I installed the Jessem Mast-R-Slide on my Sawstop cabinet saw yesterday, and I faced a few challenges that I thought I’d share.
First, the bolt holes in the side of the Sawstop’s main saw table are apparently lower than the Jessem folks anticipated, so I couldn’t get the basic table within 3/16″ of the top as instructed. That meant I had to crank the sliding table a lot higher with the adjustment screws, which meant that the bolts that hold the sliding table to the bearing table were now too short by 1/4″. Off to the borg for longer button head screws (cleaned out their stock buying 8 of them). Came back and finally got the table adjusted parallel to the table saw top.
But then the spring-loaded pin that engages the bottom of the slider table to lock it in different positions wouldn’t engage, so I had to unthread it from the table, remove the cotter pin, and grind the pieces that hold it so that they would allow the pin the go higher. Oh, and stretch the sping so it would force the pin higher.
That was the end of the Sawstop-related problems, but not the end of the problems.
Next, I tried to assemble and install the fence. However, the nuts they provided to attach to fence to the L-shaped fence brackets were twice as big as they should have been. I finally figured out that they had given me 4 of the nuts used to attach the side table, instead of the 2 nuts for the side table and the two much smaller nuts for the fence. I finally found some t-slot rectangular nuts that worked.
Then I installed the fence’s flip-stop. But it would not sit flush against the face of the fence. After grinding it and finally resorting to hitting it with a rubber mallet to square it up, I got it flush.
I finally got it all assembled, but by then I was too tired to actually saw anything. I’ll probably do that tonight, and use the Five-cut method to calibrate it.
It’s a shame that Jessem has such shoddy quality control as to ship something out with so many defects.
Replies
Thanks for that. I have looking at that for some time. You just saved me a lot of money.
Cheers,
Peter
Better life through Zoodles and poutine...
I don't think that's necessarily the right conclusion. I ultimately was able to get it installed OK, and it's rock-solid now. I just had to fool with it quite a bit to get it to that point.
Yeah, I know. It is just that I have a problem with having to chop off a part of the rails. No going back here. I took a big gulp and decided not to go there.Glad it finally worked out for you. Any updates on the day to day use would be welcome.Cheers,Peter
Better life through Zoodles and poutine...
I have one of these slider attachments. I didn't have any trouble whatsoever in setting it up. My only complaint is that the sliding action isn't really really really smooth. It's just smooth. I use it for large panels only, preferring my sled for anything that will fit into it. I like the fact that a sled carries the work piece with its base whereas the Jessem has a partial carrier surface and leaves the off-cut portion behind. I don't have any regrets about cutting the end off of my Biesemeyer fence rail..... after all, it's just a piece of metal tube.
My sentiments exactly Peter. I had looked at that setup, and thought it would really be slick. But when I looked into it and discovered that I would have to chop off part of the rails, I decided against it. I also have been disappointed with the quality of Jessem products recently. I used to rave about their quality and customer service, as it was something to rave about. Now, however, it seems their quality has gone downhill considerably. The mgr. at my local woodcraft store said that in order to save costs, Jessem now farms many of the components (especially the anodized parts) of their products. I shows in the stained, pitted and mismatched parts. I am not saying that Jessem products are of poor quality, but for their considerable expense, and compared with what they used to be, they have certainly gone downhill. In the past, I have emailed them about things, and gotten a quick, positive response. I recently emailed them complaining about the quality of my newly purchased Miter-Slide, and asking how I might get replacements for some of the poor quality parts, and NEVER even heard back from them.
Quick note:
I dont have the Jessem but I do have the Excalibur. I contacted SS to check on the price of replacement rails... $200 bucks - but that was before the price increase.
But when I looked into it and discovered that I would have to chop off part of the rails,
YOU DO HAVE A POINT What I chopped off I never used!
I installed the Jesem-Rockler slider on my powermatic with minimal problems and find it a joy to use. But the thought of cutting the rails also bothered me so I simply slid them sideway the 7 or 8 inches required to clear the slider and viola' now my rails allow for a nearly 40 " cut. Yes it did entail drilling some new holes etc, but the gain was worth the effort.
It's a shame that Jessem has such shoddy quality control as to ship something out with so many defects.
I have one and love it! But to each their own... I had zero problems installing mine.
"First, the bolt holes in the side of the Sawstop's main saw table are apparently lower than the Jessem folks anticipated,,,"
It all started there. A good old rat-tail file would have been the first tool I picked up.
Sorry about your difficulties. Really.
I hope your finished project works well. Even if I'm not using it, I like the added width on the left side table.
Edit:
About the "the fence's flip-stop. " I agree.. Crap! One thing I do not like about mine. AND I sure wish the degree scale was moveable and not glued on!
Edited 10/15/2008 5:31 am by WillGeorge
Agreed...just would have enlarged or redrilled the holes...
I don't have either, and with the economy the way it is, I don't know when I'll build up the courage to get a new cabinet saw.
But I was working out the cost of the SawStop and Mast-R-Slide, and thought that at that point, why not get a true Slider like a small Hammer/Felder or Laguna TSS or even a MiniMax C26 Combo.
A euro style slider also has the entire sliding table right next to the blade.
I don't have either, and with the economy the way it is, I don't know when I'll build up the courage to get a new cabinet saw.
I have my so called piece of crap... Ridgid from a Big Box! I like my saw ALOT.. Sure wish the motor was inside the cabinet!
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled