Replies

1. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Mar 26, 2007 01:22am | #1

   Look back into the archives to find at least four or fine discussions along these lines. Though I have no experience with the Jointech, I own the JessEm system, and consider it a rock-solid performer. I have never regretted buying it. I like the new Black top with the integral lift, but my regular white top with the Router Lift System works perfectly well. I don't know what the price difference is, but I can't imagine anything being put together any better than the JessEm, so unless the price difference is very big...

1. 
   Cincinnati | Mar 26, 2007 03:58am | #2

   I was considering the Jessem Excel table, fence, lift — the whole none yards. Althought I have no doubt it is a solid, well made piece of kit, at $1880, I can't see how the precision it claims is beneficial for woodworking. Who needs to control tolerances to +/-0.005 inches?(Before you ask how I got to nearly $1900 (after tax & Shipping) for a Router table, here are the prices at Woodcraft: Basic Kit: $880 includes — Mast-R-Lift Excel Table Top, Mast-R-Fence, and Steel Router Table StandMite-R-Slide $3003.5 HP EVS Router Motor with Remote Switch $500Now, if the router table is the most used machine in your shop and you have $2000 to invest, I am one to say go for it. I am an engineer and I like well-engineered machines. The Jessem Excel seems to fit that category.) But I drew the line with this machine. It just seems overkill to me. JMHOWith the Jointech, the incremental lead screw system can also be used for the table saw as well. So I see a little more flexibility in it.Also, take a look at the Woodrat (Chipsfly.com). I know people either love or hate the concept, but it is another option to consider. Watch the video.

1. 
   ThreePuttJoe | Mar 26, 2007 04:10am | #3

   When I said price difference, I meant between the standard JessEm setup and the Jointech. I have the standard JessEm, which is about $800 all in, plus your Router (I have the 7518). I didn't realize the Excel was that much more...glad it wasn't out when I bought mine, so I wouldn't have even been tempted.

2. 
   Anderson | Mar 26, 2007 07:12am | #4

   I've the complete Jointech system and also a few items from JessEm. They are both great. What I like about the Jointech system is the digital router lift and the cabinet makers system. It works great! The unit I have includes the digital readout of the fence position. This is worth it's weight in gold!! It is no longer offered by Jointech but can be bought separately by the manufacture. The dove tailing and special cutting is great. The accuracy is wonderful. If I don't have a correctly sized bit to cut a groove, I can can use a smaller one and dial in a few thou on the fence for a second cut and get a perfect fit.

   My only complaint about the Jointech is that it is a little fussy to set-up. Once done, there is a bit of a learning curve. Then it is a pleasure to use.

   I would say that the weak point of my system is the fence. I had to send mine back to the factory because of runout from front to back. They fixed it ... no problems. Now the screws are falling out of the dust collection fitting. It's guaranteed for life, so I will be able to get it fixed for free. It's just a hassle to be without it for a few days. Their turn-around is quite quick, however.

   I've had a few problems with my JessEm, too. I have the MiterRExcel. It's a great tool. Very heavly built  and accurate. But I have had problems with screws loosening and causing me to cut inaccurately until I discovered the problem and fixed it.

   I had a JessEm router lift before the Jointech. Backlash drove me nuts!! I thought it was difficult to get it set "spot on". The Jointech seems to have eliminated that problem. It doesn't drift off the mark when making lots of repeated cuts without resetting the lift. The JessEm seemed to drift a bit. Sensitivity to vibrations I would suspect.

   All systems have their bugs ... but I believe each of these manufacturers builds quality stuff. I don't know about JessEm since, so far, I've fixed all of my own stuff from them, but Jointech certainly stands behind their gear.

   Barry in WV

1. 
   PatCap | Mar 27, 2007 06:25pm | #13

   I'm interested in this digital readout you mentioned. Is this for the Jointech's smart fence with the clincher? This can be purchased from Jointech?

1. 
   retire | Mar 27, 2007 06:55pm | #14

   Check out the jointech web site http://www.jointech.com for the digital smartlift. It was highly rated in a review from Wood magazine -sept 06. Very spendy but jointech is having a great sale right now - 30% off. Great sale but you wonder if they are about to release new models, did they overprice it in the first place or are they just having a sale!

1. 
   Ink Man | Mar 28, 2007 03:02am | #15

   Retire-after reading your post, I checked out the Jointech website.  I see they currently are offering an online rebate, but I don't see anything about 30% off.  Might be interested in some of their items if they are selling for that much off.  Am I missing something?

1. 
   retire | Mar 28, 2007 03:33am | #16

   The "up to 30% off" is on their Complete Router Workstations. Look under online catalog, then router workstation.

2. 
   coolbreeze | Mar 28, 2007 05:15am | #17

   I had a JessEm router lift before the Jointech. Backlash drove me nuts!! I thought it was difficult to get it set "spot on". The Jointech seems to have eliminated that problem. It doesn't drift off the mark when making lots of repeated cuts without resetting the lift. The JessEm seemed to drift a bit. Sensitivity to vibrations I would suspect

   Tell me it isn't so. I have a new Jessum setup minus the slide. I have not noticed any loss of the "spot", but it has not been used for a lot of repeat cuts yet. Are you talking about the Mast-R-Lift?

