Amazon.com Review

JET's stated goal for this tool was to design the best spindlesander on the market, and point by point the company has succeededthrough better innovation rather than cost cutting. First, thisbenchtop model is double the weight of others on the market and has a1/2-horsepower motor versus the 1/4-horsepower motors found elsewhere.This means larger pieces won't bog down and the machine will runsmoother. Two excellent design improvements are the relocated andsealed on/off switch (to prevent dust infiltration) and shelves whereyou can insert and store your five complete spindles. All JET motorsare totally enclosed and fan-cooled to prevent overheating and dustinfiltration. This translates to longer motor life and less risk of afire hazard than open motor housing--very important in such a dustyoperation. This sander also has a sealed grease box around theoscillation mechanism for dust protection and longer life. Theprecision-ground table tilts to 45 degrees and accepts a modifiedinsert for angles. Other inserts have air holes to improve dustcollection through the 2-inch dust port. While JET shop tools are oftensold as price leaders, this one leads with quality instead, and whilethe price may be higher than other spindle sanders, you get more tool.Sometimes bells and whistles really are worth the money. --NancyGleason ... Read more

Features

• Non-skid rubber feet prevents the unit from slipping
• Table that tilts to 45 degrees for sanding angled materials
• 1/2-horsepower motor accommodate even the heaviest sanding project
• 1-inch spindle delivers scratch-free finish
• Oscillating action prolongs the sleeve life

Reviews (17)

Good Sander For The Money
I just received my Jet benchtop sander along with my Jet 16 1/2 drill press last week from Tool Crib. Overall, I think Jet's 1/2 hp sander is pretty good. Set-up was easy and the overall fit and finish was good.

My table top seemed to be mounted on a little crooked. There's no way to adjust for that I guess. I didn't have a problem getting the table square with the spidle though...the most important thing of all. I wish the table was a little bigger, too.

Overall, it's a nice package if you don't want to spend twice as much and don't wan't the heavier floor model. I was going to but the $X BOSS spindle sander, but it's only 1/4 HP and can bog down pretty quickly. The Jet is definitely worth the extra $X.

Great Sander!
I got my sander about 3 weeks ago, and I've used it a lot. It's very heavy and doesn't move around like I had feared. It does an excellent job. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it required complete disassembly and had to have the table shimmed on one side so that the spindle would be square to the table in the x plane of the table. You can adjust the angle and the zero stop from front to back, but there's no adjustment from side-to-side. You might think this is not important, but if you're sanding a tall piece (like a bandsawn box, for instance), you'll find that you're sanding more at the bottom than at the top, or vice versa. Once I took the thing apart and put the paper shims under the left side, it was dead on, and has remained so.

The other "adjustment" I had to make was to beat the cast top flat with a soft mallet. It was bowed in the middle. It didn't take a lot of "whacks" to straighten it out, and now it's flat, but again, this is one reason I didn't give this sander 5 stars. Not many people would ever check a sander meant to sand curves for flatness of the top, but when sanding tall pieces, it's important.

Once shimmed and properly beaten with a mallet, this is a fine tool! ;-)

It's not clearly stated anywhere, but the motor is an induction motor, and is very quiet. I was afraid I'd end up with a universal motor (e.g., a router motor) and have a noisy machine, but such is not the case.

If you're sanding small, flat pieces, the adjustment I spoke of will not be an issue with you.

Overall, I really like this machine. It's powerful, heavy, and quiet. I'm glad I opted to buy this machine rather than spend ...additional [money] on its big brother, the floor model.

I compared this sander to the Delta Boss, a comparable model from Bridgewood, and Ridgid. I liked this one as well as any.

Off Center
I received this sander and all went well until I put a spindel on it. It was touching on the right side,as some other reviews reported. A quick call to Jet and they told me there were some of the castings bent in shipping and upon checking what they told me to I found on the right side it was out of shape. They are shipping me both sides of the bracket that holds the table on. It look more to me like a casting problem than a bent in shipping one. I give it a three stars for this reason. If the castings solve the problem I think it will be a very reliable product. I have squared it front to back and tried a small spindel. Very quiet and seems to have plenty of power. I would have rated it higher had it not been for the bent casting. Maybe higher later,after seeing how Jet service performs.
6/03/2004 After sending the first model back,I have received a second one that was square right from the box. I still give a 4 star because of being off square on the first one. However I have to compliment the service from Amazon on getting a second one here in good time,and very good service on the return!

Who knows?
This might be a great sander, but it's hard to tell. I read all of the reviews, did my due diligence and decided on this sander despite it's relatively high price. The reason I can't tell has to do with a product defect. When I removed the sander from the box and installed the largest spindle, I noticed that the spindle wasn't centered in the table insert. It was just touching the edge on one side. When I turned the sander on, it rubbed against the insert, ruining the sanding sleeve. There is no way to adjust the table and center the spindle- other than completely removing the table and attempting to bend the support legs. I tried to shim the table, but it threw the spindle out of square with the table. I guess I could return it to Amazon- their reputation is good, but why should I have to do that for a "high-end" product. Repacking the sander, hauling it off to UPS, and waiting for the replacement is too much to think about. For $50 more I could have purchased the new Grizzly 1hp floor model with built in disc sander. My only other experience with Grizzly (A 6" jointer) was positive. I remember also another reviewer here mentioning a table problem.
Caveat Emptor- Let the buyer beware!!

It's a Sweetheart Deal
This sander kicks. I got the first one, and for some reason, the motor was off center, so it was much closer to the edge of one of the rings. It must have been an assembly problem. It's brand new, so rather than fuss with it, I called Amazon, and they promptly sent a replacement. That is why I deal with Amazon. On to the new sander.
This is a heavy, approx 80 pound, cast iron top, benchtop sander. The cast iron top is rock solid, smooth, straight, and even all the way across it's ground polished surface. I'm a critical nut, use a dial caliper to measure things, use the Incra table saw fence, which is accurate to within .002" inch. So when I talk about this Jet sander, keep that in mind.
Right out of the box, I used the Bosch digital protractor (another highly recommended item) which measures angles in tenths of a degree. (Equal to 3600 dots in a circle), and the spindle was accurate to within 7/10ths of one degree at the most extreme angle, and within 1 or 2/10ths of a degree at the others. So you could say right out of the box it was not off by even one degree. The best you can expect to get for measuring an upright metal shaft, with an expandable thick rubber tube, designed to squash out to hold a circular sleeve of sandpaper. For all intents and purposes, that it dead on. :-)
This does not pertain to the built in rule, you use to set the top to 90 degree, 45 degrees, or whatever tilting angle you may choose. After you perfectly set the top with any 90 degree square, it is advisable to loosen the setting screw, and fine adjust the pointer. See mention of this farther into the review.
It would be a lot easier to simply say, this Jet Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander is perfectly dead on, but then again, perfect is a relative term. I hope your having as much fun reading this review, as I am writing it. :=)
So what about the rest of the machine. I wouldn't bother buying anything more powerful. The 1/2HP induction motor found in the base, is a direct drive, with more than enough power to sand rock wood. I mated it on top of a Sears, very inexpensive, two shelf, red, metal, roll around cart. Lots of room for the sander, at a nice height. Also plenty of room, or extras, like the 3" optional drum and insert ring, the wrenches, and whatever amount of sanding tubes, you may need storage for. The lower shelf has even more storage. At the risk of sounding vain, the creme white Jet, with black and red accents, looks great on the matching red color stand. With the roll around wheels, it makes a lot of use for a little bit of dollars. It is Sears least expensive.
Back to the sander. You will want to take out a square, and set the table top to exactly 90 degrees to the spindle, then loosen the holding screw to the pointer, and precisely point it to the 90 degree mark on the built in rule. In doing so, and moving it to the 45 degree mark on the rule, by tilting the table, it was a dead on 45 when measuring. So the rule is accurate, once set.
The nitty gritty is that this sander is quiet, smooth, plenty of power for sanding edges, even on stacked hardwoods. It has multiple spindle sizes included. The little ones are not meant to lean on, (they go that fine) so if you are trying to remove stock quickly, choose the larger shaft sizes. I do recommend getting the optional 3" spindle, and insert ring, to maximize the smoothness and evenness of sanding larger surfaces.
I look at this as a lifetime tool. No need to buy a much more expensive floor standing model.
One note on cleaning the top. The manufacturer advises you to clean the cosmolene off of the top with kerosene, and a paper towel. Cast iron rusts just by looking at it, so they protect it for shipping. Anything like a solvent with totally eliminate any surface protection at all. In that condition, even the humidity in the air with start microscopic rusting. Not only does Jet advise you to clean it off with kerosene (which is an oil based product), they then advise you to wax the top.
If I had to be critical of the unit, I would say the one disadvantage of a benchtop unit, is that you have to limit the table top size, to prevent tipping over when using larger stock. The Jet JBOS-5 has sufficient top surface to meet my needs, but ever since I installed a large side, and outfeed table on the table saw, I am sensitive to the advantages of larger outfeed tables. One could be built and added onto the benchtop model, and give you more surface than the floor models.
All in all, with this kind of solid construction and performance, and price, this is the sweetheart deal. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty
• 3/4 HP motor provides plenty of power to both sanders for even the heaviest jobs
• Large 7-1/2" x 12" cast iron table has preset stops at 90 degrees and 45 degrees
• Operates horizontally or vertically, or anywhere in between
• Mount to a bench top or simply set on the bench for use

