Jet JWTS-10

[Eric Brabender]

I was originally looking at getting the Ridgid R4512 table saw but came across this saw for sale on facebook marketplace. Below is a photo of the id tag on the saw and the date of manufacture. Would this be a better choice over the Ridgid saw? What is an acceptable price for this saw? Does the top appear to be in too rough of shape? Thank you in advance.

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/28512626_10160155664660078_324899071_n.jpg?oh=584d abbf5c108450b7fd3c4fa25857ed&oe=5A99FD32

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/28534599_10160155665175078_839100469_n.jpg?oh=61e8 868d3739dd1b357cd76183ecfe4e&oe=5A9A0528

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/28511841_10160155664920078_1260323332_n.jpg?oh=2eb 611bee50d8ababdf2b0d0b2d1daf2&oe=5A99F4C6

[scott spencer]

The top should clean up pretty easily...non issue IMO. There are pros and cons with each choice. The Jet is a well proven traditional old school contractor saw that doesn't have a modern riving knife....instead it uses a traditional splitter, and also has an outboard motor that takes up more space. It was made in Taiwan in the Mao Shan factory, likely before 2000, and the base guts of the saw are similar to the PM64a, Grizzly, General International of the same era, many of which came from the same plant. The R4512 and jJet 708471 both have steel wings and fairly modest fences. I can't really tell from the pics given, but I think that Jet is a right tilt saw...which is best is a matter of preference.

Prices change with every region and every market place, but I'd think near $200-$250 would be a decent deal, maybe $300 tops if it checks out to be really nice and if you're area doesn't have many good used saws to offer.

[Eric Brabender]

The top should clean up pretty easily...non issue IMO. There are pros and cons with each choice. The Jet is a well proven traditional old school contractor saw that doesn't have a modern riving knife....instead it uses a traditional splitter, and also has an outboard motor that takes up more space. It was made in Taiwan in the Mao Shan factory, likely before 2000, and the base guts of the saw are similar to the PM64a, Grizzly, General International of the same era, many of which came from the same plant. The R4512 and jJet 708471 both have steel wings and fairly modest fences. I can't really tell from the pics given, but I think that Jet is a right tilt saw...which is best is a matter of preference.

Prices change with every region and every market place, but I'd think near $200-$250 would be a decent deal, maybe $300 tops if it checks out to be really nice and if you're area doesn't have many good used saws to offer.

Thanks for the good feedback. Here are a couple more photos as well in case others chime in.

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22788657_10159569603275078_1313462170313560440_n.j pg?oh=86c5fa7006c1741b058077b45ffa08d2&oe=5B0F189F

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22555153_10159569603285078_7712734387695989001_n.j pg?oh=6481ab64ddbc0f927e50c8f177c6e9a1&oe=5B0A591F

[Matthew Hills]

The top should clean up pretty easily...non issue IMO. There are pros and cons with each choice. The Jet is a well proven traditional old school contractor saw that doesn't have a modern riving knife....instead it uses a traditional splitter, and also has an outboard motor that takes up more space. It was made in Taiwan in the Mao Shan factory, likely before 2000, and the base guts of the saw are similar to the PM64a, Grizzly, General International of the same era, many of which came from the same plant. The R4512 and jJet 708471 both have steel wings and fairly modest fences. I can't really tell from the pics given, but I think that Jet is a right tilt saw...which is best is a matter of preference.

Prices change with every region and every market place, but I'd think near $200-$250 would be a decent deal, maybe $300 tops if it checks out to be really nice and if you're area doesn't have many good used saws to offer.

I'd tend to agree with above.
Take a look at the fence mechanisms of both (the fence shown in your pictures looks different than what I see in later-model JWTS-10 saws)
Ridgid includes an integrated mobility kit; this may or may not matter to you.
May want to search on whether the ridgid dust collection is helpful. (my JET JPS-10 has some dust collection, but not great)
Take a look at the riving knife on the Ridgid. A good riving knife that I keep on the saw would be worth at least $100 to me.

Matt

[Mike Cutler]

That saw sold for about $650.00 new, 25-30 years ago.
the top should clean up okay. It just looks like surface rust bloom.
It has stamped metal wings, and you will not like that fence. The rails are okay, but the actual fence does not hold parallel.
The "upgraded version" came with cast iron wings and an Xacta fence.
Dust collection is not very good, in fact it's actually pretty poor, and the saw will need to be sealed in the back and the gap between the table and boxed enclosure to effect any significant dust collection.

Brutal reality is that it's pretty much worth what someone is willing to pay. $200-$250 tops and that's only if the tilt mechanism, and raise mechanism are smooth. The blade tracks true, runout, and the motor is working well. Put a link belt on it before you even use it. The saw will "jump" on startup with a cheap solid belt.

I've had the upgraded version since the mid 90's. It's a solid little contractor saw, and I've built some nice stuff with mine. Clean it up, tune it up, and it's capable of some pretty good work. Mine is primarily set up for cross cuts now, and acts as an outfeed table for my General table saw.

[Mac McQuinn]

I had one of these saws for over 20 years and had no real issues. As mentioned, a linked belt is money well spent, much smoother and quieter. Controls are nice if kept adjusted, clean and lubricated properly. The fence as mentioned will not hold a perfect parallel although adjustments and method can minimize these issues. You can reduce the amount of dust thrown with well placed weatherstripping and dust pick ups. I liked the saw overall and never felt it reduced my abilities to any real degree. I paid $575 new and sold for $275 on C/L. People were calling long after it was gone.
Good luck,
Mac

[Matthew Hills]

Mike/Mac,
did you guys have the same fence as shown in the photos above?
The one above looks like some sort of biesemeyer clone.

Matt

[Mac McQuinn]

Mike/Mac,
did you guys have the same fence as shown in the photos above?
The one above looks like some sort of biesemeyer clone.

Matt

Matt,
Yes, mine was the same fence. It's an aluminum extrusion with cast head in wrinkle black paint. It was very smooth in operation.
BTW, a HTC mobile base really works well with this saw.
Mac

[Mike Cutler]

Mike/Mac,
did you guys have the same fence as shown in the photos above?
The one above looks like some sort of biesemeyer clone.

Matt

I started out with it because the Xacta Fence that initially came with my saw was bent. The store gave me that fence to use, off a floor model, until my replacement fence came from Jet. I only had it for a few weeks.
The 4 bolts on top are what I believe was the central issue to keeping it parallel. Trying to tighten them all down, with no single bolt applying rotational friction, was kind of the issue. I used to square it up and clamp a board along the right hand side of it, so that it wouldn't move while I was tightening the bolts. Still, I always measured the teeth at front and back before using it.
The Xacta fence was a better fence, once I got it. I still have the saw and fence.

[lowell holmes]

I have a Jet band saw and it is an excellent tool. I always considered Jet and Delta to be equal.

I made a wood insert with a splitter for my Delta contractor saw. The splitter stays in place and never interferes with anything.