Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've owned this band saw for a year. Before purchasing, I researched others, including Delta, Grizzly, Ridgid, and General. I've written this review to answer the kind of questions I had when I was still shopping for a band saw!
Assembly is simple. The manual contains photos of each step, with hardware and parts clearly visible. Aligning the upper and lower wheels is no problem -- they were aligned perfectly out of the box. Installing the rip fence is also easy -- all the mounting hardware are designed for this machine.
In your daily band saw setup routine, there are five main steps: (1) Install blade; (2) Tension blade; (3) "track" blade; (4) adjust blade guard; (5) adjust guides. These are typical steps in setting up any band saw, but the Jet is easier than other 14" saws.
Installing and/or removing blades on the Jet 14" is easy. The upper and lower guides loosen up, and the blade slips out through the table without a problem. When installing a new blade, it's easy to guide it into the blade guard, mount it on the two wheels, and center it. Hint: when installing a blade, make sure the teeth are pointing DOWNward. Every new band saw owner installs a band saw blade upside down once.
With your blade centered on the wheels, use the tension knob to tighten the blade to the correct level. Jet designed the tension knob so it is above the wheel cover. This sounds like a small detail, but other brands position the tension knob so you bang your knuckles against the metal as you turn it -- very annoying. There's a tension indicator showing blade width. According to the manufacturer, you can use blades from 1/8" to 3/4", but 1/2" is the widest I've used.
With the blade tensioned, adjust the "tracking" (removes any blade wobble). Jet has designed a great system for adjusting tracking. First, loosen a wing nut. Then, spin one of the wheels with your hand. As you spin the wheel, turn the tracking knob one way or another until you see that the blade stays in the center of the wheel. Then tighten the wing nut again, and you're done. This saw holds its tracking setting, even after hours of use.
The next step is to adjust the blade guard. Jet's blade guard is a step ahead of the other brands. Loosen a knob, then set the blade guard for the proper height (I set mine about 1/8" above the wood). What sets the Jet apart is that, even with the blade guard knob loosened, the blade guard stays in place if you let go of it. With the Delta, when you loosen the blade guard, it crashes down onto the table. The engineers at Jet were smart to design their blade guard differently -- it saves crushed fingers and dented wood!
Next, adjust the saw guides. Again, the Jet 14" is easier than others. The upper and lower guides are both very accessible. For both the upper and lower guides, there are side supports and a rear roller. To adjust the rear roller, loosen a wing nut, then turn a thumb screw until the guide is set, then re-tighten the wing nut. For the side supports, first position it properly frontwards and backwards, then push the block against the blade. For frontward/backward adjustment, there is a wing nut/thumb screw system; to set the blocks against the blade, loosen a couple of screws, slide the blocks, and re-tighten the screws. All of this is engineered well on the Jet, making the adjustments go quickly.
The rip fence that comes with this saw is solid and locks down securely. The design of the fence is almost like Jet's table saw fences. The fence comes with two steel rails, which bolt onto the table, one in front and one in back. The front rail has a built-in measure, and a pointer on the fence allows you to read precise inch marks. This fence is very accurate, and holds its settings, even after running several pieces through the saw. The fence comes with a re-saw feature, a "peg-style" attachment.
Ripping straight lines on this saw is a pleasant task. You read all the time about "blade drift," but if you take the time to set up this saw as described above, there's no blade drift. For cutting curves, I use a 1/8" blade and find it easy to follow my guidelines. The saw feels smooth and safe. The table on this saw is a couple of inches larger than other models -- a plus when working with bigger pieces of wood.
This saw has adequate power for everything I've cut. On 1X material, the saw cuts without bogging down, even when pushing the wood quickly. Even using inexpensive blades, the saw cuts smoothly. With Timberwolf blades, I've noticed smoother cuts.
The best test of band saw power is re-sawing. I've used the Jet 14" to re-saw up to 5" wide, using 1/2" blades. Push the wood slowly when re-sawing hardwoods such as oak. Don't try to rush this saw when re-sawing wide boards because it will bog down a bit. If I feed the wood at an even, slow pace, it's not a problem. I've used this saw to slice off 1/16" veneer, and it's performed well. Again, the blade you use makes a difference. With the right blade, very little sanding is needed.
