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Three tries and it was right on the money. For a machine in this price range I think it's a good value. All I had left to do was hook it up my dust collector, plug it in and start cutting.Overall the fit and finish was very good. The assembly and alignment instructions were clear and well written. This seems to be due to paint fouling the threads.
All parts necessary for assembly were in the box. Note that it does take two people to handle the upper saw unit safely.The machine was aligned right "out of the box." The only adjustment I had to make was to the table stop, and that is because you have to install the stop with the table off and adjust it after the table is on. The blade was pre-installed, tensioned, and the tracking was dead center. Also, you will need metric tools to do the assembly. This unit is shipped in two carton; base unit and upper saw unit.
Total set up time from cutting open the box to cutting the first board was under an hour. Note that some of the mounting points were a bit difficult to get the bolt or knob snugged down without applying a lot of effort.
It's on the side above where dust wants to settle therefore most of my dust is either on top of the cast iron bed or slips through the bottom where the door opens to alloy you to change blades. Throw it away before you make your first cut. One, is the 4 inch dust collection outlets is absolutely useless. Your gonna love it.
Junk, junk, junk. A great deal I figured.This saw has quickly become one of my shops most valued tool. I ordered and installed an Olson blade and man, what a huge difference and they are inexpensive too. I want to stretch the cherry wood I had milled four years ago from trees that were cut on my property. At the time it was $549.99 with free shipping, $50.00 rebate AND free miter gauge and fence. It performs flawlessly and it's a pleasure to use. It does the job perfectly for that.I only have two beefs with Jet. It's either that or my Jet dust collector is crap.
I can't imagine what an expensive blade would do.Anyway, if you're thinking of buying it just do it. I bought this bandsaw through Woodcraft. Most of my sawing is for resawing Cherry 5/4 into veneer. The latter is not the case because that works great for my other tools in removing dust and chips in my shop.The other complaint is the jet blade that comes with the saw.
I would recommend spending the extra money to get the 1 hp motor instead of the 3/4 hp. It has all the power needed to resaw a 6" oak board. The only problem I have had is the blade tensioner broke after approximately 6 months. I have used to resaw 2x4 pine boards to build a fence. I have been very happy with this product and I use it all the time. I also make boxes which I cut curves in a 6" thick piece of hardwood with no problems.
Jet quickly sent a new part and it was easy to replace. I have had the Jet bandsaw for over a year. It has done well to resaw hardwoods such a oak and birch. The guides adjust quickly and the blade tracks well.
I bought this saw three years ago and have had nothing but problems since.I also have a Jet tablesaw -- which I love -- that led to me purchasing this bandsaw.For the money, this saw should come better built, better-equipped, and/or better-priced.It lacks decent blade bearings -- so add to purchase price $100+ for Carter bearings. Also add the extension pack for resawing -- another $50-$100, plus blades.It lacks a blade de-tensioner, add another $150.It does not come balanced and will shake like crazy, so add your time to balance the wheels.The dust extraction is a joke and it has nothing to clean the dust off the bottom wheel as it is working -- add your time to resolve that.The hardware that they use to get the blade tensioner is third-rate and I am replacing it for the third time.All-in-all, I wish I had bought the Laguna -- my buddy has one for less than I sank into this machine and his is reliable.The only positive note I have to add, is that when it is running nicely, after much tuning, it does work well -- but that doesn't seem to last too long a time.Good luck,Erik.
Timothy the Tool Man I have only one thing that I wish it had on it. The blade is still very solid and has that really nice sound of a good band saw. The wheels seem to pick up junk that will get them out of balance. And it the best one so far.
Other than that I am very happy with this tool and I would do it again if I need another one some time. You know the sound when you hear it. Needless to say that I use it a lot. This is my fourth band saw. I did add the 6" riser kit and am happy with the way that worked out.
That would be a blade brush.
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