Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If you utilize mortise and tenon joints and have been creating them with a router or a drill press with a mortising attachment, you will really enjoy this product. There are several positive attributes about this tool and one negative.
Positive Attributes:
1) HP is quite adequate.
2) The chisels and bits I received were very sharp. They believe that they would serve the non-professional well. I usually use Clico bits, but I recommend that you at least try these before you purchase an expensive set. You might be as pleasantly suprised as I was and you could save yourself some money.
3) Fit and finish is very good.
4) The column mounts to the base structure with capscrews. The Jet engineers were thinking, because they provided two assembly hole patterns.The second hole pattern allows you to turn the head around 180 degrees. This will enable you to mortise stock one or two inches taller than normal designed capacity without a major setup changes.
5) Good quality for the price.
One Negative attribute:
If you have read any of the reviews of mortise machines, you will notice a common issue with bench top mortise machines is the hold down fixture. Jet is considered to have one of the better hold down fixtures. If you have used drill press with a mortise attachment you have lived the pain of setup and hold down. This machine is by far a huge improvement over a drill press attachment. However, this hold down fixture could also be improved.Mine is not parallel with the base surface or square with the back fence. This allows the stock to rack slightly when withdrawing the chisel from the mortise. It doesn't take much movement of the wood to bind the chisel in the mortise.
Note:
I am upgrading to the Powermatics floor model because of the improved hold down, the translating table, and the larger chisel capacity. I am very happy with my Jet mortiser and do regret purchasing it. I just want more.
Operator errors to avoid:
A) If you try force the chisel and bit, you run the risk of elevating the temperature of your cutting tools and ruining the temper. Try to keep the wood from smoking.
B) If you force the cut faster than the helix on the bit can remove the chips, you can induce too much heat into the cutting tools and could stall the motor.
C) The HP is fine. If the wood is smoking, slow down.
D) Lastly, it seems too obvious, but be prepared to mountthis to a table or some other ridgid structure before use.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
Mortising has never been easier or more accurate. Model JBM-5 JET Benchtop Mortiser features include: powerful 1/2 HP TEFC 1725 RPM motor for solid performance and trouble free operation, heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction for durability and stability, three jaw drill chuck with extended chuck key for ease of positive grip on mortise drill bit. Rack and pinion head raising and lowering allows for positive drilling control. Two hinged side doors to allow for complete drill chuck access. Removable safety toggle switch for prevention of accidental turn on 1/2" max. mortise chisel capacity. 4-3/4" head stroke. Includes free 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" chisel and bit sets.
Click here for more information about Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
