Jet 22" saw

[Paladin]

So, I went and did it - I bought one.  I was looking to upgrade from my ailing Dewalt that i've had for almost 10 years and was looking at the EX-21, but the Jet looked so similar but with a few improvements that i went with the Jet instead.  First impressions - runs very smooth even at highest speed.  Not much setup out of the box, made a small adjustment to the motor position to minimize the front/back motion of the blade (there is still a small amount, but I don't think you can get it to zero with these types of saws).  Had to adjust the top arm hold-up because the arm wanted to slip down once in a while. Other than those two things, it was take it out, plug it in, and go.  The left/right table angle was right on the money and needed no adjustments.  Biggest selling point for me as I do a lot of fretwork is the top blade clamp and i can tell you it works as advertised.  I was on the saw for a while yesterday and probably make about 100 cuts, and never had the blade slip even once.  I am getting better blade tension now than I ever did with my Dewalt.  For those who like to top-feed...look elsewhere.  I can't imagine a workable way to top feed on this saw, I never really got the hang of doing it on my Dewalt so this was not a really big deal for me.  I know some people were raising concerns about the slot on the table, but I don't think it will be a problem.  The way the table is mounted underneath, unless something catastrophic happens I don't foresee the table becoming un-level or anything because of the slot.  The way the bottom clamp works with taking it off of the arm in order to load the blade makes the slot necessary in my opinion.  It would be very difficult to get the blade in the machine without the slot in the table.  The dust collection seems to be improved over the EX series.  I have read where many people have said that the membrane on the bottom of the EX causes problems.  That membrane has been removed and replaced by a plastic plate instead.  I didn't have any problems with any pieces getting stuck in there yet, but we'll see how it goes with some more cutting.  I'm not sure looking at pictures of the EX if the table is the same or not, it appears to be very similar except for the slot.  One concern I do have about the table is there is only about 4" of table in front of the blade.  Maybe this is the same as the EX, I can't be certain as I haven't seen one to be able to check it.  I am used to my Dewalt's large teardrop table that has lots of room in the front.  I haven't cut anything large yet, so not sure how big a problem this will be.  The Top arm lifts up pretty high to allow you to bottom feed the blade pretty easily.  With the arm in it's up position, there is about 10" of space between the end of the arm and the table.

I was able to look around on the internet and found a place to get the saw and stand for the price that most places were selling just the saw for.  It drops ships directly from Jet anyways, so where you buy it doesn't make much difference I don't think - so go for the best price.  It comes with a foot switch, which looking at the switch on the saw, I think this is the only realistic way of using it.  The power switch is covered to keep the dust out, but is very small so I think it would be hard to use it all the time.  I've used a foot switch for years, so this is no big deal to me.  One thing I was pleased to see was that all the bearings that I can see on the front of the saw are sealed.  Unlike the Dewalt, there are covers over the sides of all the bearings so nothing should be able to get into them.  Instructions for assembly of the stand are non-existent.  There is only an exploded view to go off of, but it is not difficult to get it together.

 

My conclusion on this new saw is it is a winner in my book.  I may be a bit glassy eyed after struggling with my Dewalt, but this Jet machine cuts like a dream.

 

If you guys have any questions, let me know and I will try and get answers for you.

 

Steve

[Scrolling Steve]

Congrats on the new saw !.....Enjoy !

[WayneMahler]

Congrats on the new saw. Thanks for the review. Enjoy making saw dust with it

[Fish]

Sounds great! Thanks for the input and have some fun!

[Scrappile]

Congratulations and thanks for taking the time to write the review.  Hegner saws have been around a long time and they have a slot in the table top.  I have never read of any problems with the table top becoming uneven because of it.  Hegner's table top is not as large, but I don't see it being a problem.  I went from a Dewalt to a Excalibur, and the Ex only has about 4" in front of the blade.  It took me a little time to get use to that, but not long.  I guess the only thing that we don't know is how durable the new Jet is.  Time will only answer that.  

[Denny Knappen]

Thanks for the excellent review and the best to you with the new saw.

[Old Joe]

Thanks for taking the time for the in depth initial impressions.I am new to scrolling and bought a Dewalt a while back to get started with. I am reasonably content, but I am predisposed to a bit of prejudice regarding them because of issues I'd had with some of their other tools over the years when I was doing general handyman work.As I get better at scrolling, and wear the DW down, I will be looking ahead to my next saw, and I'm a sponge for information about all of them.

[Greenie]

Congrats on the new saw--now go make some sawdust 

[bandaideman]

thanks for the review I have been waiting for someone who actually owned and scrolled to tell the story. I am not in the market for a new saw but like to be up to speed

[Old Joe]

I found this informative video on you tube on the new Jet:

 

https://youtu.be/mSBM70Ru5n4

[Clayton717]

thanks for the review. I have a couple other Jet tools (lathe & table saw) and a great tools. If my EX 21 ever gives up the ghost I will look at the jet for a replacement

[Lucky2]

Thanks for the informative review,I knew nothing about these saws. But, after watching the video I'd stick with the EX for a couple of reasons.

Len

[dgman]

Thanks for the review Steve. I am a top feeder so this saw is not for me.

[amazingkevin]

So, I went and did it - I bought one.  I was looking to upgrade from my ailing Dewalt that i've had for almost 10 years and was looking at the EX-21, but the Jet looked so similar but with a few improvements that i went with the Jet instead.  First impressions - runs very smooth even at highest speed.  Not much setup out of the box, made a small adjustment to the motor position to minimize the front/back motion of the blade (there is still a small amount, but I don't think you can get it to zero with these types of saws).  Had to adjust the top arm hold-up because the arm wanted to slip down once in a while. Other than those two things, it was take it out, plug it in, and go.  The left/right table angle was right on the money and needed no adjustments.  Biggest selling point for me as I do a lot of fretwork is the top blade clamp and i can tell you it works as advertised.  I was on the saw for a while yesterday and probably make about 100 cuts, and never had the blade slip even once.  I am getting better blade tension now than I ever did with my Dewalt.  For those who like to top-feed...look elsewhere.  I can't imagine a workable way to top feed on this saw, I never really got the hang of doing it on my Dewalt so this was not a really big deal for me.  I know some people were raising concerns about the slot on the table, but I don't think it will be a problem.  The way the table is mounted underneath, unless something catastrophic happens I don't foresee the table becoming un-level or anything because of the slot.  The way the bottom clamp works with taking it off of the arm in order to load the blade makes the slot necessary in my opinion.  It would be very difficult to get the blade in the machine without the slot in the table.  The dust collection seems to be improved over the EX series.  I have read where many people have said that the membrane on the bottom of the EX causes problems.  That membrane has been removed and replaced by a plastic plate instead.  I didn't have any problems with any pieces getting stuck in there yet, but we'll see how it goes with some more cutting.  I'm not sure looking at pictures of the EX if the table is the same or not, it appears to be very similar except for the slot.  One concern I do have about the table is there is only about 4" of table in front of the blade.  Maybe this is the same as the EX, I can't be certain as I haven't seen one to be able to check it.  I am used to my Dewalt's large teardrop table that has lots of room in the front.  I haven't cut anything large yet, so not sure how big a problem this will be.  The Top arm lifts up pretty high to allow you to bottom feed the blade pretty easily.  With the arm in it's up position, there is about 10" of space between the end of the arm and the table.

I was able to look around on the internet and found a place to get the saw and stand for the price that most places were selling just the saw for.  It drops ships directly from Jet anyways, so where you buy it doesn't make much difference I don't think - so go for the best price.  It comes with a foot switch, which looking at the switch on the saw, I think this is the only realistic way of using it.  The power switch is covered to keep the dust out, but is very small so I think it would be hard to use it all the time.  I've used a foot switch for years, so this is no big deal to me.  One thing I was pleased to see was that all the bearings that I can see on the front of the saw are sealed.  Unlike the Dewalt, there are covers over the sides of all the bearings so nothing should be able to get into them.  Instructions for assembly of the stand are non-existent.  There is only an exploded view to go off of, but it is not difficult to get it together.

 

My conclusion on this new saw is it is a winner in my book.  I may be a bit glassy eyed after struggling with my Dewalt, but this Jet machine cuts like a dream.

 

If you guys have any questions, let me know and I will try and get answers for you.

 

Steve

Great commentary,Im would have loved to see pictures coordinated with the commentary so i could get a birds eye view of everything talked about

[heppnerguy]

Nice review. I saw this saw advertised on the new Wood Crafters pamphlet. It was for sale at just under $900. It sure looks like a good saw it sounds like a good choice for you, for sure. Thanks for taking the time to make such a great observation of the Jet Scrollsaw. I am sure it will be helpful to many others who might be eyeing one of these saws

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[tonylumps]

Steve are you still liking the new saw.Any updates The more I am reading about it the more interesting it looks.

[hotshot]

I was excited by news of the Jet until I found out that it was bottom feeding only.  For bottom feeders, seems like a great choice.  I'm hoping Jet comes out with another model for thost that prefer top feeding.

 

-------Randy

[hawkeye10]

Thanks for the very good review. I hope you will come back and add to it pretty soon. I might be interested in this saw.

 

Don

[Paladin]

Steve are you still liking the new saw.Any updates The more I am reading about it the more interesting it looks.

Still loving it.  I find it much easier to do highly detailed cutting now versus the Dewalt I had been using.  I always cut detailed stuff anyways, but I feel much more in control of everything now.  This saw is so much smoother and more enjoyable to use.  Very small cut out pieces do get stuck in the holes in the table which is kind of a pain sometimes, but I hear this was a problem with the newer ex's as well as they use what looks like thew same table design.  Other than that - very satisfied with my purchase.  I feel a little smile come to my face whenever I head out to the garage and turn it on for the first time each day.

[tonylumps]

Still loving it.  I find it much easier to do highly detailed cutting now versus the Dewalt I had been using.  I always cut detailed stuff anyways, but I feel much more in control of everything now.  This saw is so much smoother and more enjoyable to use.  Very small cut out pieces do get stuck in the holes in the table which is kind of a pain sometimes, but I hear this was a problem with the newer ex's as well as they use what looks like thew same table design.  Other than that - very satisfied with my purchase.  I feel a little smile come to my face whenever I head out to the garage and turn it on for the first time each day.

Glad to here that.It maybe taking the place of the EX.

[hawkeye10]

Glad to here that.It maybe taking the place of the EX.

I think you may be right. I sent an email to Seyco asking about when the EX would be back in stock. I haven't heard anything back. I thought about buying the EX if I don't get my Dewalt 788 and as each day passes I don't think I will. Reading the good review on the Jet makes me want to buy it. The price keeps going up never down. LOL

[Old Joe]

Right now I am only about 5 months into my Dewalt, but if I were looking to start all over again the Jet would be high on my list. Bottom feeding would take an adjustment, but, hey, they told me the same thing about the rotary shifter on my Ram truck 3 years ago. That took about 10 minutes, which of course I can never get back. Now, I never look back on that, and I think bottom feeding would be the same if it was well designed.

[Blaughn]

Still loving it.  I find it much easier to do highly detailed cutting now versus the Dewalt I had been using.  I always cut detailed stuff anyways, but I feel much more in control of everything now.  This saw is so much smoother and more enjoyable to use.  Very small cut out pieces do get stuck in the holes in the table which is kind of a pain sometimes, but I hear this was a problem with the newer ex's as well as they use what looks like thew same table design.  Other than that - very satisfied with my purchase.  I feel a little smile come to my face whenever I head out to the garage and turn it on for the first time each day.

Have you had any blade breakage issues or problems with the top blade mechanism. It sure looks slick if it works well.

Edited August 19, 2016 by Blaughn

[Paladin]

Have you had any blade breakage issues or problems with the top blade mechanism. It sure looks slick if it works well.

Only time I've broken a blade was after I used it for too long and it broke in the middle.  Haven't had the blade slip out of the top holder at all, it works great.

[Sparkey]

Congrats on the new saw. Sounds like a winner.