Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser

Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
by JET

Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
List Price: $424.00
Our Price: $349.99
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Product Details

Manufacturer: JET
Model: 708580
Product features:
  • 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
Accessories:

Description of Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser

Mortising has never been easier or more accurate. Model JBM-5 JET Benchtop Mortiser features include: powerful 1/2 HP TEFC 1725 RPM motor for solid performance and trouble free operation, heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction for durability and stability, three jaw drill chuck with extended chuck key for ease of positive grip on mortise drill bit. Rack and pinion head raising and lowering allows for positive drilling control. Two hinged side doors to allow for complete drill chuck access. Removable safety toggle switch for prevention of accidental turn on 1/2" max. mortise chisel capacity. 4-3/4" head stroke. Includes free 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" chisel and bit sets.
For you furniture makers out there who find yourselves spending more time than you'd like setting up the mortising attachment on your drill press (then taking it off, again), JET's affordable benchtop mortiser ought to be a welcome addition to your woodshop's tool collection. Designed to take up to 1/2-inch chisel bits, JET's benchtop mortiser runs off a 1/2-horsepower induction motor. At only 44 pounds, the tool is sturdy but also easily maneuvered, plus it reverses on its base to allow for mortising in long stock. The 4-3/4-inch head stroke is great. Bits are easy to change. Just flip open the steel door on either side (these doors are made of flimsy plastic on some of the competition's models) to gain easy access to the chuck. And, thanks to the 4-inch chuck key, there's little chance of banging or scraping your knuckles while switching bits (a small touch, perhaps, but a nice one). We also like the quick-setting depth stop on this tool--as well as the removable toggle switch that keeps less-experienced (or child-size) hands out of harm's way. The mortiser's feed handle adjusts, too, so you can choose the most comfortable position for each application--another nice touch. Set on a heavy-duty cast-iron base with four predrilled mounting holes, this dependable machine allows any woodworker, from the beginner to the expert, to create fantastic-looking mortise-and-tenon joints. --Justin Paul

Ideal for professional furniture makers as well as for home woodworkers, Jet's affordable 708580 JBM-5 benchtop mortiser features a 1/2-horsepower induction motor and is designed to take up to 1/2-inch chisel bits. The dependable rack-and-pinion head adjustment gives you accurate drilling control, while its heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction provides durability and stability for years of use.

Jet 708580
Dependable mortiser for home woodworkers or professional furniture makers (view larger).
At a Glance
708580 JBM-5
Bench Mortiser
At a Glance:
  • Powerful 1/2-horsepower motor for consistently smooth performance
  • Heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction

  • Long, multiposition mortising handle

  • Dependable rack-and-pinion head adjustment

  • Quick-adjust depth stop for uniform mortise depths

At a Glance

Features

At only 44 pounds, the Jet 708580 is sturdy but also easily maneuvered, plus it reverses on its base to allow for mortising in long stock. The 4-3/4-inch head stroke is great. Bits are easy to change. Just flip open the steel door on either side (other models on the market often have doors made of flimsy plastic) to gain easy access to the chuck. And, thanks to the 4-inch chuck key, there's little chance of banging or scraping your knuckles while switching bits.

The mortiser's feed handle adjusts so you can choose the most comfortable position for each application, and it also offers a quick-setting depth stop and a removable toggle switch that prevents accidental or unauthorized use of the tool. It's set on a heavy-duty cast-iron base with four predrilled mounting holes. Other features include a three-jaw drill chuck that keeps a positive grip on mortising bits for chisels up to 3/4-inch in size, two hinged side doors for easy access to the chuck, and a reversible column for mortising larger stock. It's backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

5-year warranty

Specifications

  • Motor: 1/2 horsepower
  • Spindle speed: 1725 rpm
  • Chuck size: 3/8-inch
  • Chisel shank capacity: 5/8- and 3/4-inch
  • Head stroke: 4-3/4 inches
  • Chisel center to fence: 3-1/2 inches
  • Fence size: 1-9/16 x 13-3/4 inches
  • Base size: 7-5/8 x 12-3/16 inches
  • Dimensions: 14.4 inches by 22.8 inches by 11 inches

What's in the Box

One Jet 708580 JBM-5 benchtop mortiser, one hydraulic cylinder, one handle, 3/4- and 5/8-inch chisel bushings, one spindle extension, one chuck key, one table, hold down, fence assembly, screws, and owner's manual.

Jet 708580
Combines 1/2-horsepower motor for solid performance and a heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction.

Tools and Hardware Reviews of Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser

Customer Review: Jet JBM5 an excellent investment
Summary: 5 Stars

A project that called for 120+ mortise & tenon joints convinced me to look past the drill press and chisel method for cutting mortises, and look into a mortising machine.

I bought my JBM-5 in 2005, and have used it on many furniture projects. It was on sale at Menards for around $225.00.

I picked the machine up at my local Menard's ((...)), and within 15 minutes after I arrived at my workshop, had it assembled, set up, and had cut my first mortise.

Assembly was snap, and unlike the experience reported by some other reviewers, everything was in perfect condition inside the carton.

Overall I am satisfied with the investment, but there is one shortcoming you should be aware of.

The fence is clunky and hard to fine-tune. The fence is attached to a heavy hex rod that extends at a 90-degree angle back through the machine's base. The hex rod is locked down with a thumb screw. There is no micro-adjust (like Delta's rack-and-pinion) control, and sliding the hex rod back and forth to position the cut is tricky ... it takes considerable trial-and-error to get the bit centered over the workpiece.

Also, the table is pretty small, so you either need shop-built extenders or an after-market table (like the one from Rockler) for larger workpieces. I wound up going with the Rockler table and fence/

On the plus side, the only hand tool you need when setting up and operating this machine is a screw-driver (to tighten the chisel). All other adjustments are done with thumb screws and levers (or the supplied chuck key).

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