Best buys for JET tools

[jives]

Never owned a JET power tool, but JET table saws, jointers, bandsaws, planers, drill presses, and the like seem to be popping up all over the place around here on CL and FMP. I've always considered them similar to Grizzly (not owned a Grizz, either), but I am curious as to what old JETs (not Aaron Rogers) would be good finds. I'm pretty well versed on old CM, Delta/Rockwell, etc, but not JET. Any particular outstanding years/models to look for (regardless if table saw, etc), or ones to avoid? Even include new tools.

 

[Toold_up]

Jet is the same as Grizzly just better QC. Northern Tool sells a lot of Jet stuff, and online from Home Depot.

 

[tarbellb]

I think there's more misses then hits w older JET machines
Example is there 11" disc x 6" belt combo machine, the main body is mostly plastic

I would consider Grizzly as good or better then JET and w better customer/parts support

 

[RTM]

would consider Grizzly as good or better then JET and w better customer/parts support

From what I am hearing, current Grizzly products are better than the equivalent current Jet product. Older Jet had two levels, commercial and consumer. The commercial was always great, the consumer grade has faded over the last 20 years. I only have two Jet tools, a Dust Collector, and a mini Lathe, both from the era where Jet was better than Delta, so approx twenty years ago, plus a few on either one, the DC is older.

I think Delta passed Jet on the downward slide sometimes around the 80s, but that is all hearsay, I own no Delta.

 

[GeoBruin]

Jet put their name on many popular models imported from Taiwan in the 80s. I've got what I consider to be one of the gems from that era, a 10x 24 lathe. They also made a 12x36 and a 12x24. The cool thing about this model is the bed dimensions and way spacing were identical on the 10 and 12 inch models, it was just the height of the head casting that was different. As a result, it's one of the heavier 10 inch "benchtop" models available.

The only real issue with it is the ******* spindle thread. It has a metric diameter (50mm?) but 10 threads per inch, so it's impossible to find chucks or backplates to fit.

This is the same lathe owned by Yuri of Yuri's Toys (and Touch DRO) fame.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Have a 25 yr old Jet drill press. Taiwan castings and Taiwan motor. It's ok but not like heavy duty like Delta of old. Back then Taiwan imports were the main import COO for the power tools that wood working stores carried, China not on the scene yet. Top end was Powermatic - USA and General Tools - Canada. Delta was a bit of a crapshoot with US or import made and frankly the quality/price value equation was being screwed around with by their corporate folks.

Jet and Grizzly were well represented in the stores and would guess that Grizzly was perceived a bit better back then and had higher prices. Expect these tools are now hitting the classifieds as the old farts who bought them go tango uniform.

As for a planer and joiner, bought from company called Bridgewood since out of business I think. They took Taiwan castings and wired them with US produced motors and switches.

 

[Toold_up]

I had a Jet bd920n lathe. Not bad for anything small. Thats the extent of Jet tools I owned.

 

[four.cycle]

if it's the same "Jet", they started out here, selling small hydraulic bottle jacks they were importing from mainland China (PRC) in the late 70s. (TM says 1980.) We were selling their little bottle jacks way back.
Grew the company into a giant.


Jet / Jet Equipment Importers Inc., 1901 So. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402 / https://jettools.com/ / succeeded by JPW Industries Inc. / importer of tools, jacks, vises, and other equipment, mostly from mainland China (PRC) / TM 1361447 Reg Sep 24 1985 first use Feb 1980 /

 

[tyyost]

Jet was very comparable to Grizzly through the 80’s and 90’s. They had several offerings that were nearly interchangeable. Grizzly was the first to add premium features to their models, and Jet followed suit.

In the late 90-2000’s Jet seemed to build several more premium offerings, fit and finish were on a par with good Taiwan tools, and by the time the merger of Jet with Wilton and Powermatic they were offering some great pro/home shop tools.

 

[IRQVET]

I was on Grizzly looking at bench grinders. Noticed the country of manufacturer info was missing. So zoomed in on all the decals, and noticed everything listed on their website under the JET or Grizzly name is Made in China. Is everything they make from China, or just their bench grinders?

 

[Snapped-off]

I was on Grizzly looking at bench grinders. Noticed the country of manufacturer info was missing. So zoomed in on all the decals, and noticed everything listed on their website under the JET or Grizzly name is Made in China. Is everything they make from China, or just their bench grinders?