Dust collection is, at best, decent. None of the 14" band saws I tested had adequate dust collection. The good thing is, a band saw does not produce much dust.
This saw has been a terrific addition to my woodshop. In almost every wood project I do, I have come to rely on this band saw to play a major role.
Click Here to see more reviews about:
JET 708115K JWBS-14CS 14-Inch 1 Horsepower Woodworking Bandsaw with Graphite Guide Blocks, 115/230-Volt 1 PhaseWith its simple, straightforward design and powerful features, the JET 708115K JWBS-14CS 14-Inch 1 HP Woodworking Bandsaw with Graphite Guide Blocks is ideal for home shop use by serious hobbyists or craftspeople. This handy tool includes a fully enclosed stand and dust chute, requires minimal set-up time out of the box, and provides years of solid, heavy-duty use.
Large Tilting Table and High Resaw Capacity for FlexibilityThe JWBS-14CS gives you plenty of space and the necessary capacity to take on a range of projects. It offers a six-inch depth resaw capacity for cutting larger pieces of wood, 6 x 13-1/2-inch cutting capacity, and a generously sized, 15 x 15-inch offset cast-iron table for more work area in front of the blade. The table also tilts 45 degrees to the right and 10 degrees to the left to accommodate a range of materials and jobs.
Cast-Iron Frame and Balanced Wheels for Vibration-Free OperationBoasting cast-iron frame construction for strength and rigidity, as well as reduced vibration, the JWBS-14CS provides smooth operation for optimum control and consistent results. Precision computer balanced wheels also spin without vibration, ensuring accurate blade tracking.
Heat- and Friction-Reducing Blades for Longer Tool LifeDesigned to stand up to years of heavy use, the JWBS-14CS features a micro-adjustable lower blade guide to reduce friction for longer blade life, as well as graphite-impregnated polymer blade guides with roller bearing thrust guides for both quicker set-up and a cooler running blade. By reducing heat, these guides help prevent damage and wear and tear that can compromise the resiliency of the machine.
Durable Metal Housing and Quick-Connect Plug for Durability and Ease-of-UseThe JWBS-14CS boasts heavy-gauge metal housing and a powder coating (rather than paint), which helps the saw hold up to frequent use without chipping or flaking. Another helpful feature is the quick-connect electrical plug, so you don't have to follow long cords to their outlets before each blade change.
Powerful 1 HP Motor for Fast ResultsThe JWBS-14CS owes its robust performance to a 1 HP engine that moves the blade at a speedy 3,000 strokes per minute for fast, efficient results. And thanks to the included 3/8-inch, 6.0 TPI woodworking blade, you can start cutting right out of the box.
Safe, User-Friendly DesignDesigned to be as user-friendly as it is powerful, this bandsaw comes complete with a four-inch dust port that allows for direct connection of a dust collection system, which is key to keeping your workspace clear so your visibility isn't impaired by debris. Additionally, a single knob tracking adjustment simplifies the blade tracking process for safe operation.
The JWBS-14CS measures 26 x 68 x 19 inches (WxHxL), weighs 185 pounds, and is backed by a five-year warranty.
About JET: A History of Sharing New, Feature-Rich ProductsOpened in 1958 after the founder of the company, Leslie P. Sussman, took the first Boeing Jet Airplane trip from Seattle, Washington to Japan, JET began as a small dealer that sold air hoists and trolleys out of a single hardware store in Seattle. Over the years, JET has carried everything from snowmobiles, transmitter radios, and forklifts to nylon stockings, but by the early 1970s, metalworking had become the base of their business line. And by the 1980s, JET had expanded into the realm of woodworking. Today, you'll find that JET offers a wide range of popular woodworking tools that are backed with best-in-class features and excellent service.
What's in the BoxStand top with motor support plate, four stand legs, two cross braces (short), two cross braces (long), one stand support plate, one saw body, one table, one motor, one V-belt, one pulley cover, two table lock knobs, one table pin, one trunnion support bracket, one fastener package, manual, and warranty card.
Get 44% OFF
Click here for more information about JET 708115K JWBS-14CS 14-Inch 1 Horsepower Woodworking Bandsaw with Graphite Guide Blocks, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase
