Jet JWBS-18 Bandsaw questions

[James Hicks]

I have found a Jet JWBS bandsaw 1 1/2 hp in good condition for $450.00. I have a few questions concerning the saw. I am considering buying and upgrading the motor to at least a 2 hp. Does this saw have cast iron wheels? To owners, would you buy again? How does the saw rate in comparision to other 18 inch bandsaws? If I could get a new motor for around $300.00 I feel it may be worth it. Thoughts???

[Bruce Page]

James, search SMC for Jet JWBS-18 There is a lot of info.

$450 sounds like a steal!

[Dan Hintz]

James,

Is it the older style, square frame, or the newer triangular frame? If it's the latter, that price is definitely a steal... if it's the former, the price is decent. I can't say about your particular unit, but my JWBS-183QT does have cast iron wheels.

I'll send you a PM... I have a 2HP JET motor that was intended for a lathe upgrade until I replaced the lathe with a Robust. Depending upon where you are, shipping may not be too bad.

[ken carroll]

I always have to scratch my head when I hear of older Jet 18 frame backbones being weak. I've never experienced any issues with mine, it resaws great (ok, 10" or less but that's ok with me), it cuts tight radiuses well.

Heck, if I needed a stronger frame I have a bunch of 4x4x1/4" square tube around that I could double up the frame with but other than that one magazine test claiming that it's an issue I really don't get it.

No way I'd sell mine for $450 - go get it!

[Paul Symchych]

I have one and like it.
Like Ken, I have no complaints with mine except for replacing one of the wheel bearings.
That article slamming the square frame gets mentioned [but never quoted] a lot but I'm still waiting for someone to actually have a weakness problem with their own square framed saw. Has anyone actually read it?

I wouldn't sell mine for $450 either.

[jim sauterer]

i also have this saw.never had a problem.i know some complain about it.it has been good for me.just my 2 cents.

[James Hicks]

I have only saw pictures of the saw. The person who is selling it was vague with his answers. He was unsure if the wheels were cast iron, if it was the triangle frame. The saw doesn't have a fence and I would upgrade top at least a 2 hp motor, probably a 3hp. I've kinda talked myself out of it due to doing all of that, I'm close to the price of a new saw. I was wanting a larger saw for resawing and I feel this one would need those upgrades. Thanks for your feedback. Now to decide on which Grizzly to buy. I wish I could find a coupon to help.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

James.....a person can use a magnet to determine if the wheels are cast iron. If the guy is being vague, I'd be a little leary myself.

[Curt Harms]

James.....a person can use a magnet to determine if the wheels are cast iron. If the guy is being vague, I'd be a little leary myself.

Me too. Doesn't even know if it has a square or triangular spine?

[David Weaver]

There are two types with a square spine. The -18 and the -18x. The -18 has aluminum wheels and a stamped trunnion and the X has cast iron parts for those instead, probably as a response to demand from customers.

That said, I've never actually heard someone say they had a rigidity problem with the original model with aluminum bits in it.

I have the X model (the square support but cast iron parts) and my only complaint about it is that it has some trouble stabilizing the big carbide resaw blades.

[Keith Avery]

It has cast iron wheels and other than being a little underpowered has always worked well. It is about 11.5 years old now and I just bought new tires for it.

[ken carroll]

I think these saws went through a lot of changes. Mine has cast iron/steel wheels, but aluminum trunnions. It has different upper guides than the earlier saws too. My lateral guides are face on rather than edge on as I have also seen. I haven't seen a manual on line that accurately depicts the trunnion/wheel/guide configuration of my saw although of course I have the original manual so they do exist!

[Joseph Tarantino]

I have found a Jet JWBS bandsaw 1 1/2 hp in good condition for $450.00. I have a few questions concerning the saw. I am considering buying and upgrading the motor to at least a 2 hp. Does this saw have cast iron wheels?

yes, mine did.

To owners, would you buy again?

never. if you gave me one for free, i;d sell it and buy almost anything else. the tool and company are seriously second rate. IMHO.

How does the saw rate in comparision to other 18 inch bandsaws?

one of the saws considered a poor cousin to most quality band saws.

If I could get a new motor for around $300.00 I feel it may be worth it. Thoughts???

an absolute waste of $300 otherwise good woodworking dollars.

for $750 to $800, wait for one of the anuual/semiannual sales at woodcraft or highland WW when the rikon 10-325 is marked down to ~$800. 13" of resaw, CI wheels and table and nary a negative comment on the web regarding it or rikon. a much better deal than a used jet, of which the jwbs-18 is one of the more negatively regarded tools. but, IMHO, if that pretty white jet paint job really appeals to you, there aren't very many better ways to waste that much money.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I would suggest reading all the posts in this thread to get a more accurate picture of how a Jet bandsaw might perform.

[Jeff Monson]

I would suggest reading all the posts in this thread to get a more accurate picture of how a Jet bandsaw might perform.

I'll 2nd Kens advice, I think you will find a few happy owners of this model.