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New Jet 8" bench grinder = disappointment

Durka

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Mar 20, 2014
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Howell, MI
Old thread, 2012 I believe. Big disappoint here as well.

Anyway, I purchased the same Jet Bench Grinder (JET JBG-8A) new in the box from an eBay seller. It was new, still wrapped in that thin plastic around the box. Purchased this one because I could see it was new vs. taking a chance on getting someone's return from another merchant. Paid close to full price,- $240 shipped. Zoro was selling them for that price at the time as well. The color was different being silver.

Well, it has all the same problems the original poster of this thread had with his and then some....unbelievable that this came from Jet. My impression of Jet equipment has changed unfortunately. That's too bad, I really like the look of Jet Tools and seemed to be built well.

I didn't fire it up right away, I had purchased some Camel sharpening wheels and wanted to see how well they fit onto the shaft. Had trouble right away. The left hand thread nut jammed upon removal. The shaft was cut through the center horizontally about a half inch from the end inward..through the threads. Not sure of the purpose of this(?). Regardless, it was a sloppy cut that misaligned the threads causing the nut to jam. That was the end of that, I was able to tightened it back up but removal was going to be a trick. So, -I decide to fire it up; what I should of did in the first place. The motor hummed but the wheels did not move. Figured I better return it at this point.

I called Jet first, informing them of the problem to which they agreed that it would have to be returned and replaced with another. I was also informed that I would need the merchants information (RGA #) to return it. The merchant had acquired this unit from purchasing a shippers crate/skid and didn't possess a RGA #. This was 100% legal from what I gather. Jet wouldn't budge as they could have gave him a number. I called Jet again supporting that this grinder was indeed new with mechanical defects. Also stated that this model has been problematic and that they must know this. They must, from what I've I've learned and read AFTER I purchased. I asked if they would help with the parts needed for repair. Basically told me it was no longer their problem.

Well, there's more to the drama, in the end the seller refunded me. He said to keep the item that he wouldn't be able to do anything with it. I said to just refund me $200 of the purchase price then. He refunded me $230 instead, so I have $10 into this bench grinder so far. ***** for the seller, this isn't his fault, but he took the hit for it anyway. I've had to do the same in the past...it can hurt!
__________________

Since I had little into it... -First was to attempt to get the machine running correctly.

As it stood, the motor would hum and not start when switched on. I could spin it in either direction and the motor would start. It would start in both directions and run.
Tested the condenser/capacitor (200MFD). Used a ESR/DCR cap analyzer, -showed the start up cap as marginal - good. Cross checked it with a cap meter and tested good. Made up a puller to pull the housing off the bearing, -very easy to make. Pulled the end housing off to check the centrifugal start switch and switch seat tension ring. This was out of adjustment. The points behind the seat were not in contact. To **** the juice from the cap the points have to be in contact. The start switch was sitting too far back on the shaft to work properly. A readjustment was all it needed so that the points were just touching, then it was put it back together for testing. It alive! Working as it should. Tested a few times to make sure and it was holding position. Apparently it wasn't adjusted correctly at the factory.

Now onto the shaft. No way to fix that and I could not remove the nut. Actually, I lost a few marbles during this procedure (think I needed those for cooling), -double nutted the other side and following up with a 2135 impact on the bad side. Spun it right off no problem, but it snapped the end of the shaft like a twig. The end of the shaft remained inside the nut. I realize there probably was a better way to do this..I hadn't given it enough thought I expect.
Anyway, took it apart, thinking that a machine shop may be able to make one up for me. NOPE! That's sort of impossible when the shaft and rotor are more less one piece. Called Jet, absolutely no help from them. Looked around on line and found several reasonably priced. I paid $68 shipped for a new shaft and rotor assembly.

So not counting my time of course, I have $78 into this machine

Began reassembling. I pulled the base off with hoped I could line it up better somehow. There's 4 5/16 through holes drilled through the base and motor casing. None which lined up perfectly. Jet use 3/16 x1 1/4 bolts, nuts and lock washer. The holes in the motor casing are just below the stator windings. All the bolts were slightly bent, one bent worse than the others. I thought about tapping the 5/16 motor casing holes but the holes were at a pretty good angle and I'd have to go up to 3/8x16 or 24 for a good hold. Plus, I'd have to oversize the base holes quite a bit in order to align them correctly. Yea, I trashed the idea and went with 4 9.8 metric bolts instead. Installed those w/Drylok (blue), torqued evenly. Replaced the rest of the bolts on the machine as well. Jets choice were too soft and cheap IMO. I used zinc coated #5 serrated hex flange bolts. These are great, they're easy/fast and hold with little torque. They won't mar or strip as easily, and all you need is a nut driver. Makes for quicker wheel changes.


I uploaded an album of pictures with explanations, wasn't sure how to thumbnail them at post bottom, here, -

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4074

I hope this helps someone in the future if they end up with one of these. It's as though they combined two machines to make one as NOTHING fit good...square ? haha, right!
 
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tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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Jet and Delta (and even Powermatic) have all fallen off fairly sharply since Ive been investing in tools (15yrs or so). Its no secret they have moved most if not all production overshores. Initially to Taiwan, and now mostly to China.

The quality is just not there. The game now is if you are buying Asain import stuff, its who makes the best of it. Typically its going to be Taiwan.

What I like about Grizzly is they have been proudly making, advertising, and focusing on their Taiwan made products for over three decades. Some stuff is on par with Jet/Delta, but most seems better for a similar or lower price.

A shame really, Ive been burned by numerous products from Jet and Delta.
 

Durka

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Mar 20, 2014
Messages
341
Location
Howell, MI
Thanks for that info tarbellb, it'll come in handy for sure. Yea, I hadn't heard of or noticed that there was a difference between Asian import tools in the past.

Grizzly, - I did look at those, -it was more of a quick look and didn't really give them much thought. I'll take a better look iun the future. I had done some research before siding with the Jet, - apparently not enough. I seen complaints here and there, but nothing too critical IMO, -not at the time anyway. The decision came down to either the Dayton 3/4 horse or the Jet 1 horse. I wanted a hogging machine so I was leaning heavy toward the 1 horse. The Dayton stuff I own thus far has been top notch....built very well, HD.

Well, after truing the wheels on the JET, the machine runs very smooth and well. Spins up fast.
 

tarbellb

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What a joke! Your journey to make a "new" grinder work again is just ridiculous. When you consider your hours wasted and the cost of a used machine to basically make a motor + shaft + wheels spin again is a sad story for Jet. A quick way to turn off a would be customer.

But congratulations, you fixed the mess Jet sent out and now have what seems to be a pretty good 1hp grinder.
 
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Durka

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Mar 20, 2014
Messages
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Location
Howell, MI
What a joke! Your journey to make a "new" grinder work again is just ridiculous. When you consider your hours wasted and the cost of a used machine to basically make a motor + shaft + wheels spin again is a sad story for Jet. A quick way to turn off a would be customer.

But congratulations, you fixed the mess Jet sent out and now have what seems to be a pretty good 1hp grinder.

Speak for yourself, I don't consider it ridiculous or my time wasted...not at all. Actually, I enjoyed most of it. The time tinkering is more less fun time. That nut hanging up on the shaft was stressful, so yes, there are some exceptions one could consider.

Anyway in the end I have 1hp Bench Grinder that cost me a little less than 30% of the purchase price.

What's ridiculous is Jet marketing this product and failure to stand behind. Also their reluctance to help a costumer with problems outlined above, should they arise. As the product was indeed proven to be new and with their undamaged packaging.

I posted my experience to help others who happen upon this thread as I have. With the pictures I've uploaded and explanations below each one, I'm sure this will assist someone in the future and in some way. Especially with this type of centrifugal switch and how to adjust properly.
 
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tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
Messages
5,747
Location
Oregon
Speak for yourself, I don't consider it ridiculous or my time wasted...not at all. Actually, I enjoyed most of it. The time tinkering is more less fun time. That nut hanging up on the shaft was stressful, so yes, there are some exceptions one could consider.

Anyway in the end I have 1hp Bench Grinder that cost me a little less than 30% of the purchase price.

What's ridiculous is Jet marketing this product and failure to stand behind. Also their reluctance to help a costumer with problems outlined above, should they arise. As the product was indeed proven to be new and with their undamaged packaging.

I posted my experience to help others who happen upon this thread as I have. With the pictures I've uploaded and explanations below each one, I'm sure this will assist someone in the future and in some way. Especially with this type of centrifugal switch and how to adjust properly.

OH no no no, sorry Durka if you took that the wrong way. Damn, I thought to myself after I posted it may come off the wrong way.

I dont mean wasted time as in not yielding a good effect. The opposite, you saved a grinder instead of junking it. I meant Jet made you spend your time with a repair that should have never been needed.

Im glad you posted your experience and also think it will help someone in the future. Keep saving tools, its becoming a lost art.
 

Durka

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Mar 20, 2014
Messages
341
Location
Howell, MI
Okay thanks, yea I took it wrong then. We're are currently on the same page then. Thanks again for clearing that up.
 

exmaxima1

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Jun 25, 2011
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A few years ago My buddy gave me a 10" Dayton grinder that he grabbed from a Grainger dumpster. Made in Taiwan, looked like new, and very heavy. I found a short in the rotor that I fixed, and it ran fine thereafter. Later converted one side to a 2x48 belt using a Grizzly 10" contact wheel. Lots of power. BTW, mine is also rated at 1hp, but draws 13 amps, whereas the 1hp Jet 8" only draws 8 amps!
 
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