Do You Like Your SawStop Jobsite Saw (JSS)?
I’m interested in buying a SawStop JSS, and I understand and completely agree that the contractor saw and cabinet saws are better machines. But my shop is small, and it’s also up a pretty steep slope. It’s probably not my forever shop, so getting one of the cast iron saws up there isn’t worth the trouble.
Are there any of you here who have used and liked the JSS? How do you feel about the fit and finish? Is it accurate enough for the type of work you do? Is the dust collection a joke?
I see myself heading toward building mostly guitars, so my bandsaw is going to see more action, but it would be nice to have a table saw to cut sheet goods square and parallel. I’ve considered the track saw route, but nothing beats setting a table saw fence, cutting, and getting back to work.
Replies
I bought one 3 years ago because I didn't have room for a full size in my basement workshop. I keep mine in my shed and role it out onto the driveway to use almost every week-end. I was surprised at how well it performs with both standard and Dado cuts. The scale is surprisingly quite accurate but I still check with a ruler. I am delighted with this saw.
How loud is it?
It is pretty loud and has a high pitched whistle that feels damaging to the ears, so you should always wear ear protection when it's turned on. It is definitely louder than most jobsite saws.
I've had a SawStop JSS for about two years and I use it three to four days a week. I bought the saw because my shop space is limited, and because I wanted a SawStop saw. I find the saw extremely accurate, but on occasion it would be nice to have more power for cutting 8/4 walnut and maple. I wear ear protection, so I really don't know how loud it is. I would recommend this saw.
I've had one for about two years. I wanted the SawStop functionality, and this was the entry point. I think it's a fine saw and well thought out in terms of controls being well placed and some nice storage for things like riving knives, blade guard, wrenches for adjustment, rip fence and push stick storage. The folding stand is easy to use and the saw is easy to wheel around when folded.
Fit and finish is great. It feels like a quality unit. Dust collection is fine. I can definitely tell when I've forgotten to turn on the vac because my shirt and pants will be covered in sawdust.
Once setup, it holds settings just fine.
There are a few things that do get on my nerves, though:
1. The rip fence - mine is tough to get in the spot I want. Furthermore, the front to back tolerance is too loose, so that when you go to lock it down, you may find the fence locks to a different position you intended.
2. The blade angle and height adjustments seem too coarse. It takes me longer than I'd like to get things just so. This is especially true of blade height as there is a lot of slop in the adjustment. Blade angle can be fine tuned with the adjustment knob.
3. I never really got the replacement zero-clearance throat plate I purchased to sit quite level with the table. I probably just got a bum one.
Thanks for the feedback!
Not sure what happened to my comment (that is waiting moderation), but wanted to share a few things.
In general, I like my JSS Pro. It feels like it's built solidly and all the parts are well made and put together. The dust collection is not a joke, but probably not up there with the best. That being said, when I forget to turn on my shop vac, my shirt, pants, and shoes are covered with dust. Not so when the vac is on.
If space and mobility are an issue, the mobile base rolls easily (at least on my driveway and garage). The folding action is excellent and easy.
If there's any concern, it's in the following areas:
1. The fence is difficult to get in the right position. I'm not sure if it's a setup issue or a design issue, but it takes me multiple tries to get it where I want. On my saw, the rip fence doesn't seem to move parallel front to back... it pivots a bit when I lock it down.
2. The blade height adjustment is very coarse. I find it takes me longer than I'd like to dial in blade height. Angle adjustments are equally coarse, but are made up for by a fine adjustment dial.
3. I couldn't get my zero-clearance insert to sit quite flush with the table.
I had a Kobalt Jobsite saw and hated it. After I had an employee lose three fingers in a home accident I made the decision to go saw stop. MY jobsite saw is the newer version that had the larger top and guard dust collection. Out of the showroom it needed little setup. I find the fence very accurate and finally got around to using my dado stack this week. The blade height adjustment is nice that in move fast in one turn but is also difficult to fine tune but it does speed up blade changes. I keep it folded up most of the time in my small shop for room and I enjoy using hand saws for smaller cuts. For the times I need a longer rip taking it outside is a must have feature. When I expand the shop I may trade up but it suits my needs now. To anyone that needs a saw that can be moved around you will find nothing better than Saw Stop. Of course the saw safety break feature comes at a premium and some say it is over priced. My employee ran up medical bills in excess of $90,000.00 dollars. My deductible is $3000 so I made the decision it was worth it for me.
I do not like my JSS at all. First, it has discharged twice when I wasn’t even touching it to the tune of $250 each time for a new blade and brake. Second, and more annoying, the rip fence is extremely inaccurate, even after Sawstop replaced the fence under warranty. I’ve adjusted it repeatedly and it won’t stay in alignment. Often, it will move as much as 1/8” and more when the lock button is pressed. Even for framing, 1/8” gap is not acceptable. Third, the plastic throat plate doesn’t seem stable and needs repeated adjustments to stay flush with the surface. Fourth, the switch went out after 18 months of use in my home shop and was quite expensive. There are other more minor issues that are a nuisance, but suffice it to say it’s not acceptable for almost any type of use, and certainly not dovetails and motets. I was honestly more pleased with my old DeWalt and plan to sell the JSS. Not sure what I’ll get, but any rip fence in the world is an improvement over the JSS.
I have had the JSS Pro for about 8 months and mostly like the saw. I had a PCS in my previous much larger shop. There are a few annoyances that others have mentioned.
- the fence moves when you lock it down. This drove me crazy until I found the fix. Just pull the fence toward you before locking it down, it will then lock where you want it to.
- the insert is never flat with the table, this makes narrow rips very inaccurate. I'm going to replace the insert and see if it's any better. At present I use the tilt adjustment to compensate.
- the mitre slots are not even, I've trued them up using a sanding block cut to their required size.
If I did this again, I'd make more space and get. the contractor saw.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled