any opinions on Jet 12" BS

[sdj]

This is on sale at WoodCraft. Anybody have an opinion?


JET 12'' Bandsaw
Model JWBS-120S. Powerful 1/2 HP, TEFC 115 V motor, full six inches under guide and 12" blade to frame cutting capacity, large 14'' x 14'' cast iron table tilts 45º to the right and 10º to the left. Built in 2-1/2" dust port with 4" adapter. Shipping weight 200 lb.; shipped by common carrier at our regular shipping & handling rate plus $20 for excess weight. Freight items will be brought to the back of the delivery truck and it is your responsibility to unload. The driver will not help you. If you want delivery with a liftgate truck or wish to pick up the item yourself at the terminal, contact our Customer Service Dept. and they will work out the details and contact you with options.

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Name: Jet 12" Bandsaw Model JWBS-120S
Price:$379.99 $299.99 Sale

[LCHIEN]

That sounds almost exactly like my 12" Delta BS (specwise, anyway) I bought before I started frequenting this forum, also for $299.

I sort of wish I had gotten a 14" from reading the posts here, like the Griz G0555 14" is only $375 and includes fence, miter gage. It has the same cutting height but twice the HP.

I eventually spent money and had to buy a rip fence (Duginske's, about $80 but came with a microadjuster) and a miter gage and cool blocks which made mine almost as much. I think the cool blocks are an odd size - like 1/2" instead of 5/8".

On the other hand, I've never really encountered a situation where it would not do the job for me in terms of capacity and power (altho I have not yet resawn a *large/long* piece of wood that would make me miss the extra 1/2 HP). The 14" Griz actually resaws the same 6" but can be expanded another 6" with a riser block.

personally, I'd get the 14" Griz over the HF and the 12" Delta, and the 12" Jet, if I had the choice today.

[Hoover]

I have the 12" Jet bandsaw, you are asking about. It has a Sears fence and Cool Blocks added. Like Loring in the post above, by the time you add in all the extras, you are better off getting the Grizzly G0555. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy a 14 inch Grizzly with the 6" riser block.

[sdj]

boy the HF 14" looks just like the Grizzly. You really think the Grizzly is worth another $100 plus shipping?
What are the advantages of the Grizzly over the HF model?

[michael1313]

Grizzly comes with the resaw fence and miter gauge is the main difference. Also I suppose brand name is a big difference.

Personally I think the HF is a heck of a deal for a bandsaw especially when you pick it up for the $219 - 10% price. Unlike a lot of other tools a Bandsaw only needs a few things to perform well. The table need to be flat, the table needs to square up to the blade, motor needs to be powerful enough, blade needs to tension properly and the blade needs to track correctly on the tires. The HF does each of these things. So it's a good bandsaw for the money. It doesn't come with the resaw fence like the grizzly but you can put on any aftermarket fence on the thing for under a $100 so it is still cheaper than the grizzly. That being said the Grizzly is a great saw if you can get around the shipping.

No matter how many forums I've been on I've only heard people complain about a bandsaw if it's too small for what they need to do. You won't hear too much about brands usually people wish the just had bought a larger one.

Other thing to consider is if you buy a name brand saw like Delta or Jet you will get support on the saw longer and be able find parts unlike if you go with an HF bandsaw.

Also I've seen that 12" Jet on sale at menards for $269.

[Thom2]

quote:Originally posted by michael1313

Grizzly comes with the resaw fence and miter gauge is the main difference. Also I suppose brand name is a big difference.

Grizz G0555 also comes with Carter style roller-guides and quick-release tension


Thom
wish I woulda bought a grizz in PA

[michael1313]

Yep you probably know better than I since your lucky enough to have grizzly and wilke within driving distance of you. Wish I was that lucky.

[mehranh]

SDJ...$299 is the going price for the 12" Jet. Amazon has had it for months...(and I think it's free shipping). Most places I have seen on the net and stores are also around $299.

For me...I would love to buy the Grizzly...but I am waiting for HF $229 sale (they are opening a store in Philadelphia...maybe they will have some special sales)

[sdj]

Hard decision, I am leaning toward the HF model. Thanks for all the info. What's so "special" about the Carter Style rollers. I am not concerned about the re-saw fence at this time. I'm a novice and don't seem myself, "re-sawing" in the near future.

[Scottydont]

I was concidering a 12" Jet and had seen them for $249 at the WW shows, $299 is a good sale price. During that process my HD had the Gray Ridgid for $249, I couldn't pass it up. After spending $80 for fence and $50 for a miter gauge I would concider the Griz. The Carter rollers are sweet but hard to cost justify. I replaced the stock blade (good practice for anyone buying a bandsaw) and replaced the junk guide blocks with HF roller guides for $10 and this puppy cuts like a dream. With a band saw you can make due with a straight board and clamps for a fence if that is a budget problem.