Greetings,
I’m just getting started with woodworking, and I’m looking to upgrade my table saw situation. Right now I’m working on a Craftsman 10″ contractor unit. I have an opportunity to get a used Jet (JTS-10DD) for less that $400. (Which is appealing on a pandemic budget).
I’ve read about the power issues you can run into with direct drive saws – is this a worthwhile upgrade?
Thanks,
Chris
Replies
My first saw was a Jet contractor saw with an accurate fence system. It worked for several years and through many projects. You can often overcome the power issue but an accurate fence system is a must have. So I suggest you pay attention to how accurate this saw can be.
Great insight, thank you!
I took an on line look at the saw you are considering. I suggest you save up some more money and get something that has a better fence system. There is no sense in starting off with something that is going to cause a lot of frustration if you are serious about your new woodworking adventure.
I'm not sure how old of a model the JTS-10DD is or its features. As a consideration when buying a used table saw, in addition to a better fence (an essential), you might consider looking for one with a riving knife (of course that would eliminate many old saws) or at a minimum budgeting for a good splitter jig, e.g. Microjig that adds some safety when ripping. If you are really needing something different, $400 for a used DD seems on the high side unless you are getting some decent accessories with it (e.g. blades, dado, etc). I might be under-estimating the used market or maybe I'm just cheap. For a bit more than that you could buy a Bosch job site saw which is relatively solid, accurate and safe, which you can do an awful lot with, so you might consider making that a comparison point. Good hunting to you.
I had a Bosch job site saw for a while and it worked ok but I ended up getting an older unisaw and over time I put a new after market fence a shark riving knife system and blade guard and it works great ,If money is tight get an older
Unisaw and fix it up you won’t be disappointed worth the money IMHO
All just food for thought . . . .
Assuming the C-man contractor saw is an actual contractor format saw and not a job site saw I would question the Jet being an upgrade. The direct drive and dado limitations would give me something to think about. A typical contractor saw may have alignment issues when making bevel cuts but, is most other areas can be tuned up to be a very serviceable saw.
If your current saw is not meeting your needs, what are the areas where it fails you? Does the Jet, with reported power and options issues turn out to be a better saw at a not too great a price?
If a replacement is needed, make a list of the top 3 - 5 features that you need improvements on; safety, fence, blade adjustments, capacity, ease of alignment, or whatever. Use this as a guide to hold up against any potential replacements. $400 can buy a lot of saw in the used market. There are a lot of 1950's through 1970's Emerson Electric manufactured, Craftsman badged saws out there that are of a good quality.
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