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I'm a new woodworker and I bought this machine, because I was afraid of messing up good work with a drill press and hand chisels. The Jet machine arrivedin perfect shape, was very easy to set up and worked exactly as I'd hoped it would. I was apprehensive over the purchase, because most benchtop mortisers seemedto draw mixed reviews. But I needn't have worried. It's not perfect, positioning the workpiece square against the fence requires some care and attention to detail, but the machine still makes mortising easy and accurate. It's definately worth the money.
I just received the Jet Mortise machine yesterday. This is my first Jet tool and it will be my last. Closer inspection revealed the fan on the top of the motor was grinding against the housing.
At first it wouldn't do anything thing but hum a little. These bolt holes attach the column to the base. Took it out of the box, assembled it and plugged it in.
Further inspection of the machine showed the bolt holes in the base were not taped square. I turned the chuck a little, then turned it back on. It made a horrible grinding sound.
I'm skeptical how square the machine would cut if the manufacturer cannot machine square bolt holes. I just ordered a Powermatic to replace this junk.
Unlike the Delta hollow chisel mortiser, which I had to return twice, this one arrived in perfect conditions and was up and running after 10 minutes.I used it right away to make 16 mortises in solid cherry (some with different depth within the same mortise), and it performed very well. That's what I like about it.D. As for the chip ejection, I really did not have any problems at all.
But with a good set of chisel, it's done in a snap).I don't find the blade to be as low quality as some of the reviewers wrote: after over a hundred plunge, it's still as sharp as new. Jet engineer their tool so that every action is reduced to the simplest desing, which you understand right away when looking at the tool. It is very accurate, and the waste is easy to clean with a chisel (unlike the use of a router to cut mortise, a hollow chisel mortiser will need some cleaning of the mortise.
Just cut the mortise in the opposite direction of the opening in the chisel and your all set.Overall, very happy with this unit. Besides, like any cutting blade, you need to maintain it properly. It's not meant to be disposable.
You don't have to scratch your head 20 minutes trying to figure out how to adjust it. Lafrance
I don't think I can say it much better than most of the other reviewers here, but that's never stopped me before.It's a very well made product, from the mortiser itself, the very sharp chisels that come with it and the chuck key. However, the hold down does leave a bit to be desired. It doesn't give me that sense of confidence at all times as far as whether or not it'll stay put.but it has so far.Personally, other than the hold down, I love this tool. If you're drilling holes and chiseling the waste wood or routing.well if you've got the dough (and in this economy, it's an understandable consideration)., give the Jet a looksee.
Contrary to some of the recent reviews below, mine arrived without a scratch in a pristine-looking box-- and just three days after I ordered with free shipping. As others have noted there's a hydraulic cylinder on the head that doesn't really seem to do much, but I found the action to be relatively smooth without it. Finally decided to try a benchtop mortiser and with the rebate the Jet looked a bit better (i.e. jointer and planer) and I've always had excellent experiences with their shipping service.Assembly took less than ten minutes and I was making sawdust soon after. If you do a lot of M&T joinery or are making Craftsman furniture as I am (doing a bed this summer) it should be a real time saver. Can't argue about that. Nothing was slathered with grease.
My next purchase will have to be the proper stone to sharpen these chisels; the were quite sharp out of the box but I'm sure will dull quickly as well.At this price point, with free shipping, I think either the Jet or Delta would be acceptable. cheaper) than the other options. My test cuts in red oak went in easily and the bit did not clog. This is my fifth or sixth major tool purchase from Amazon (inc. The unit actually comes mostly assembled; all that has to be added is the arm, fence, and table. It's not exciting but it makes square holes. Otherwise, you may want to save the space and just use your router and a hand chisel to square off the ends.
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