   The only problem I had was when I tried to set the scale(s) dead on center. When I tightened the screw, the scale movd on both sides. I finally got it where it is "about" dead on, but anytime I set up for a cut, I have to make the adjustment at the bit regardless of how the fence is aligned with the scale.

   For one who can find the time, I highly recommend making the router cabinet. It is great for storing bits and other tools. I really like mine.

1. 
   Anderson | Mar 28, 2007 05:55am | #18

   I had the rout-R-Lift. It was the best at the time, but still wasn't too smooth. It would drift if I had a lot of items to do. I had a Pc 690 on it. Now I'm using the JoinTech Digital lift with the big PC router. Love it. On my dovetails, I set them top even with the surface of the router plate, zero the scale and then make test cuts until I get it right. I write the digital reading on the shank with perminant marker. Next time I use the bit, I put it in, reference it even with the top and dial it up. Perfect every time!! I can do hundreds of items and no drift. It is pricy, but you only live once!!

   Barry in WV

3. 
   terrylee86 | Mar 26, 2007 04:38pm | #5

   By and large the digital readout is a gimmick for woodworkers.  I have seen the Jointech system at many shows and it is very impressive, but very pricey.  Check out Jessem prices at tool-corral.com.  Type in Jessem in the search window and it gives the whole gammut of Jessem products. I have the Jessem table system with just the Mast-R-Plate ($525) and the new Triton router($200) and it is the best system I have used.  The only downside is that you have to drill the hole in the plate for the router crank.  If I owned a router lift company I would be sweating bullets about these new routers with above the table adjusting systems.  I have a Bosch 1617 in a Jessem table system with the router lift and it is not as easy as my Triton because of the spindle lock.

4. 
   Castlewerks | Mar 26, 2007 06:46pm | #6

   I have the Jointech with the non-digital router lift and I hate it. The router lift is great, the rest of the system however.... If you want to make very machine cut looking/symetrical finger joints and dovetails on small boxes it does a fine job of that, but for larger cabinet drawers, etc... that becomes difficult on any router table as you inevitably try to balance a long board on end.

   Application aside, what I really don't like about the system however is the orientation of the fence on the table. The fence sits on the rectangular table parallel to the short side. As a result you have very little infeed/outfeed support. Most of the table is actually wasted (especially if you are profiling) by the Smartfence and the Clincher.

   I think it somewhat depends on what you use a router table for...

   I have looked at the JessEm quite a bit and I like it a lot, but unfortunatley I have too much money invested in the Jointech. If I had to do it over again though I would have gone with the JessEm...

   Cheers,

   Michael

1. 
   Cincinnati | Mar 26, 2007 08:00pm | #7

   The problem you express about larger boxes, cabinets, and drawers being unwieldy on the JT is why I began to look at the Woodrat. It solves that problem. I don't see that the JessEm will be any better than the JT for this application.

   Edited 3/26/2007 1:01 pm ET by Cincinnati

1. 
   Castlewerks | Mar 27, 2007 12:14am | #8

   Funny you should mention that -- I am looking at the Woodrat at the moment... How do you like the rat by the way?I didn't mean to suggest that the JessEm would be better for that application -- I completely agree that any router table is at a disadvantage for that operation. My bigger issue with the JT is, as I said, the amount of real estate that the fence and Clincher consume on the table top and the direction in which it is oriented. If you are performing a lot of operations where the fence is set far back from the cutter that's not too bad, but I believe that for the majority of typical router table operations (routing cope and stick, profiling, panel raising, template work, etc...) that's not the case and as a result the majority of the table space is wasted.Cheers,Michael

1. 
   Cincinnati | Mar 27, 2007 05:11am | #10

   Michael,I don't have a WR5 yet. But I have spent the better part of the past month educating myself about the various options on the market for joinery machines. I have considered the Jointech and Incra, JessEm, Woodrat and Multi-Router. I have viewed a lot of video; I have read everything I can get my hands on, including the users manuals.I have decided on the Woodrat WR5. I have watched the DVD a few times, read the owners manual and talked to a few users, including the man at chipsfly.com. There are several features that I like. I will probably purchase it in the next few weeks.Greg

1. 
   Castlewerks | Mar 27, 2007 05:12pm | #12

   Sorry if this is a hijack of Retire's thread...Greg,I'm not sure if I just haven't looked hard enough, but I have yet to read a bad review of the rat. There are a few posters here who are avid fans and no doubt you've read their posts. Assuming that you do pick one up drop me a note once it's up and running if you think of it -- I'm probably not too far behind you on the purchase.Cheers,Michael

5. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 27, 2007 12:39am | #9

   I built the new and improved NYW router table, but used the Jessem fence and the MastRLift. 

   And it works great.  HIghly recommend it.

   Alan - planesaw

6. 
   questtools | Mar 27, 2007 05:55am | #11

    

   Retire

   I also have the Jessem setup including top, fence and Master-R-Lift mounting a PC 7518 - the whole setup cost me $800 CDN. I built a router table to mount the setup and provide me some extra storage plus the whole setup is on locking swivel and wheel casters. Rock solid and very accurate making repetitive cuts very easy.  The slide is coming but for me the Jessem line is well built and I quit looking at any other router system!

   I agree with many of the other people who have replied - watch for sales and buy when the price is right. I had lots of success at the end of wood shows - exhibitors did not want to pack the products home and I estimated in my market I saved over 35% off retail.

   Good Luck.