Attention to detail and fine craftsmanship push me forward
We are glad to have arranged an interview with one of our long-term customers and precise craftsmen, as well as a long-term user of JET machines, about his experience and rating of JET products. It's been almost 5 years since he visited our customer centre with equipment for his woodshop in mind.
He was finishing his studies by then and was still visiting his faculty in Brno from time to time. That's when he started to equip his woodshop. It is our pleasure to introduce you to Peter Kovács, who completed his studies of electrical engineering at VUT in Brno. However, he still has some time to practise his woodworking hobby. He mainly works with solid woods and makes everything from smaller frames to large furniture pieces, various home accessories, stairs or kitchen tops. Each and every one of his products is made with high attention to detail and fine craftsmanship.
The first JET machine he bought was a Dual Drum Sander. I still remember how we tested the sander in our customer centre for almost two hours. It was obvious that Mr Kovács knows what he looks for in a sander.
Why did I buy it? I needed a machine for calibration and deep sanding of solid wood. Since all my thickness planers, older and new ones, are fitted with a regular cutter block, not one fitted with four-sided carbide knives, I used to have problems with torn out grain, especially on woods with a complex structure (like heartwood planks and planks made of oak, ash, walnut, but also around knags and split trunks etc.). I was finally convinced with the robust design of the machine suitable for deep sanding of larger joint profiles.
I am still very pleased with the precision of the machine, it's still better than 0,1 mm in the whole width of 600 mm.
At the same time, I really appreciate the simplicity of maintenance and we also cannot forget the easy swap of the abrasive. The only thing I would want to improve is the motor power. I have to sand longer pieces sometimes so I wouldn't mind having the opportunity of installing extension tables.
Otherwise, the sander is a handy, compact, cost-effective and easy to operate machine suitable for smaller woodshops. I have had it for almost three years now and it's become an essential part of my woodworking. I was really surprised with the precision it offers. It's only a shame there isn't a model with oscillation available.
Why did I buy it?A smaller edge sander on a worktop isn't really an ideal machine for edge sanding of frames, drawers or for template production. But this sander allows for trouble-free sanding even with longer pieces.
The main advantages are the oscillation and the extension cast iron table for longer pieces.
When sanding at an angle, I simply alter the angle right on the unit without having to move my workpiece. I recommend measuring the angle after any alterations with a square, especially at 90°.
Why did I buy it? I bought this planer with smaller projects in mind. It's a small compact thicknesser with a slightly weaker motor, iron-plate table and a scale for height measuring. It's not a bad machine, but the only downside is the weak motor, that is why I set up removal for max. 0,5 mm. The machine is also suitable for transport when needed.
Why did I buy it? I needed it for templates and sanding of awkwardly shaped parts. The main advantage is definitely the oscillation that improves the finish significantly.
I had to get used to the smaller worktable but was able to extend its surface by myself.
The bobbins are supplied up to 50 mm diameter. The 75 mm bobbin has to be bought separately. Today, I wish I had gone for the larger JOSS-S model instead of the smaller one. I could definitely find more use for it now.
Why did I buy it? Due to space lack of space, I had to sell my old cast-iron double-wheeler sander of 80 cm in diameter and I needed a smaller replacement. This Disc Sander met all my requirements, cast-iron construction, compact design and ideal for everyday use. I can only recommend it.
Why did I buy it? I already had a planer thicknesser but I needed a stronger and more robust machine. I also wanted one with cast-iron tables (the previous machine had aluminium ones) and the simultaneous lift.
Based on experience, I prefer heigh-adjustable cast-iron tables, both infeed and outfeed.
Compared to the first machine, this thicknesser is a big step forward. Cast-iron tables instead of aluminium ones, not having to remove the fence when switching from planing to thicknessing but mainly, no more having to set the right angle on the fence, the weight of 230 kg instead of feeble 80 kg... The only thing I struggle with sometimes are the short extension tables, 1400 mm is not enough for planing. They would ideally be at least 2000 mm. This planer thicknesser is ideal for smaller woodshops. In my case, it perfectly complements a range of the older and larger machines I use when necessary.
Why did I buy it? I find pin joints on frames, tables or chairs inadequate and weak. For all of these jobs, I use "mortise and tenon" joints. I have partly replaced this machine with a Festool Domino XL 700 Joining Router, but it still remains useful for other jobs around my shop. I really appreciate the solid worktable that moves in two directions in dovetail tracks. It sometimes seems as if the machine would deserve more powerful motor. I definitely recommend using quality drills, those have to be kept sharp.
Why did I buy it? A smaller filter would definitely not be enough, even for such small woodshop like I have.
This filter is powerful and effective enough.
I especially appreciate its power and speed settings. The controls broke after approximately two years, but I easily replaced it with a primitive but effective four-way switch. I don't necessarily miss the timer or remote control despite the comfort.
Try out JET machines for your woodshop and projects.
Peter Kovács
kovacspeter@seznam.cz
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