I've got the 1hp Jet grinder with pedestal stand. It's definitely stout. I don't have time to bargain hunt for a Baldor or similar.

 

[BombShelter]

Jet makes some great stuff, I don't know when they popped up but they were big in the 90's with a huge catalog that they still offer today. I always considered Grizzly a copy-cat company and more centered around mail-order (everything arrives coated with grease) outside of their handful of retail stores, I have never seen Grizzly in a store here in the Midwest and I've been to dozens of shops in several states. JET was sold alongside Powermatic and Delta, at least in wood-working stores and is also found in industrial supply houses and home-improvement stores.

I'd go Powermatic first but Delta and Jet follow closely, followed by Grizzly if cost was a concern. Right now for JET I have a floor drill press, table saw, vacuum and a ton of clamps from the old days when you could get the 50% off this time of year. All of it has been chugging along for 10+ years with no issues. 25 years ago I was machining on a small JET Mill/Drill, those are great for small jobs, especially aluminum, there's lot's of very similar brands, JET seems to have the biggest market footprint.

Nice equipment and they probably still have parts for most of it, some of the original offerings might be cheaper quality but they really found their stride in the early 90's.

 

[finn]

I have a Jet horizontal / vertical band saw from the mid 2000s, and a Wilton from probably the seventies or eighties.

very similar machines, ans seemingly better finished than the current HF offerings.

Most significant difference between the Jet and Wilton, besides the Jet has a common blade length and the Wilton was hard to source, is the obviou cost cutting on the Jet, ie no bed to catch the swarm, etc.

They both cut about the same, although I leave the Jet in the vertical position, tiny, flimsy table and all, since the Wilton table joined all the 10mm sockets in heaven long before I bought it.

 

[Steve_P]

I was on Grizzly looking at bench grinders. Noticed the country of manufacturer info was missing. So zoomed in on all the decals, and noticed everything listed on their website under the JET or Grizzly name is Made in China. Is everything they make from China, or just their bench grinders?

I bought the big 8" Jet bench grinder about a year ago- the one that won the PF test. I had it on my list many years before that test just based on amps, but... So, there was no surprise that was the winner.

Anyway, it was made in Taiwan. I bought it on Zoro with a coupon. Obviously, it could've been made in China a day after I bought mine, but in doubt, buy it on Zoro and call them prior for COO.

I will say, it's an absolute beast. Yes, the wheels aren't the best, they wear quickly; but going from a perfectly fine 30-year-old HF 3A grinder to the Jet 8A was, well.....

 

[IRQVET]

I bought the big 8" Jet bench grinder about a year ago- the one that won the PF test. I had it on my list many years before that test just based on amps, but... So, there was no surprise that was the winner.

Anyway, it was made in Taiwan. I bought it on Zoro with a coupon. Obviously, it could've been made in China a day after I bought mine, but in doubt, buy it on Zoro and call them prior for COO.

I will say, it's an absolute beast. Yes, the wheels aren't the best, they wear quickly; but going from a perfectly fine 30-year-old HF 3A grinder to the Jet 8A was, well.....

Taiwan I can do, just not China. What year is yours? Cause everything they sell currently is Made in China. If I have to go the used market route, I have no issue.

 

[Steve_P]

Taiwan I can do, just not China. What year is yours? Cause everything they sell currently is Made in China. If I have to go the used market route, I have no issue.

I bought it in December 2023 and it's marked Taiwan. But like I said, they could've moved production to China the day after it was made. Ok, I just checked, and Zoro still says Taiwan for it, but you should email Jet, and call Zoro, to confirm.

 

[RoninB4]

The only real issue with it is the ******* spindle thread. It has a metric diameter (50mm?) but 10 threads per inch, so it's impossible to find chucks or backplates to fit.

-Jet and Shopfox attempted to enter the industrial market in the 90's (that I remember) by pitching to small machine shops. The few examples I saw/used might have been just ok for home shops but definitely not up to standards for industrial use. They weren't well regarded back then, don't know about their products now. Taiwan is capable of making good machinery, whether you get that or not is probably a price-point crapshoot. I would go by what others have stated regarding their more recent experience than my older, industrial based experience is. Professional equipment is not always the practical choice for everybody.

