Thread: Jet v Carbatec table saw

I was certain that I was going to buy the Carbatec TSCE-10L until I saw the Jet on the carbatec site. I can't seem to find it on their website but here is a link from a different business - New Carba-tec Rip & Table Saws for sale - 10 Heavy Duty Left Tilting Cabinet Saw, 44159
It looks like the Powermatic PM2000 (my dream saw), and the finish is excellent.

I'm interested to hear what others have to say about the Jet also. I believe it does not come with a blade (I know they don't in the states) so that's something to consider also.

Andy

Most saws dont come with a blade as everyone has different uses so buy the blade to suit.

Some of the cheaper ones do and the blade is comparable to the unit, cheap and sometimes nasty.

I have had my Carbatec TSC-10HB table saw ($1850) for about 4 years now, and have never regretted buying it. Does everything I need.

Trick is to have the right saw blade for the job you are doing eg., a really good rip blade with a glue edge finish, a really good triple chip blade, an 80 tooth cross cut blade, and a dado set to do the rebates and grooves etc

No stock of the Xacta in WA until mid Nov

It was a bit of a shock to read that Carbatec are now selling Jet. Here's the artical from the Carbatec site:

Oct 6, 2012
Carba-Tec welcomes the JET Machinery range to our stores

THE JET ADVANTAGE

Carba-Tec® is thrilled to become the sole distributor of JET Machinery in Australia and New Zealand. JET is a tried and tested favorite of woodworkers everywhere and a market leader in quality and innovation. We are very excited to be able to represent a brand with such a proven track record and are committed to providing quality sales and support to our customers and the JET dealer network throughout the region.

JET tools offer a full range of machinery to suit every stage of your woodworking project, including sawing, planing, woodturning, sanding and dust collection. At Carba-Tec®, we are excited to be able to bring you some of the finest offerings available in woodworking machinery.

JET has come a long way since its inception in 1958. The JET Tool brand was first introduced in Seattle. In the early stages it mainly comprised of metal working machinery. In 1988 the JET Tool business was purchased by Walter Meier, a successful Swiss-based tool and air conditioning system manufacturer.

Walter Meier saw great potential in expanding the range of products into the woodworking field. They went on to develop JET into one the most recognisable brands of machinery for professional furniture makers and woodworking enthusiasts worldwide. When you browse through any of the vast array of woodworking publications both in print and online, JET machines feature prominently. It’s a name that is rightfully trusted to deliver a high level of performance and precision to the craftsperson at all levels.

Walter Meier have been committed to sourcing machines that reach the exacting standards required to wear the JET brand. They are very “hands on” when it comes to research and development of new products and they maintain a regional presence in Asia to oversee that the quality of manufacturing and finishing in all their tools is of the highest standard. JET machines are built and tested to the finest tolerances to ensure consistent quality throughout the range.

I had the same conundrum but with the TSCE-10L, the TSC 10HB and the Jet Exacta. Carbatec have just had a sale and had the TSCE-10L (which as far as i can tell is identical to the Jet) reduced to $1999. That sealed the deal for me anyway, picked it up this morning . They might still have a couple available and even though the sale ended i believe they are trying to get rid of this model to make room the Jet Xacta. Worth a shot for the price.

I would think that paying that price for the Jet and getting a splitter instead of a proper riving knife that will rise and fall with blade height is pretty poor. The 10HB only has the splitter and is a good machine for what you pay. Had mine for 7 years now and still doing brilliant. If you really want the left tilting then the TSCE-10L would be the go.
Les

Originally Posted by lesmeyer

I would think that paying that price for the Jet and getting a splitter instead of a proper riving knife that will rise and fall with blade height is pretty poor. The 10HB only has the splitter and is a good machine for what you pay. Had mine for 7 years now and still doing brilliant. If you really want the left tilting then the TSCE-10L would be the go.
Les

There are 2 Jet Xacta models - the Xacta and the Xacta Deluxe. The Deluxe version has a rise and fall riving knife, the standard version only has a fixed splitter. The picture on the Carbatec web site appears to be the basic Xacta.

