Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | May 15, 2008 02:59am | #1

   Hi,
   I wish I could hide my feelings about what WMH has done to the Jet and Powermatic brands. In my opinion, and it is just an opinion, they have let the bottom line take over and are turning out lesser quality tools. I have a Jet jointer. I like it. I have an old Jet drill press. I like it. I had a new 14" Jet band saw. It was awful. I sold it and told the buyer that it was junk.

   The blade guides are terrible, the blade guard does not lock down properly as it pivots on a single point hold down screw in a V-groove, the trunnions are pot metal. It's inexcusable to make a tool like this and act like it's capable of so much.

   You look at what Lie-Nielsen has done for hand tools and you realize that you can make a good product, a product that works, and is priced accordingly. There is a market for quality. I don't believe there is a growing market for cheaper and cheaper goods that can't do the job, that aren't designed for even moderate work, and that don't hold up.

   Sell it, buy a real saw. Off my soap box. Unfortunately when it comes to band saws, bigger really is better. Get at least a 16" Minimax or check out Laguna. General makes an okay saw as well and the 14" Powermatic I have is an okay little saw. But for resawing why spend all your time tuning up a Volkswagen hoping it will turn into a Porsche?

   But try a 3 tpi hook tooth blade first of all. A more aggressive blade might help. Make sure the wheels are balanced, I doubt that they will be. I forget if these are cast aluminum or steel. I don't think they're cast iron. You might be able to balance them a bit better with rare earth magnets or drilling off some material at the heavy spots. Make sure the guides are close when cutting but it sounds like you took care of that. It's an undersized motor so hope that the blade will help. Good luck. Gary

2. 
   pita | May 22, 2008 05:00am | #2

   I have a jet with riser block and have not had any problems resawing, hard maple, cherry and mahogany.  My last project was resawing 9" maple.  I've always used a 1/2" 3tpi blade AND most importantly I upgraded my jet with the Carter bearings --  I was so surprised on how the carter improved my resawing... Now if there is a disadvantage, I am not sure what it is, given 90% of my work is RESAWING!

1. 
   knightrider | May 22, 2008 07:31pm | #3

   thanks for the response, I called jet, they replaced the motor, everything is fine now. I'm still using their blocks but it does take continuall adjustment to keep them right