Thread: Opinions on jet JPS10TS table saw and Carba Tec CT-330x thicknesser

Hi Asheddie
Compare the CT saw model no, CTJ-650 to the jet, you might be surprised.

I can't comment on the thicknesser.

Hi,

I've had the JET JPS10TS for around 7 years- great saw - i thinkclassed as a hybrid saw but got great reviews from a few ww magazines. Has served me very well - spendon a few good blades and build a cross cut jig (I've also got the dial a dado) and it will serve you well. Never had a problem with it.

Cheers.

Its great to hear from someone that owns one, thanks BrettC. I did look at the ctj-650 but liked the look of the jet for my situation. It seems CarbaTec has cornered the JET market and no one else in South Australia stocks the brand anymore. I rang the Brisbane store to get a better time line and they think at least a month before i'll see any machines down this way.

I have gone in a totally different direction and ordered a Laguna Platinum 3hp 10" table saw. Gregory Machinery - Laguna Tablesaw - Platinum Tablesaw It will be here late this week or early next week. I'll post pictures when I get it.

Hi Asheddie,
I've recently become a fan of the work of thicknessers in preparing stock (now I just need a bandsaw for resawing and a jointer...) and, like you, I looked at the carbatec spiral head thicknesser. I ended up buying one while they were on special in May.
It took me three weeks to get time to even turn it on, so my apologies for not being able to get this info out to anyone else who may have bought one while they were on special.

I'm sure anyone who's read up on the CT-330X will have come across reports of some oil leaking. For what it's worth, I didn't get a drop out of mine and I deliberately made no attempt to clean it up before its first run to see how bad it would be (or not as it turned out).

Well, a picture and 1000 words and all that... Before:
P6020312.jpgP6020313.jpg
...you can see the mill marks all over it and it's a bit difficult to see any of the what the grain will look like.

And AFTER the very first pass through the machine:
P6080337.jpgP6080338.jpg

Maybe a comparison of the (still rough) edge and the face will help:
P6080341.jpg

Of course what photos will not show is how smooth it feels. I can assure you this face feels as smooth as I've had from professional timber mills after resawing and dressing! It is simply flawless.

I (unfortunately) have nothing to gain financially from this or any other product/vendor - I just tell it how it is for me, and this has been a very happy experience.

My advice for anyone considering this thicknesser: don't be put off by the 'pseudo' nature of the 'spiral head' on this thicknesser, don't necessarily be put off by reports of some oil (but thanks to others who've reported it as a possible issue - just give it an inspection and clean, like the manual says, if you're in any doubt) and most of all, just go buy it. You and I (hopefully) won't be sorry if it keeps spitting out great results like this.

I absolutely agree on the thickie. Ive raved about it in another thread.

Today I was doing a big bread board using two kinds of the knarliest, knottiest, turned back grain "timber" imaginable. It was cut from a stump, where the tree has been pruned many times over many years. There was not a single centimeter of straight grain.

I put it through winding it down 0.25mm at a time. I bought a Wixey for it. Go buy a Wixey (Mine was from Rockler).

It came out JUST LOVELY. No tear out. The knots didn't explode. The timber was soft in a few places and its now sitting in the sun drying some clear epoxy into the various cracks and knots.

On another point, I regularly make 3mm boards for the inside of boxes using it. Rip it down on the TS and then do big long strips on the 330x. Just lovely. A very very light once over with my Jap Kana or scraper and its done (I like the feel of cut wood over sanded wood for the insides of boxes).

The little blades are tough. They are not carbide, but mine have lasted for YONKS. They are due to be rotated soon, but this arvo I put a few meters of some of the HARDEST and TOUGHEST timber Ive ever had and it worked just fine. It was SERIOUSLY tough. My Kana is a lethal sharp death machine and it complained about how tough it was.

The 330x is GOOD.

Originally Posted by asheddie

I have gone in a totally different direction and ordered a Laguna Platinum 3hp 10" table saw. Gregory Machinery - Laguna Tablesaw - Platinum Tablesaw It will be here late this week or early next week. I'll post pictures when I get it.

Great choice! Top of my wish list but a while away from having the cash. Look forward to seeing how you go with it.

Craig.