saw included) for good controllable, stable set ups. (edit: I am an old cuss and not wanting this fence to get the better of me, I have come to terms with it after much playing around... I'd still replace the miter gauge, but it is usable as long as you check it carefully after EVERY adjustment. Don't rely on the scale or the "flip-stop" to do it for you. It won't!) I think a tool made in China (cheap labor and material. Remember all those American jobs lost to China?) and distributed by an American company could do better... even in a base model saw. The Xacta fence should be standard, trash the "JetFence."
3. The dust collection "hood" stinks! I will replace this too. (Edit: I made my own. See my review of the Jet hood #JW1005 and I'll tell you how.)
4. The safety splitter and anti-kickback paws are nearly useless. They are difficult to install and uninstall when necessary, real knuckle busters. OK, we all know that most people who actually USE their table saws remove these items most of the time, but I would use them more often if it weren't for the time and effort it takes to uninstall them when I need a dado blade, or am running 4" tall material through the blade. You can replace these with aftermarket quick release/quick setup items for around $430.00. What a bargain. }:-( That's nearly as much as the saw originally cost.
5. The drive belt: Before I made any important cuts with this tool I immediately replaced the drive belt with a PowerTwist Plus A20-60. My cheap Jet now runs smoother than my neighbors' more expensive Delta. (Please see my review of this product for complete details.) It's WELL worth the $30.00 investment.
6. Mostly the manual was enough for setup. As others here have said, I set mine up in about four hours except a few areas where I found it lacking: It was a little vague in the area of converting the saw/motor to 230 volt operation, like what current (amps) it would draw at 230? Should I install a 20 amp plug, receptacle and breaker, or a 30 amp? (Answer: Install the 20 amp if you convert); Also a few more suggestions about lining up and leveling the side extensions would've been nice, like how to bend them more accurately; and finally, not all of the various hardware bags were clearly marked and I found myself guessing... correctly as it turns out, at what hardware the manual was referring to.
Note: For those who have read other customer reviews here, mine did come with it's own blade. It's a 40T, carbide tipped, and it ain't bad either! It does leave a little to be desired in the cross-cutting department. I do get some tear-out with it, but it's OK. I will replace it with a better one eventually, but it is quite good for a "get acquainted" type blade. (I did! See Freud TK406, 60T. For $35.00 you can't beat it with a Forrest.)
The good:
1. The motor is strong and starts, and pulls evenly to full speed... and can be converted to 230v operation.
2. The arbor assembly is strong and smooth (gear, not belt) operating.
3. The blade (see above comments.)
4. For the most part the saw was easy to setup.
Suggestion: No matter how much room you have or don't have, get a mobile base. Jets' own works well and is easy to set up but is a little clumsy in actual use. The Jet base has four individual wheels (back)/casters (front) to lock and unlock which is not so convenient when you have 30" fence rails to get around, and it doesn't allow for easy side-to-side movement either but it is reasonably priced to buy. (edit: less so after a $10.00 increase) My neighbor set up a Ridged Herc-C-Lift on his Delta recently. Four casters that come up all the way when not in use and a one foot pedal operation. I am not a fan of the "Big Orange" but I should have done this.
My recommendation: If you are set on getting the Jet, get the model with the cast iron wings (suffix:"CW2" Usually about $100 more, and it will cost you a LOT more ($250.00+ freight) later to do it) and if the funds allow, the Xacta fence though the new Micro-Adjust fence from Jet is an improvement.
If you are cutting a lot of sheet material plan on building or buying a side table extension and an outfeed table. They're easy to build yourself and make a nice first project. (See Rockler for hardware kits.)
I hope this helps you decide and Good Luck with your own dreams!
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