Features

• Comes standard with back stop for horizontal mode, miter gauge, sanding belt, sanding disc, and 4-inch dust chute
• Belt operates horizontally, vertically, or at any angle in between
• Quick-change belt tension lever
• Two ground cast-iron tilting tables with miter gauge slots
• Features 1-1/2 hp, 1-phase 115/230-volt motor, pre-wired 115-volt, produces 2,500 sfpm

Reviews (3)

Awesome!
Awesome. Jet is the way to go! High quality and great performance.

Super machine.
Great piece of equipment. Very solid piece of top-notch equipment that operates quietly and vibration free. The direct-drive unit delivers plenty of power (especially when wired for 230 V) and has no belts to slip, adjust or wear out. The built-in dust collection with a single 4" connection make hooking it up to a dust collector a simple operation.

The sander weighs over 200 lbs., so have a friend or some good lifting equipment available for unpacking and assembly.

The closed cabinet base is very nice and has a much smaller footprint compared to an open stand. If you plan to move this unit, I recommend removing the installed wheels and brakes and put it on a mobile base. The no-swivel wheels are not much use unless you plan to move the sander in straight lines only. The wheels also narrow the base support enough to make the unit slightly unstable.

Very Nice
I recently recieved this sander. The enclosed base is nice- good storage for the tables and extra discs/betls. Its very nice- lots of power, the spring loaded belt tension arm is a nice touch, although the tracking adjustment requires attention more often than other sanders I've used - it does the job though. The dust collection works pretty well, the miter gauge isn't very accurate, but for normal wood-working it should suffice. Nice machine, my second Jet tool. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Because shop disc sanders are often used for quick little jobs, they tend to not get hooked up to a dust collector with every use. This new model from JET solves that problem by including its own built-in high airflow dust collection impellor and 2-micron canister filter. Any time you turn it on--whether for 15 minutes of serious sanding or 30 seconds of cleaning up a saw cut--your dust is collected and your shop air stays clean. The machine runs on a 1-horsepower, totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor that provides ample power for any sanding task you come up with. It has a hefty 12-inch steel disc, with a manual brake for quickly slowing it down and stopping. You also get a generous cast-iron table that tilts from 90 to 45 degrees, along with a miter gauge and circle jig. All in all, this is a great sander at a great price that will provide a long life of service in your shop. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Circle Jig and Miter gauge included
• Built-in dust collection with 2-micron filter
• 1 Horsepower Totally enclosed fan-cooled motor
• Open Stand
• Convenient brake slows disc quickly

Amazon.com

JET is a favorite with woodworkers because of power, precision, and quality. Mounted atop a rock-solid closed cabinet are a 6-inch wide belt sander as well as a 9-inch disc sander, each with an angle-capable work table and miter gauge slot--two slots, actually, on the disc sander table for cross-disc work as well as straight-on sanding. Jet took the quality a notch higher on this model by putting a graphite sheet on the belt platen, keeping the temperature down and extending belt life. Tracking is sometimes tricky with belt sanders, so we're glad to see the single tracking adjustment knob and the quick-lock handle that keeps the belt from wandering. Changing belts is a snap--just release the belt tension lever. The 4-inch dust port accepts a standard dust-collection system hose and draws from both sanders, keeping the mess out of your shop and your lungs. The 3/4-horsepower motor runs the belt sander at 2258 rpm and the disc at 1725 rpm, enough to handle big jobs without bogging down. There's even space in the cabinet to store abrasives.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two-year manufacturers warranty
• Combination 6-inch belt sander and 9-inch disc sander
• Angle-capable work tables and miter-gauge slots
• Convenient 4-inch dust port serves both belt and disc
• Heavy duty one-piece steel stand

Reviews (3)

Jet 708597K Combination 9" Disc / 6" x 48" Belt Sander
Purchased in February 2004 to replace a smaller sander that wore out after 15 years. I was impressed with the quality of the machine. Tracking was easily set up and has stayed true. Plenty of power, smooth operation and the vaccuum system is helpful in dust removal. Only negative was in the foot lever to lock the wheels which bent if I engaged the lock with a foot. Worked fine if one used a hand to set the lock. This flimsey locking mechanism should be improved.

EXCELLENT VALUE
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS UNIT. IT IS MY FIRST JET PRODUCT AND I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY AND OPERATION. WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICLE AT FIRST BECAUSE OF THE SMALLER H.P. MOTOR , BUT SOON FOUND OUT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM.

Great Sander - Great Value
I bought this sander from Tool Crib a few months ago. It wasn't on the Amazon.com site at the time.

I went with the open stand because I wanted some storage below. Not sure if that's an option thru Amazon.com.

The sander was easy to set up. The fit and finish was excellent. It runs smooth, though the graphite platen behind the belt sander it somewhat noisy. It seems to have quieted a bit with more use. Bits of the graphite material get all over the place for about the first 15 mins of use but that seems to have taken care of itself.

I found the belt a little tough to adjust as to maintain a given lateral position on the rollers. This is my first belt sander so that might just be due my lack of familiararity with the machine.

The sander has ample power. I have yet to get it to bog down on pine, maple or white oak. The tables are very good. The disk table is machined cast iron and well built. The belt table seems to be pressed from heavy sheet metal but has worked fine for me. It's not flimsy at all. It was fairly easy to square everything up and set the stops. Though on the belt table, I had to leave a little extra gap between the belt and the table because when you tighten the table locks, it seems to pull the table toward the belt. Not a big deal though.

Dust collection is better than I expected. There are sliding panels in the rear of the sander to direct the collection from either the disk or belt sander area. I thought this was good idea. I have a 1-1/2 HP Delta dust collector located about 15 feet from the sander and the combination seems to do a good job at keeping the sanding dust down.

Other than the preceeding minor issues, I think this is a great sander. The value is hard to beat, if not impossible to beat. I find that the sander is very stable on the open stand. It gives me extra storage with a shop-made plywood shelf and saved me a few bucks. Though the closed stand does look nice I though function was more important.

I recommend this sander highly. ... Read more

Features

• Also features a lock-off switch with a removable key
• Features a powerful 1/3 HP motor for quick stock removal
• Large 20" x 14" worktable
• Integrated dust collection system with an outlet for vacuum pick-up
• Dual action spindle simutaneously spins and ocsillates within 5/8-inch range

Features

• 3" Spindle Assembly
• For use with JBOS-5 (708404) sander

Reviews (2)

To buy or not to buy? Is it worth it?
This 3" spindle assembly is substantially larger, and heavier than the standard spindles which comes with the Jet Benchtop Osciallating spindle sander. The advantage to having a larger drum is that it creates a flatter surface where the crown meets with the wood. That creates a smoother surface on larger pieces. The smaller spindles that come with the unit, range from the 2" on down to the smallest ones, which are great for getting into smaller corners etc, but on a large flat or gradual curved surface they can create dimples in the surface if you don't keep the material moving.
Is the 3" spindle neccessary? Not really, with a careful technique, you can accomplish it with the smaller spindles, but it definitely makes it easier. Highly recommended.

Makes Your Benchtop Sander Work Like a "Floor Model"
This kit gives you a whole different range of capability with your Jet sander. Take this kit, put your sander on a stable tool stand, and then pat yourself on the back for the money you saved by not buying a floor model sander. With this kit, your sander tackles a much broader range of tasks.

I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Features

• Features a 4-inch dust port, adjustable end table, and miter gauge and fence assembly
• 6-by-89-inch sanding belt
• Belt sands in both the horizontal and vertical positions or any angle in between
• 1-1/2 HP, 1-phase motor
• Has accurate and easy belt tensioning and track adjustments

Reviews (4)

Junk
It's true that this device is relative quiet (though any graphite-coated
platen will also be quiet), and the belt tracks well, but this sander
has a lot of serious problems.

First, This is really a 4-3/4" sander. It's impossible to set the table
height so that the top of table is even with the bottom of the belt.
In fact, the best that you can get is for the top of the table to
be a little more than an inch above the bottom of the belt, seriously
limiting the amount of belt width that's actually available for use.
Since I need 6" of belt, this one is a show stopper for me.

There are other problems as well:

The table-angle and table-height adjustments are Mickey Mouse.
The angle adjustment has no detents and the protractor scale is very
inaccurate and inconveniently located---you have to use a square every time
you set the set up the sander for 90 degrees. Since I move from
flat to 90-degrees all the time, this is a real inconvenience. Moreover,
the table is held up by two legs that are held in place by two screws,
and that's it. Lifting the table up from the lowest position is
difficult---there's no spring or adjustment screw as in most other
edge sanders, and lifting the table requires a lot of muscle.
To lower the table, you have to hold
up the 30-pound weight of the table with one hand while you release
the set screws with the other. If you slip, the table comes
crashing down to the stops. Moreover, the two legs of the table
don't move evenly, so it's difficult to adjust the table so that
its level.

Though the sander tracks well out of the box, tracking will
need to be adjusted as the belt stretches. Unlike other edge sanders,
there is no convenient knob to adjust tracking. The tracking
adjustments are complicated, and very inconvenient. One of the drums
is adjusted using a small (3mm), easy-to-loose hex wrench. The other
requires fiddling around with a hammer (loosening four screws and nudging
the motor into place). This is way too complicated for an adjustment
that you'll have to do all the time.

Equally inconvenient is the lever that releases the belt tension, which does
not move the drum enough for a new belt to slip on easily. It should
have at least another 1/2" of play when the lever is in the released
position. Consequently, belts have to be worked into place rather than
slipping on smoothly. Finally, you have to remove the dust-collection
hood (three easy-to-loose screws) to use the end stop.

In all, I was very disappointed with this sander. The features that
the other reviewers raved about (such as being able to use
the end for contour sanding) are available in every other sander
on the market, including less expensive ones. Almost all edge
sanders come with graphite-coated platens, nowadays. I'd go with
just about any of the other alternatives.

Quality Product!
First I'd like to comment on the packaging. I was pleasantly surprised how well they packaged this heavy item for shipping. Even though the carton was torn open at the corner from FEDEX, the styrofoam encased unit was not even scratched. While assembling the unit, I was extremely happy with the quality of the components. The unit runs smooth & quiet. I also like the storage area below for spare belts etc.. My only criticism, and a minor one at that, would be a couple of steps in the assembly instructions that could be clearer. This is the second Jet Product in my shop. I also own the 3 hp. cabinet saw.

Super Sander Will Take the Place of a Belt/Disk!

If you're looking for a good, general purpose sander, and you're considering spending a few hundred bucks on a combination belt/disc sander, consider this...

This Jet edge sander will give you a much higher capacity and will perform all the tasks of the belt/disc sander plus give you new capabilities.

It will surface-sand pieces up to 36" with full platen support underneath the piece (you don't have to move the piece to fully sand the entire surface). The end of this sander COULD eliminate any desire you have for an oscillating spindle sander, as well. The curved end of the belt enables shaping and smoothing of curved pieces.

And, of course, it's great on door edges.

Dust collection is better than you'd expect, too.

I use this machine a whole lot more than I ever expected to, and it is one of the best tool purchases I've made.

Great belt tracking, quick belt changes.

One warning, though... It's topheavy, so be careful! You can't push against the platen without turning the machine over! It needs to be secured to a platform or either placed against a wall.

The machine comes with an import motor, of course (a Mao Shan), but mine's been smooth and quiet, and never seems strained.

Overall, a great machine!

Jet Edge Sander
This is an excellent product, built with the quality that I have come to expect from Jet. The factory alignment was right on, in terms of right angles, and the tracking needed only minor adjustment, which is easily done. I especially like the end table, for sanding contours. Dust collection seems to work pretty well. The only defect is cosmetic; the paint is peeling from the cast iron table edges. ... Read more

Features

• 3" Table Insert for use with 3" Rubber Drum
• For use with JBOS-5 (708404) sander
• Single-nipple drop-in attachment for consistent installations
• 3-inch table insert for JET Oscillating Spindle Sander (model 708404)

Reviews (1)

A must have for the optional 3" spindle
At first impression you are tempted to buy the optional 3" spindle for the Jet Benchtop Osciallating Spindle Sander, and skip the table insert. If you are only doing larger pieces it is possible, but the insert is an important fill to the table top.
All of the spindle inserts are easy to change, since they are only a drop in device with a single nipple so they go in the same every time. Several inserts come with the unit to keep the work support right up to the edge of the spindle sanding sleeve. The 3" shouldn't be any different and that is why this insert is a good idea as well. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• Sands irregularly shaped pieces such as cabriole legs, toys, and wooden parts
• 725 RPM for super fast sanding and polishing
• 1HPTEFC, 115V motor for plenty of power and durability
• Net weight 100 pounds for easy transport
• Polishes knobs, hinges, and other metal parts in seconds for a mirror finish

Features

• Disc speed 1725
• Two work tables included
• Miter gauge
• 4-inch dust port
• Belt speed 2258

Reviews (15)

A Terrific Value!
Just took delivery of this unit and I couldn't be happier. I would agree with Jim Rapp's review whole-heartedly. The sander combo came well packaged, everything was there, set up was quick and easy (but look at the directions to avoid trial & horror in assembly of the stand).
The machine works great - no problems in the operation, other than occasional adjustment of belt tracking, but that's an easy thing to do with this unit.
I shopped around before buying and wouldn't even consider some of the other machines out there. This is my fourth Jet machine, and probably won't be my last. This thing "feels professional" and seems to be performing that way as well. Dust collection is great, the individual control for each side is a plus, and the machine certainly has the heavy construction to last a long time. The belt fence is a little on the "light" side, but you can always swap the disk table over to the belt side if you need it - one screw does it.