Not to be a jerk but if the spindle nose has a "*******" thread that makes finding chucks/backplates impossible to find then why not make an adaptor/backplate yourself. If that lathe has thread cutting capability (appears to be so) then all you need is a means to accurately measure the pitch diameter (thread mic or 3 pin method with a regular micrometer. Make the male thread plug from aluminum so it cuts easy. Never cut single point threads before? A bit of reading to familiarize yourself with the Dos/Don'ts and you may find it enjoyable to cut threads in this manner. This is just a suggestion, hope it helps someone.

 

[jar944]

Taiwan I can do, just not China. What year is yours? Cause everything they sell currently is Made in China. If I have to go the used market route, I have no issue.

They (all] switch between China and Taiwan depending on the global political situation. The last move from China to Taiwan was based on tariffs at the time. Grizzly, Jet/ powermatic, Baleigh,..etc. All the importers do the same thing to stay competitive..

 

[GeoBruin]

-Jet and Shopfox attempted to enter the industrial market in the 90's (that I remember) by pitching to small machine shops. The few examples I saw/used might have been just ok for home shops but definitely not up to standards for industrial use. They weren't well regarded back then, don't know about their products now. Taiwan is capable of making good machinery, whether you get that or not is probably a price-point crapshoot. I would go by what others have stated regarding their more recent experience than my older, industrial based experience is. Professional equipment is not always the practical choice for everybody.

Not to be a jerk but if the spindle nose has a "*******" thread that makes finding chucks/backplates impossible to find then why not make an adaptor/backplate yourself. If that lathe has thread cutting capability (appears to be so) then all you need is a means to accurately measure the pitch diameter (thread mic or 3 pin method with a regular micrometer. Make the male thread plug from aluminum so it cuts easy. Never cut single point threads before? A bit of reading to familiarize yourself with the Dos/Don'ts and you may find it enjoyable to cut threads in this manner. This is just a suggestion, hope it helps someone.

I plan to make a backplate. I have peedee gauges and have the thread dimensions. I also have a couple "blank" backplates I've collected from here and there to start with. All in time.

 

[Toold_up]

You might be able to buy a unfinished backing plate for your lathe already. I've seen unfinished cast iron plates online with that weird metric thread.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I have a Jet 13R drill press from the late 1970's. It was made in Japan. A bench top model that weighs 160 lbs, Very heavy, and appears well made.

 

[bonneyman]

I've got a fine tooth, QR ratchet in 3/8" that's a JET brand. Compact head, fine action, smooth function, nice chrome. I like it!

 

[GeoBruin]

You might be able to buy a unfinished backing plate for your lathe already. I've seen unfinished cast iron plates online with that weird metric thread.

Whats weird about it is the thread pitch isn't metric. It's 10 TPI dead nuts. It's just the major diameter is a metric dimension (something like 50mm if I remember correctly). Like they started with metric bar stock but machined the nose to 10 tpi.

 

[Steve_P]

Whats weird about it is the thread pitch isn't metric. It's 10 TPI dead nuts. It's just the major diameter is a metric dimension (something like 50mm if I remember correctly). Like they started with metric bar stock but machined the nose to 10 tpi.

This **** drives me nuts. I have some posi-lock pullers and they do this nonsense. They use an inch pitch, like 14 TPI, and then make up the diameter; like .539 OD. And I'm making up numbers like they do. I actually called them and talked to someone there and they literally said, "yes, we do this so that it doesn't interchange with other manufacturers' parts. " Ok, thanks.

 

[RoninB4]

Whats weird about it is the thread pitch isn't metric. It's 10 TPI dead nuts. It's just the major diameter is a metric dimension (something like 50mm if I remember correctly). Like they started with metric bar stock but machined the nose to 10 tpi.

- That's 50mm=1.9685" so that's a 2" major diameter with the crest knocked off, the crest doesn't add strength anyway. But the 10TPI is listed in Machinery's Handbook (20th edition) as 2-10 UNS (one of the Unified National Thread groups) and isn't a thread used very often that I've seen/made. The pitch diameter listed is only a class 2A or 2B thread and all the info is readily available if needed. Congratulations on going forward and making it yourself (sound of applause).