An Extensive Test of the JET Mitre Saw
After years of selling the JET JSMS-10 Mitre saw, we have decided to assess its advantages and disadvantages and discover why is this particular type so popular among carpenters and woodworking enthusiasts, who prefer quality and reasonable price.
Of course, the current market is full of similar saws, so we just had to verify how good the „JET“ really is and whether or not it can withstand cutting of spruce square logs, beech boards or laminate flooring.
Great design and equipment
Firstly, we’ll take a look at the design and materials used. The saw has a robust appearance. You notice it on the first glimpse into the workshop. It comes in traditional colours of the JET brand ie. white with red elements and black accessories. Swivel head with an electric motor is enclosed and the saw blade space is half protected with a firm cover with a logo and a half transparent swinging cover, which automatically opens when the saw moves for the cut, protecting your fingers and the space of cut.
The table rotates in both directions, it is made of precision-machined cast aluminium and its fine finish will attract your attention immediately. The scale of the fence is also made of aluminium. The angle scales are firmly riveted to the body of the table. The movement of the saw is secured by two robust guiding rods. All of these parts give off the appearance of great machining and high quality of the material. It’s only a shame that the controls (red ones which go well with the saw) are made only of hard plastic. It’s true that softened plastics, that you’re familiar with from car interiors, would suit the machine better. On the other hand, they are more than satisfactory in this mitre saw’s price category.
The handle is made of soft plastic, which is very pleasant on touch. The securing lever and the switch are ergonomically placed close to the handle, within the reach of your fingers, so when you’re sawing the whole day, your fingers won’t tire that easily.
The saw features a handy laser, marking the incision. You can even cut boards and logs as long as 1030 mm, thanks to the table extensions on the right as well as on the left. The saw is supplied with an end stop and a fastening clamp. Both can be used on both sides of the table. The kit also includes a saw blade fitted with carbide teeth, which is however intended for universal use. For cuts of better quality, we recommend obtaining more suitable saw blades.
Practical Features
So what are the practical features of the JET Mitre saw? The engine power is 1500 W, which is more than respectable in its class. The motor is fitted with an electromagnetic brake that stops the blade within 10 seconds, as required by the CE Standards. The JET JSMS-10 is a mitre saw with traverse movement, allowing to cut very wide pieces (up to 305 mm). The depth of cut is impressive 90 mm, because of the 254 mm saw blade. The saw performs regular or mitre cuts. According to its technical documentation, the rotary table can be turned left and right from 0 to 45°, during our tests, however, we have found out it turns to 47°. The saw is fitted with preset stops at 0°- 15°-22.5°-30°-45°. Moving the saw into the cut very simple, just release the control handle, set the required angle and lock it in. It weighs only 18 kg and is lockable for transport, therefore it can function well in a workshop but can be also transported to construction sites or other jobs.
What can you cut?
The cutting options do not necessarily depend on the machine but also on the equipped saw blade. If you properly fit the JET mitre saw with a suitable CMT saw blade, you can cut practically anything. Spruce square logs, planks, oak or beech boards, mouldings, decking boards, terrace boards, either plastic or natural hardwood ones, even aluminium profiles, ferrous materials, acrylic glass, plastics or artificial stone such as Corian, Montello, Staron, Avonite and others.
Practical tests
We have tested the saw by cutting spruce square logs, beech and oak planks, baseboards and laminate flooring.The condition for effective cutting of these materials is not only a good mitre saw but also a well-chosen blade. The universal regular carbide blade is part of the delivery, it is not anything special but it does its job, it is especially suitable for customers, who want to use the saw immediately, without investing in high-quality saw blades.
However, we wanted to test out the saw at its best and therefore we fitted it with a CMT 250 mm series 285 saw blade. The results were perfectly okay, the saw went through a 9 x 9 cm spruce log like a knife through butter. The cuts of beech and oak were also clean and free of burrs. But, is it possible to further increase the quality of cut? Can it be completely clean and free of burrs? The solution could be the special CMT Xtreme saw blade for profile rails, fitted with more teeth and a shape adapted to optimal conditions for mitre cutting.
After replacing the blade with this special one, we performed cuts on the same material. The cut was now absolutely perfect without any burrs. Not only the section moulding, but also the beech and oak cuts were perfect. We haven’t expected such precise results. With the JET mitre saw fitted with an Xtreme CMT blade, you can cut without restrictions and always achieve the best results.
The last performed test was the cutting of laminate flooring. We have chosen the CMT 222 series saw blade which proves to be an excellent choice for, cutting laminate flooring as well as other material brilliantly, it went through all sorts of engineering plastics, mouldings, acrylic, vinyl and plywood. And what were the results? The cut was again clean, smooth and with no signs of ripple, it was just the way it should be. Professionally cut.
Our verdict?
The JET JSMS-10 is a mitre saw, which at the first sight does not impress with its parameters or huge depth of cut, sophisticated guiding or quick blade exchange mechanism. Although on the JET mitre saw, the latter can be achieved within a minute, using a ratchet and a Phillips screwdriver. But let’s be honest here, when exactly will you need an extra class saw, with various widgets and gadgets, which will ultimately cost you thousands of dollars? The JET mitre saw is just a regular, reliable mitre saw for ordinary work, featuring excellent control and perfect quality cut. You will surely not be disappointed and if you even fit it with a CMT saw blade for fine work, you will be pleasantly surprised at the excellent results you can achieve for such a great price.
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