Review of Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
 
Manufacturer: JET
Average Customer Rating:
 
Customer Reviews (72)
List Price: $421.00
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Product Description
Jet 708580 JBM-5 offers great performance with many good features, constructed from cast iron and steel it guarantees durability, motor is TEFC with ½ hp and 3/8” chuck capacity allowing for good performance and reliability, 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” bits come included. Positive grip on mortise drill bit is easy because of three jaw drill chuck and extended chick key, positive drilling control is made possible by rack and raising and lowering pinion head.

Jet 708580 JBM-5 features long multi position feed handle repositioning allowing for simpler operation and precise handle positioning, it also includes two hinged doors which allow complete drill chick access as well as removable safety toggle switch which prevents accidental activation.

Specs:
Motor: 1/2 HP, 1Ph, 115V TEFC
RPM: 1725
Chuck Capacity: 3/8"
Chisel Shank Capacity: 3/4"
Head Stroke: 4-3/4"
Chisel Center to Fence: 3-1/2"
Under Holddown: 4"
Fence Size: 1-9/16" x 12-1/2"
Base Size: 7-5/8" x 12-3/16"
Bushing Size: 5/8" & 3/4"
Weight: 44 lbs

Product Details
  • 1/2-horsepower bench mortiser; 115 volts; 1,752-rpm motor
  • 1/2-inch chisel capacity; 4-3/4-inch head stroke; rack and pinion head
  • Constructed from rugged cast-iron and steel
  • Includes mortiser, three bits, chuck key
  • 44 pounds; Backed by 2-year limited warranty

Video Reviews
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Customer Reviews
JET Benchtop Mortiser is Tops!
 
Review Date: March 24, 2000
Reviewer: Roy Brouwer, Milwaukee, WI
After having used biscuit joiners, dowels, and hand-made mortise and tenon furniture, I decided to invest in a powered benchtop mortising machine. After seeing and using various brands, I found the JET JBM-5 to be the best designed and most precisely built of the lot. The machining, design, simplicity of use are the best available for the novice-to-advanced woodworker. The hold-down bracket is designed to clamp evenly and the depth stop is easily adjusted without tools, unlike the Delta model. Another useful feature is the unit can be reversed on its base, allowing mortising of long objects--I built a clamping devise on the back of my mortising stand and can accomodate 36" long material for end-mortises or wide stock. The 2 year warranty should be more than adequate, given the history of other JET tools I've used--all running prefectly as designed.
Love that mortiser
 
Review Date: May 1, 2000
Reviewer: Gerald B. Hatley, Southern Pines, NC
I have a Delta drill press and had used a mortising attachment for several years. It is quite difficult and time consuming to set up. I had wanted a dedicated mortiser and decided to try the Jet, and boy am I pleased. Basically, right out of the box you are ready to make great mortises. I attached it to an auxilliary table as described in the manual and began work. I am building an antique pie safe and am using very hard red oak lumber. The Jet tooled through the red oak like cutting through butter. I especially like the slow speed (1750 RPM) that the drill bit turns. You are assured that you will not burn the wood. The chisels are also incredibly sharp. I found it easy to set the work fence to center the work piece and properly setting the cutting depth adjustment is a breeze. All in all, a very fine tool. Very glad I bought it!
JET Mortiser is #1
 
Review Date: January 8, 2000
Reviewer: Lisa, USA
There are many features that I really enjoy with this machine. First the fact that I do not have to also purchase the bits. The bits have worked fine for me and I have used them on some oak and hard maple. The extended chuck key provent me from busting my knuckles on the casting. Lastly I like the slower speed because the bits do not burn near as easily as on other machines I have used.
Great tool to own and use, best value
 
Review Date: August 16, 2000
Reviewer: C. Tang, Salt Lake City, UT United States
This the first Jet tool I bought and own when I started making this mission style bedframe (On cover of Jeff Miller's Beds) about 6 months ago. Because this tool, I bought two more Jet tools so far (650 dust collector and the 6" jointer). This mortiser is everything I wanted to do with mortise. I made 132 mortises for the slats on the bedframe that turned out beautifully. I am making two matching nightstands and a mission style coffee table. The three chisel bits come with the machine along worth more than $100. I looked at other mortisers before buying this one, they all require you to buy extra things to get started. The setup was easy, changing bits was a snap as well. I mounted the mortiser on a piece of thick plywood siting on top of my workbench. When I had to work on thick stocks (6-7"), I just took out the three mounting screws and rotated 180 degrees. That gives me another inch or so distance from the plywood base. It makes very clean cut. But sometimes it sounds pretty lound if the bit rubs the chisel, and you have to clean the dust fast enough to avoid burning when making deep cuts.
Great Product might need a little more power =)
 
Review Date: June 19, 2001
Reviewer: Jason A. Williams, St. Petersburg, FL United States
Ok so I have spent the last 2 days with my new jet mortiser and I Love It. After having purchased the jet MF17" drill press which came with the mortising attachment and torturing myself with setting that thing up every time I needed a square hole cut, this machine is a Dream come true. setup was done in under 10 min, i glanced at the manual once to identify only one funny metal part, the rest went together purely by intuition =) fit and finish was perfect, not a dent or scratch on it, i did manage to stall it a few times in some oak, but I was using my old 3/8" chisel that came with my drill press, (time to sharpen that thing) i put a new sharp chisel in and it was like cutting warm cheese. but everything else is perfect. I love this machine! Oh and one other thing I did take a good long look at the delta mortiser and was disappointed in the quality of that unit. The fence was crooked, the depth stop needed a hand tool to adjust, and its finish seemed mediocre, it did not come with the long neck chuck key needed to use these machines.. I have been a long time delta supporter but I think they have dropped the ball on this one.
Smooth work
 
Review Date: June 26, 2000
Reviewer: Wayne Cease,
The Jet mortiser sets-up easily. There are only a few pieces to assemble. Plug it in and turn it on. The chuck is easy to reach. It is also very quiet, the only significant noise coming from the auger bit inside the chisel if it rubs.

The chisels that came with it have been great so far. Nice clean cuts.

This and the Delta tenoning jig make building mortise and tenon joinery furniture easy. Cut your mortises with this, then use the mortise to set the size of the tenon on the tenoning jig. Very easy to reproduce the cuts for each leg/stile and rail.

It can really improve your work if you use mortises.

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Filed under: Bench Mortisers • Jet

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