Re the Carbatec TSCE-10L: I think they are all gone. Last Monday I was told there were only 3 left in Australia - one on the floor in Melbourne and one each boxed up in Brisbane and Sydney. I got the Brisbane on sent to Melb. and picked it up this morning for $1999.


Trevor

I have a more basic Jet model saw that I bought about 10 years ago. I chose it over Carbatec and Hafco because at the time it was better quality.

It has been a good workhorse. My onlregret is that it has a fixed splitter, a barsteward of an idea!

Hi dudes/ettes,

I cant talk to these specific saws other than when I purchased recently I spent a heck of a lot of time researching.

My biggest and hugest regret is not getting the opportunity to actually see them all in person (I am in Canberra, and there are zero stores here).

I ended up purchasing another saw and admit I have a few pangs of buyers remorse. I don't have a lot of money, but if I did, I would/should have forked over as much as I could. I have found there is no difference for price/quality with TS's as anything else. I ended up spending $1300+delivery, but I wish I had taken the time to save and spend more.

Since owning it I have done a ton of work on it. It is already a Grandpas Axe. Virtually everything has been replaced. I would still have done this with any other saw I suppose, but the core functions of flatness, angle/height lock, alignment, 90' and 45' (SPOT on, not just "very close"), dust extraction and now, wheels and soooooo suuuper important that you will kick yourself if you flub it up.

Since owning my saw, my productivity has quadrupled, easily. I cannot believe I was without for so long. I "got by" but now I own one it was an illusion and foolish to think I was somehow being "better" or More Pure by using hand tools.

Spend every cent you can and my final and absolute advice is to inspect first hand what you are getting. Rip and tear, pull and imangine the processes you will use. I feel this is critical!

Ev.

Originally Posted by Evanism

Hi dudes/ettes,

I cant talk to these specific saws other than when I purchased recently I spent a heck of a lot of time researching.

My biggest and hugest regret is not getting the opportunity to actually see them all in person (I am in Canberra, and there are zero stores here).

I ended up purchasing another saw and admit I have a few pangs of buyers remorse. I don't have a lot of money, but if I did, I would/should have forked over as much as I could. I have found there is no difference for price/quality with TS's as anything else. I ended up spending $1300+delivery, but I wish I had taken the time to save and spend more.

Since owning it I have done a ton of work on it. It is already a Grandpas Axe. Virtually everything has been replaced. I would still have done this with any other saw I suppose, but the core functions of flatness, angle/height lock, alignment, 90' and 45' (SPOT on, not just "very close"), dust extraction and now, wheels and soooooo suuuper important that you will kick yourself if you flub it up.

Since owning my saw, my productivity has quadrupled, easily. I cannot believe I was without for so long. I "got by" but now I own one it was an illusion and foolish to think I was somehow being "better" or More Pure by using hand tools.

Spend every cent you can and my final and absolute advice is to inspect first hand what you are getting. Rip and tear, pull and imangine the processes you will use. I feel this is critical!

Ev.

Thanks Ev., I intend to do all of those things this weekend. Your feedback and that of countless others all paints a bigger picture of invaluable advice/experience.

Thanks fellas for all the comments. I decided to go with the carbatec TSC-10HB at $1850 delivered. Took delivery a couple of days ago and it took me best part of the afternoon setting it up. I'm hoping I get some time today after running the kids to tee ball and basketball,etc,etc, to get on and build a cross cut sled as my first job with it. So far, with the test cuts I've made, I'm pretty pleased.

At the end of the day, I spent a lot of time researching the saw and got to the stage where it was time to just get on, bite the bullet and choose one. The largely positive comments on this board for this saw convinced me which way to go.

Cheers

Good decision, I am sure you will not regret it. I like the idea of the cross cut sled first up - wish I had done that.

I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of this investment

I've also been looking at the Jet vs Carbatec debate. I emailed them this morning and got this reply...

The model you’re looking for is our upcoming model JET-JTAS10LDX Deluxe Left Tilt Table Saw. Unfortunately we’ve only just placed our first order for these in the last few weeks and they’re not expected to arrive until mid to late March. Retail price for this model will be $2799 including GST.

It's hard to know if it's worth the money over the Carbatec model. It seems like they are in a state of flux and probably not a good time to buy... a shame... I'll keep looking.