Hello All-
I’m in the market for a table saw and I’ve been mighty tempted by the offer popping up in all the woodworking magazines about the Jet Xacta saw with a free router and the router lift included.
The problem that I’m running into is that all the reviews for saws that I read have actual stock numbers and Jet doesn’t say what saw this is other than the Xacta.
I don’t have a router table, so this offer is tempting, but part of me is trying to decide if I’d be better off buying a different table saw and spending the left over money on a shaper. Anyone have any experience with this saw? I’m awfully nervous about shelling out $1,800 for a pig in a poke, but I have had good results with Jet in the past. Thanks All.
Replies
It may well be Jet model 708663pk it is listed in the catalog as 10" xacta saw left tilt w/50"xacta fence the catalog I have it sells for 1499.99. with with out the lift. The xacta lift it goes for 1699.99 that include a free table board and legs.
Dose not have the router or the lift 1499.99. You said it was free Ya right.
Yeah, You're right, but for the extra money, you get the lift, the fence and the router, so I guess you could make a pretty strong case that the router is free.
What I really should have posted is that I'm trying to make up my mind about buying the saw and router table, or buying one of the hybrids that have come out lately, either the DeWalt or the Jet and using the money left over to pick up a cheap Shaper instead of a router table. I already have more routers than I need, but I never say no to another tool!
I'm an amatuer woodworker, so I'm sure either one would be fine, but since I have been saving for this purchase for the last three years (I throw all my change in a bowl at the end of every night, and that's what I use to buy my tools, so I'm literally buying it with my nickles and dimes) I really want to end up with something that I'll be happy with. I also can't wait to get rid of the old Craftman contractors saw that I've been using for the last twenty five years. It has it's advantages, I can cut tapers without a jig just using the fence (it's straight that's a problem), I could probably use it to make butter with the shaking, and I think it would probably make a hell of a boat anchor, but as far as woodworking goes, it leaves a little something to be desired. Since I figure I only have one shot at this, I really want to get it right, that's why any and all input is desired. Thanks again,
Brian
I feel like I got hosed. I bought that saw a year and a half ago and now their giving away router and lifts with the same purchase!! This sucks.
Hey jack, I can imagine your frustration, I felt that way with my biscuit joiner when it came out a month later for ten bucks less and a 1,000 biscuits, I can only imagine how bent out of shape if I would be if I missed out on a lift and router. But with all that aside, what do you think of the saw? Thanks,
Brian
Actually I like the saw very much. It's a relatively good cabinet saw and the price at the time was better than the Delta and Powermatic(of which I've used both extensively at different shops). The Delta and the Jet perform about equally and cost about the same. The Powermatic seemed to be a smoother operating saw but was priced about $500 more. To much for the slight difference. Go with the Jet and the freebies. I do like the Unifence over the X-acta fence, but once again the difference is very slight. Freebies win.
Are you prepared to spend alot of extra nickles and dimes on shaper cutters. I have a shaper and I love it. I use it daily but you need to know that you ain't going to be using it till you have cutting heads in it. They are typically stouter and last longer and I feel that you have a bit more control with a shaper due to the reduced speed of the cutters, those cutters (good quality ones ) are expensive. Just something to think about.
I think there are better purchases out there for that kind of money and you could still have money left for a new router table or at the very least a good quality lift if that is what you are looking for.
Best of luck with your purchase.
If I could I would love to pick up that package. Here is a link to cabinet saw reviews. It may help you decide about the Xacta saw.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00042.asp
Good luck and Happy shopping.
Matt-
As far as I know Jet doesn't play "shell" games with the Exacta Saw like Delta does with the ridiculous number of model numbers. There's 2 basic Exacta's - left or right tilt, everything else is readily apparent like fence lenght, cast iron tables ... I have the left tilt with the 50" Exacta fence. I like it a lot, no complaints. The router/lift combo is a hell of a deal.