Another excellent JET product
Heavy duty and generally well designed. Plenty of power even for larger pieces. Assembly was fairly straightforward but not quite as easy as their 14" bandsaw--this statement based on the bandsaw's exceptionally clear owner's manual and instructions. Recommend JET use the bandsaw manual as the model for all its equipment documents.

Good design, fit, and finish on all the adjustments for the various accessories/tables. I found that nearly everything was square and within specs at initial installation. Motor is quiet but the belt does "whoosh" a lot.

Belt tracking adjustment is a mystery to me, however. After several trials, involving tiny movements to the adjusting wheel, the belt will run dead on center. Then I use it for a while, or wait until the next day, and the belt will run maybe a quarter inch off-center to one side or the other (haven't identified a pattern yet). Doesn't seem to get worse than this. After much thought I decided it's not a significant problem but it is a small irritant. I always loosen the belt tensioner when not using the machine, per the manufacturer's recommendation, and I don't yet know if this is a factor.

Other item: the sanding table for the belt seems to get out of square to the belt surface with fairly minor forces applied to the table. The brackets and tighteners that secure it aren't very large and are thus working at some mechanical disadvantage, so maybe I just need to tighten the bejasus out of them.

Overall this sander is an excellent piece of equipment and a delight to work with, when all is said and done. Would have given it 5 stars if not for the drawbacks mentioned here.

Exercise Before Opening
While I was in the tool store buying something else entirely, I noticed that they were running a special on this Jet 'benchtop' sander. The price was right, and I'm not heavy on sanding gear, so I picked it up. Well, I'm fibbing a bit. Someone loaded it into the Jeep and I drove home. Then I tried to pick it up and discovered I was in trouble. It took pyramid building ingenuity to get it out of the car, down into my basement, and up on its stand without needing a back transplant.

Seriously, if this sander weighed any more than it does it would cause a gravitational anomaly. Now heavy is good, it dampens vibration and provides stability, so I'm not really complaining. But this is a small tool with unbalanced weight distribution and no place to get a secure grip. For a wimp like me it was almost too much. Be warned, make sure you have a friend available or get strong enough so that a 150 pound dumbbell won't bother you.

Setting it up was a bit anguished as well. This is my first Jet tool, and I found the instructions a bit terse. Again, this wasn't insurmountable, since the sander isn't a complicated piece of equipment. But I had to make some guesses - all of which turned out right.

What you get when the smoke clears is a 6x48 belt sander and a 9" disc sander. It uses a 3/4 horsepower motor that is quite capable of turning hardwood into dust. It has a heavy table that can be mounted at either the disc or the belt, and a lighter weight table that is meant for only the belt sander. It also includes a miter and a pivot center for sanding round items. The chassis has a dust removal port and an open stand is included. There is also a closed stand available.

Once you get it all set up and working you are going to realize that this is a very fine tool. One that is built to last forever. Vibration is minimal. Adjustment and operation are easy and quick, thanks to the available power. If you are looking for a top notch utility sander, the Jet JSG-96 is your best bet.

Best for the money everything considered
I agree with all the other reviews, but for the money $250. (took advantage of $50 off for Fathers Day and no tax) I don't think you can find better quality, if you can, let me know. Like the metal and not plasic, execept for the disc housing. Have named it the Big Egg, the color is well, cream egg. It's a very good little unit, not perfect but negatives are small and can be worked around with out much trouble. For the home owner or hobbist, it's got to be ideal.

Quality for the money
Metal, not plastic, two worktables, best for the money I've seen so far, have to agree with all the others who point out the best features ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For people tight on shop space who already have a dust collector, this heavy-duty 12-inch disc sander for the benchtop is an ideal choice. It has a 1-horsepower, totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor. There's also a built-in impellor that aids in dust collection and a 4-inch dust port. For shops that don't already have a dust collector, or for people who can't ever seem to remember to hook it up for a quick sanding job, a dust collection filter can be purchased separately and added on. The sander has a hefty steel disc, with a manual brake for quickly slowing it down and stopping. You also get a generous cast-iron table that tilts from 90 to 45 degrees, along with a miter gauge and circle jig. All in all, this is a great sander at a great price that will provide a long life of service in your shop. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Circle Jig and Miter gauge included
• Built-in impellor and 4-inch dust port aid in dust collection
• Heavy-duty Steel disc
• 1 Horsepower Totally enclosed fan-cooled motor
• Convenient brake slows disc quickly

Reviews (2)

Jet 708433/JDS-12B 12" Benchtop Disc Sander
I had originally planned to buy the Delta 12" Disc sander until I read in their catalog that that it could not be used to sand metal. Since I will be using it for both metal and wood, I began looking around for another option. To my delight, I found the new 12" Jet. Jet's sander is far superior. Not only does it have twice as much horsepower, but the motor is TEFC. This allows me grind metal when needed without voiding my warranty or damaging the machine.

