Jet Mortiser Buy/Not Buy?

[Jerry Olexa]

Have opportunity to buy Jet BenchTop Mortiser JBM-5 at reasonable price from friend. Ready to give him a check on Monday but have some concerns: This is the slower 6amp/1720 rpm motor, Is "hold down" system adequate? , can you do bigger mortises than 1/2", etc. What's your overall rating on this mortiser? I think some of you favor the Delta but this Jet seems to be a good value. LMK. Thanks for your input...

[Jim Becker]

I like mine and it's served me well. For larger than 1/2" mortises, you can either adust the workpiece and use a smaller chisel set or find a cutter with a shank that has been milled down to fit the chuck. (I have a 3/4" chisel that is configured that way, but I can't remember where I got it from)

[Mike Cutler]

Jerry. I have the Delta 14-651, but I'm sure the Jet is just fine. As a matter of fact, the feature that tipped the Delta in my favor, the taller fence, turned out to be a non issue because I took the fence off and installed an XY sliding vise on the base.Continually loosening and tightening that hold down was a drag.
I overlapped 3/8" chisel paths to do a 3/4" mortise. i didn't have many to do tho', so it wasn't too much of a hassle.
If the Jet is in good shape, and the price is fair, I say go for it. ;)

[Fred Voorhees]

Jerry - the small number of times that I have used my Jet mortiser, I have been pretty happy with its performance. No complaints. If your getting a good buy on it, I would go for it. I can't imagine that big of a difference between the performance of the Delta and the Jet machines. JMO

[Bob Flemming]

I have yet to find one complaint with my JET mortiser. If the one you are considering has not been abused, go for it if the price is right.

[Steven Wilson]

Unless you're planing on getting the Powermatic, the Jet will do nicely. I don't use mine much anymore as I generally prefer to hand chop mortises.

[RichMagnone]

Unless you're planing on getting the Powermatic, the Jet will do nicely. I don't use mine much anymore as I generally prefer to hand chop mortises.

Unfortunatly, I've gone the other way. I was staring at my Jet mortiser today in the garage thinking: "I never use that anymore" because of the Kreg Jig (I'm not making heirlooms!). I will be trying my hand at some craftsman style stuff soon, so it may get some use now that I have rediscovered it.

[Don Selke]

Hi Jerry from a former Illinois resident:

I have the Jet mortiser and although I do not use it on a daily or sometimes on a weekly basis, when I have used it works great and has never given me any problems. I purchased mine from a local tool store that was running a sale. Have talked to several woodworkers who have the same mortising jig and they report the same results.

[Jerry Olexa]

Bought the Jet mortiser and its now sitting in my shop ready for set up and trial!Thanks for your advice and input...Hmmm , he also has a 6" Jet Jointer cabinet style but that's another issue...Thanks, guys! Anxious to try it!:)

[Steve Clardy]

I am well pleased with my Jet. Nice machine