Jet JDP-14m worth and quality

[natas2000]

I might be able to pick up a Jet JDP-14M and it looks in good shape haven't been there to test it.
How much were they? I don't see the model online for sale, like they replaced the model.
Is Jet brand ok? I know they are imported from Taiwan, I think our one shop had one and it was fine, but I don't know for sure.

 

[RTM]

Here is a manual, which says 14m was a benchtop.

https://neurophysics.ucsd.edu/Manuals/Jet/Jet%20jdp14j_14m_17m%20manual.pdf

Specs look reasonable

I was told (back in the early 2000s) that Jet made commercial and consumer grade tools, and the commercial were very good, but the consumer grade degraded a lot over time. Don’t know what the timeline was, but I would look if the price was reasonable to you.

 

[RoninB4]

-There was an advertising push of Jet and Foxshop a few decades ago. Taiwan was/is capable of producing decent-to-good machinery but the only Jet examples (2) I saw in a machine shop were decidedly not industrial quality. That doesn't mean they won't meet the requirements for the OP, if it's a decent price and doesn't have a wobbly spindle or an overtightened chuck then it might be ok. Finding a replacement electric motor would be on my homework list. One of the failing points for machinery from Chi-Wan is the motors, which can be short lived. Chipped/cracked pulleys, made from cheap zinc die-cast (pot metal) is another item to check for replacement availability. I've never seen anything like two grades for commercial/consumer machinery but I could be wrong.

 

[Steve_P]

-There was an advertising push of Jet and Foxshop a few decades ago. Taiwan was/is capable of producing decent-to-good machinery but the only Jet examples (2) I saw in a machine shop were decidedly not industrial quality. That doesn't mean they won't meet the requirements for the OP, if it's a decent price and doesn't have a wobbly spindle or an overtightened chuck then it might be ok. Finding a replacement electric motor would be on my homework list. One of the failing points for machinery from Chi-Wan is the motors, which can be short lived. Chipped/cracked pulleys, made from cheap zinc die-cast (pot metal) is another item to check for replacement availability. I've never seen anything like two grades for commercial/consumer machinery but I could be wrong.

If it works, why would anyone immediately shop for a new motor for it? It might work for 100 years in a home garage with limited use. I have several Delta items from Taiwan that are 20+ years old and still function fine; the motor has outlasted several sealed pulley bearings on the belt sander. Most electric motor production left the US 20+ years ago; probably 99% of <1 HP single phase motors in the US weren't made here if they were purchased in the 21st century.

 

[Steve_P]

I might be able to pick up a Jet JDP-14M and it looks in good shape haven't been there to test it.
How much were they? I don't see the model online for sale, like they replaced the model.
Is Jet brand ok? I know they are imported from Taiwan, I think our one shop had one and it was fine, but I don't know for sure.

Jet is a good brand for home use IMO; I have a Jet bench grinder and it's a beast. No issues with it, excellent quality, Taiwan made, only a few years old.

What it's worth is up to you to decide. I'd look and see what a similar spec new HF, Jet, DeWalt?.... whatever brands are sold today for an idea and then base the offer on the condition vs a new one.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I don't own a Jet drill press, so there could be some details that I am missing. The picture in that manual looks exactly like the Porter-Cable drill press that I bought about 10 years ago, and also extremely similar to the Craftsman drill press that I bought about 20 years ago. Honestly, I think all of the imported drill presses come from the same factory, with different color paint and maybe a few little tweaks. I had to put new bearings in the Craftsman one, but the P-C is still all original. If you want to drill holes in stuff, these are all more than satisfactory for home use. None of my pulleys have broken, and both of my motors are original. Yes, there is a very small amount of flex if you reef on it, but it's a drill press, not a milling machine. I also have to agree with Steve_P - I also have a Jet bench grinder and it is an excellent tool. Suggest you price new drill presses, then go look at that used one! My two drill presses were reasonably priced new, but I think they have gone up A LOT since then.

 

[RoninB4]

If it works, why would anyone immediately shop for a new motor for it?

-Perhaps you didn't understand my post. I didn't say start shopping for a new motor, it was about checking for the availability of replacement parts. Doesn't make much sense to purchase something if replacement parts aren't available now does it?

It might work for 100 years in a home garage with limited use. I have several Delta items from Taiwan that are 20+ years old and still function fine; the motor has outlasted several sealed pulley bearings on the belt sander.

-The motor might last a good 20 years and it might **** out in 20 days, no way the average garage buyer could know. Anybody familiar with quality control of consumer grade machinery from Chi-Wan might have a similar opinion. I also stated that Taiwan is capable of producing low to average to good quality items, it's mostly about price point of the targeted consumer. I'm glad yours have lasted as long as they have but perhaps the quality control for Delta from 20+ years ago is different than the standards from a lower end brand (Jet) has been for the last 10+ years or so. All I stated was that Jet was not known for industrial grade machinery and was not well thought of in commercial manufacturing or professional shops. I also said that if it seems to work and was a good price then it might be an ok purchase.

Most electric motor production left the US 20+ years ago; probably 99% of <1 HP single phase motors in the US weren't made here if they were purchased in the 21st century.

-That maybe so, won't debate your contention about offshore manufacturing for electric motors. My opinion is that things aren't made the way they used to be. Design, build quality, and QC standards for a lot of things have changed greatly in the last few decades. If you haven't noticed the difference then that's fine too. You do you.

 

[jetlag]

At one time, they were made in Taiwan (and Japan) now the smaller Jet drill presses are made in China, since about 2000 or so. (Perhaps the bigger ones, too, couldn't say)
I have an older 13" Jet drill press, as far as I know its the original motor, although I've changed the start capacitor a couple of times. It has a large (3-1/8") diameter column. Most newer bench drill presses in the 14" to 15" class are on 2-7/8" columns. Bigger is generally preferred for better rigidity. Mine also has an extended spindle with an external eject slot, also not normally seen in newer small drill presses.

I'd be looking for the 12 speed version (requires the intermediate pulley) so you can use it for metal and woodworking. Table lift and T-slotted table is a plus (and minimal apprentice marks).

Hard to say what it was priced new without knowing how old it is. Probably around 600-700 if I had to guess. I'd not be paying more than 200 for a used one, and more likely 125ish. There are always drill presses for sale. I got my little Jet drill press for free, but it required a total rebuild, all new bearings, belts and a new return spring.