The Jet weighs in at a beefy 100 lbs and has a very large cast iron table. It also has a 4" dust port with an impeller which really pushes the dust out of the it's port and an oversized on/off paddle switch w/key.

Most importantly, it runs VERY smooth and the 1 hp motor stands up under heavy infeed pressure. Fit and finish is outstanding as is the documentation.

As far as cons are concerned, I'll echo the previous reviewer regarding the filler strip. I'll likely shim the filler later although it doesn't seem to pose any immediate issues. This being said, I wouldn't let these small issues get in the way of purchasing this sander.

All in all, I think this is the best sander in it's class and would recommend it highly.

Jet 708433/JDS-12B 12" Benchtop Disc Sander
This sander works quite well. Nice, heavy construction. Has plenty of power. After reading reviews of the 12" Delta sander, I was concerned about getting one with too much disc run-out. I needn't have worried as it runs very true. The dust collection works extremely well.

Cons: The brake lever is plastic and seems somewhat cheesy, not up to the rest of the machine. The filler strip, that fills the slot in the table for the circle sanding jig, sits below flush with the surface of the table. I find this annoying. I plan to shim it up sometime.

Overall I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. ... Read more

Features

• 4-inch dust chute
• 1 hp, 115 volt motor
• Includes 1/4 inch to 4 inch spindles , 10 each
• Push button starter button
• 39-inch table height

Reviews (5)

A great not-so-little sander!
This machine is solidly built. It runs smoothly and does a great sanding job on all your curvy things. Despite a warning that it was on backorder and that delivery wouldn't be possible for many weeks, Amazon confirmed within three days that it had shipped! With the exception of the wooden pallet on which it was shipped (the pallet had been smashed to the point of almost being useless), the sander arrived intact and ready to go. It's heavy, so plan on having some help on hand at your end to assist with the unloading. It's top is ground flat and glassy smooth and provides ample support for any of the projects I'm likely to encounter at home. It's also square to the spindle which is always a plus. There was some spillage of the 90 weight oil from its reservoir during shipping (caused by the unit having been tipped too far, no doubt), and some missing or chipped paint from the backside of the base unit where the access door butts against it. Aside from these minor defects, I'm very pleased with the condition in which it arrived, and very happy with this choice in an oscillating sander. I doubt there's abetter one out there for the $. I've given this purchase only four stars for one reason only: Amazon does not sell replacement sleeves for this sander. The sleeves are not readily available in any of the local woodworking stores and I haven't figured out yet where I'm going to get them (perhaps the folks at JET can make a recommendation?).

Real nice sander
I hate sanding and I do most by hand with various size blocks, dowels and such. The only power sander I regullary use is a 6" belt on a stand. This is good for outside curves.
I had been looking at spindel sanders for a while and keep coming back to this one, because it includes up to 4" drum and the others stoped at 2 or 3", I'd go to 8" if they had one.
Anyway, checked locally and picked one up for $[money]BR>Works really nicely, really nice large solid table and easy to change the spindels. The dust collection seems to work well too, you can watch the dust swirll around the spndel and down the shute.
used it last night on some table legs and am really pleased with the results.
Finer sanding drums would be nice...So, if you make curvy thingies and want them to look nice I recomend this big guy.

Glad I Have This One
When I bought this Oscillating Spindle Sander I was glad Jet came out with it. The quality of this sander is very high, the only hangup I have is that I have to elsewhere to get my sleves.

Spindle Sander Availability
I have been trying to buy one of these machines for over a year. In Fact I placed an order and waited and waited and my order was never filled. I have asked dealers and I have asked Reps at Shows and no one knows or will tell me why an order can't be filled. None of the wood working suppliers have any machines on the floor. I now ask the question WHY IS THERE SUCH A SHORT SUPPLY.

Dale

Gets the job done
This machine get the job done. It has the power you would expect and the cast iron table is a good size. I like all of the sizes of spindles that come with the machine and Jet has included storage along both sides of the cabinet for the spindles. This may be a small detail, but it is the attention to the small details that really impress me. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Jet's disk-and-belt-sander combination brings professional-quality sanding to any shop setting. Set on an open steel stand, both tools run off a center-balanced, fully encased induction motor that's prewired for 115-volt outlets. The 1-1/2 horsepower motor delivers plenty of power for most loads and applications. We appreciate the convenience of a single 4-inch dust chute that comes pretty close to meeting the manufacturer's claim of collecting 95% of removed material.

The 6-by-48-inch belt sander cycles at 2,500 sfpm and can be adjusted to operate both vertically and horizontally, and the cast-iron, miter-slotted table tilts to accommodate almost any sanding application. Unique thumbscrews make tracking adjustments quick, easy, and fairly consistent. The Jet sports a graphite platen to reduce heat and help increase belt life. The 12-inch disk sander removes material quickly with little vibration and, like the belt sander, features a pivoting cast-iron table with a miter slot. Both tables have positive stops at 45 and 90 degrees. We appreciate the pad-lockable start button that comes standard on all big Jet tools and prevents accidental start-up and unauthorized use. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Two-year warranty
• 1-1/2 hp, single-phase, 115/230-volt motor
• Belt operates horizontally and vertically
• 12-1/2-by-7-inch belt table
• 16-1/2-inch-by-10-inch disc table

Reviews (9)

Very Nice
I recently recieved this sander although I ordered the version with the enclosed base(a nice option- good storage underneath for belts and discs- you have to go through all the Jet listings on Amazon to find it). Its very nice- lots of power, the spring loaded belt tension arm is a nice touch, although the tracking adjustment requires attention more often than other sanders I've used - it does the job though. The dust collection works pretty well, the miter gauge isn't very accurate, but for normal wood-working it should suffice. Nice machine, my second Jet tool.

Great machine
Tried to bog it down just to test it.....it is TOUGH....it is a little hard to get used to the belt tracking mechanism, but once you master it...you have a really durable tool.

Better Replacement
This combination disk/belt sander replaced a Sears disk/belt sander. I didn't know how bad it was until I got the Jet sander set-up and running. The factory where they built the sander has a very good workforce to build a VERY GOOD product. With this in mind, I will buy another Jet product in the future.

"NOT A TOY"!
This tool is very impressive and not a toy as some others may be. If Jet keeps this type of quality in workmanship going and the costs down, the competition will be blown away. The first thing that impressed me was the weight. You will need two adults to get it out of the box and without a mobile base this unit will stay parked in the shop. The fininh was well done and it looks like a tool that will last a life time. Assembly was a snap and the instructions were well written. I could not believe how quiet this unit runs and without vibration ! I also like the idea of one dust port for both ends of the tool. I have another Jet product and I noticed if there is anything I could say in the negative sense is the 90/45 deg. stops could be better. This would not change my mind about the unit ,it's just an observation that needs a mention. I really don't think anyone would be dissapointed with the purchase of this one ! Good Job Jet!

Great sander!
I received a Jet 12" Disc/6"x48" Belt Sander for Christmas. I was impressed by the quality and surprised by the weight of the machine. I hadn't owned any Jet equipment before because I always thought it was lower quality than Delta or Powermatic. I was wrong. Everything about this sander is excellent. The finish looks great and the machine runs very smoothly. I couldn't have asked for better workmanship. I would like to mention a couple of things about setting up the sander. First, this machine is HEAVY! I had to partially dismantle the sander to make it light enough for me and my wife to put it on the stand. The sander is an awkward shape to hold onto as well as being heavy. I think two strong men could handle it okay. Second, read the instructions regarding setting the belt tracking. I didn't read the part about keeping your hand on the belt tension release lever when you start the sander for the first time, and the belt kind of got away fom me.The belt cut a slight groove in the cast iron beside it before I could stop the motor. No real harm done, but next time I'll read the instructions first. I don't think you can go wrong buying this sander. I hope to buy more Jet equipment in the future. ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty
• Get the advantage of a multi-purpose sanding and buffing machine in one
• Polish bowls, spindles, and turnings to a high luster
• 1" diameter arbors, 8" long
• Arbors have a 3" long threaded end, with 5/8" threads

Features

• Mitre Guage Includes
• 1 1/2 HP Motor, great power
• 12" Sanding Disc
• Horizontal or Vertical Operation
• Industrail Push Button Controls

Features

• Belt table tilts
• Disc table is cast-iron with a miter gauge slot
• Unique belt feature that may be used to sand internal opening pieces

Reviews (1)

not up to normal jet quality
The table for the disc is very hard to adjust since neither surface is machined you tighten one side it puts the other side out of adjustment. The front table for the belt was a little better but the adjustment is held by one bolt,and there is no index to go by so it has to be checked with a square after each belt change.No matter how much you try to tighten the bolt the leverage on the table cause it to move very easily. Also there is no dust collection on the machine at all which with a sander would be nice to have. ... Read more