Re: your cheap shaper idea - can it. The main advantage of a shaper over a router is the ability to swing big cutters and take off a lot of wood in one pass. The dynamic loads involved are tremendous. You need lots of cast iron, HP and precision plus reversability - none of which are cheap. That's why I don't have a shaper yet.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
One of the wood magazines recently did a shaper vs router table comparison, using the small grizzley vs a router table with a 3HP router, both cost about $400. Their conclusion was that unless you were planning on doing more than 20 raised panel doors, stick with the router table for more versatility and cheaper bits. They cautioned against using 1/2 router bits in the shaper since the speed was much lower. Also, comparable shaper bits were much more expensive since they use 3 cutters, so unless you planned to really wear them out or resharpen hem a number of times, router bits were cheaper. But if you were crossing over into production or planning a really big job, such as a whole house remodel with identical raised panel doors throughout, then go with the power and heft of a shaper.
Well, I'm going to bite the bullet, roll up the change and buy the saw. Thanks for all the great imput, but it's what I'v come to expect from this site! The table saw survey was particularly helpful and reassuring. Thanks again.
Brian
The Princess was much more accomodating than I expected. Perhaps she thinks the saw will keep me from doing things in the house for awhile after Boingo arrives. Also, she figures if I have a saw in the garage, it will speed up the insulation removal project and get the DC and air filtration system out of the office.
I'm a little shocked that I haven't brought it home yet. Maybe they will offer to bring it over and set it up. Must have something to do with the fact there is no place to put it in the garage. ;-) My first project will be to make some storm windows that match the house. Hopefully having the saw and router so close will be like people have their saws and jointers together.
I bought a 40 tooth WW II at the show since it was on sale. Would it be wise to get a cheaper blade for routine stuff, and if so, more/less teeth, thin or regular kerf, tooth bevel?
"I bought a 40 tooth WW II at the show since it was on sale. Would it be wise to get a cheaper blade for routine stuff, and if so, more/less teeth, thin or regular kerf, tooth bevel?"
Wood, when I first bought my WW II I changed it out everytime I felt the operation required the use of a different blade. I was sooo afraid that I would hurt the blade somehow. After the newness wore off I stopped changing it and now I litterally use if for everything. It is considered a combination blade so what the heck use it as its intended. Mine is still very sharp and still cuts clean rips and crosscuts. Down the road I'll probably by another one so I can take this one off and get it sharpened when it does finally need it. Mine is the thin kerf 40 tooth which has proven to be quite a good choice for me.
amonzon.com
JET 708715DXK JTAS-10X Xacta Saw with 50" Fence, Router Lift, Upgrade Fence and Bosch Router
List Price: $2,049.00 Price: $1,699.99
So I just got off the phone with Barbo Machinery.
Jet 10" cabinet saw, 50" microadjust fence, table, router lift, Bosch 1617 router, list price $1699 - 170 (10%) woodshow discount, $1530.
Mention this to 7.5 month pregnant wife, silence. ;-)
Tomorrow will be an interesting day, though I was told the discount will last past the show, so maybe if I buy her a CRV she'll let me get the saw.
Bob
what woodworking show are you talking about? Is it the annual woodworking show that travels throughout the US?
Yeah, it was a local distributors offer at the woodworking show that moves around the country. Western Tool had the same offer, and a delta rep had a unisaw with biesemeyer fence and a mobile stand for $1550. The delta said "Made in the USA" on it, but I thought they were Taiwanese as well. Anyone have the scoop on that. The powermatic 66 with 52" fence was $2099 -10% and included the powermatic tenoning jig. After subtracting the cost of the router lift and the router, I basically ended up with a 3HP jet for about $1150. Given that I was considering the older model hybrid saw last year for $1000, this isn't a bad deal.
As for the fence, it is supposed to be the new micro-adjust x-acta. As the saw is sitting in a box in the back room at Barbo, I can't say for sure. The whole deal is on the jet web page.
Delta Unisaws are still made in the U.S. at their Tupelo, Mississippi facility.
Am I wrong, or does this package deal come with the old Xacta Fence? My new Jet's fence is clearly marked "Xacta Fence II". Don't see that on the picture in the ad in FWW.
Jeff
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled