Woodworker's Journal 2001-25-1, страница 72

SHOPXmmI ▼

JET's JTAS-10 cabinet saw is the kind of table saw many woodworkers dream about. But what would they say about such a machine after a year of hard work in the shop?

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The JET JTAS-10 Left-tilt Table Saw

Back in the October 1998 Woodworker's Journal,

Charles Self reviewed several brands of contractor's saws. At that time, we asked him to do a long-term evaluation of JET's JTAS-IO Table Saw. The saw lived in Charles'shop for more than a year, serving as his everyday table saw. He chose the left-tilt saw version for the evaluation, and really put it through its paces. The result of the test is the JTAS selection as one of our "Tools that Endure."

At a certain stage in a hobby woodworker's development, there is a tendency to look around at the available equipment and wonder just what a better (and more costly) tool might help that woodworker do. This is especially true with table saws. Stepping up to a cabinet saw is many a woodworker's secret desire. The JTAS-10 saw is a good example of what a cabinet saw will bring to the table when compared to the smaller and more affordable contractor saws.

Bigger, Stronger and Sturdier

lite first thing that becomes clear when it comes to a cabinet saw. Charles told us. is that they are simply more massive in every regard and "that alone might be a consideration when picking a saw."

Charles' JTAS-10 arrived in three boxes, the largest of which weighed 485 pounds! "Picture

a couple of middle-aged guys trying to lift the world." Charles said. "But we got it into my shop without too many problems." He did warn, however, that "not everybody has the room 1 have in my shop. Readers should know that this saw takes up a fair bit of room when set up, and it's not easy to move around."

From that extra mass, you get more substantial components. Three drive belts power the heavy-duty arbor. While the saw blades are the same 10" diameter you're used to. they are being driven by much higher horsepower. The saw Charles tested was a 3 HP model, but the JTAS is available with motors rated at up to 5 HP.

"I was impressed with the power of the 3 HP motor. Plowing dadoes and ripping thick hardwood stock were no problem at all," said

Shop Journal continues on page 74 ...

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February 2001 Wood wo rker's Jo u mat