Here is my comparison of the Jet JTS250S vs Sheppach TS2500X. Firstly thanks to Dave Thomas (manager at 'Homewood' in Worthing), who patiently spent a couple of hours with me whilst I examined every last nut and bolt of the two saws. Also he was full of good advice so I'll be placing my order there next week. (As I would like to support my local woodworking shop and his price (which is cheaper than Rutlands) - by the way also includes delivery and setup - 'proper' setup that is - Jester - it's a shame this wasn't your local shop eh? 
)
Anyway onto my review..... these comments are personal opinion based!
First of all, both saws seemed pretty solid and there was no twist of flex in either machine, they were both at a suitable height for working - the 'on/off' switch on the Jet was better placed for using your knees to switch off - and it could be mounted in two places, but they both were acceptable.
Height adjustment (bringing the blade up to a maximum 82mm on both) was done with a handwheel - on the Sheppach this was mounted on the front face as you look at the saw - and on the left face on the Jet. I definitely found it easier on the Sheppach as you didn't need to reach around the side. Both mechanisms were precise and smooth.
I won't go into the left tilt vs the right tilt argument except to say that the handwheel on the Sheppach was very poor - the weight of the motor caused it to endstop as soon as the retaining bolt was slackened - the Jet didn't move unless you adjusted it. In reality I don't think either was a problem, as provided you held onto the Sheppach it was able to be just as finely adjusted as the Jet. Both mechanisms were smooth and accurate and although most people set the angle using a square the dial on the Sheppach was much easier to read and set the angle against.
A dust extraction port on the Sheppach riving knife cover was a well planned idea, as was the quick removal option, unlike the Jet on which you had to completely remove the bolt before the cover could be removed. The Sheppach won hands down for ease-of-use. So... that brings me onto the subject of riving knifes themselves. Once again the 'Doh!' points are awarded to Jet and the slap on the back goes to Sheppach. Basically, the Sheppach riving knife does not rise proud of the blade, so you can still perform trenching cuts with the knife in place. Also, the blade and riving knife can be completely withdrawn below the table surface - so you are left with a nice flat surface - in a small workshop like mine - sometimes you need the extra space when doing glue-ups. The Jet however, cannot perform trenching cuts with the knife on, as it sits proud by about 10-20mm. This could be 'removed' with a hacksaw and file - but why didn't they do this to start with? Also the Jet riving knife does not withdraw below the surface of the table - it's sits proud by 10-20mm. Get me that hacksaw someone! So no using the saw table for anything else.
Changing the blade appeared to be simpler on the Jet, as all the screws were on the top surface - it seemed to be a much more fiddly procedure on the Sheppach - however, the surface remained flat on the Sheppach right up to the gap for the blade, on the Jet however the removable plate sat slightly below the working surface - enough space for a bit of wood to flex into. Again, I'm sure someone will come up with a simple fix - a thin piece of plastic glued on might be sufficient.
I was looking at the option that had a right hand table and a sliding carriage on both saws, so I'll start on those next.
The right hand fence on both could be removed at re-attached at a 90 degree angle, for making tight cuts close to the blade. The locking lever on the Jet was much more solid than the Sheppach, but the Jet was let down by a poor 'micro-adjustment' thumbwheel - which was quite difficult to use - once set up, with some lubricant this might not be a problem. The Sheppach was easy to adjust to sub-mm accuracy. I especially like the fact that the fence continued on the Sheppach onto the (fold-downable) right hand table extension, this had an option for fine-tuning, so would remain its accuracy once properly setup. The Jet had a permanently attached right hand extension and would not be good for a small workshop where space is at a premium.
The sliding carriages appeared smooth and easy to use on both. The Jet was limited in taking large sheets or lengths as it had no facility to extend and significant distance - the Sheppach however, already had a much longer fence, and it extended a further metre. This was a simple thing, but increases the functionality of the table significantly.
To conclude then.....
I think the Sheppach gets the "best saw" award from me. It's a clever design and the little extra things significantly increases it's functionality. Microadjustments seemed to be available for everything that moved. So... once set-up it should be able to be quickly make an angled cut, and then move it back to it's original settings.
The Jet was 'almost' there, but just lacked those finishing touches, possibly because some of the money must have gone into that cast-iron. Whilst on that subject, Dave did point out that unless the saw it used daily, or protected with nasty grease/oils, or lives in a moisture-free workshop, it will start to rust. Being as I do most of my woodworking in fits and bursts, an aluminium table is actually preferable to me. Also, the sliding carriage and right hand table could be removed from the Sheppach so it's much more suited to a space limited workshop - like mine. The Jet had a huge metal bar across the front face which cannot be adjusted - so unless you have a very large workshop - it's going to cause problems.
So.... Men_at_NMA, look out for that order from Homewood next week, and make sure it's packaged up properly :shock: , I'll be keeping this forum and our friends back at Woodworking on MSN informed on how good the service and delivery is.... (OK I know it's via a distributor but nonetheless......)
Catch ya laters...
A_L
)Anyway onto my review..... these comments are personal opinion based!
First of all, both saws seemed pretty solid and there was no twist of flex in either machine, they were both at a suitable height for working - the 'on/off' switch on the Jet was better placed for using your knees to switch off - and it could be mounted in two places, but they both were acceptable.
Height adjustment (bringing the blade up to a maximum 82mm on both) was done with a handwheel - on the Sheppach this was mounted on the front face as you look at the saw - and on the left face on the Jet. I definitely found it easier on the Sheppach as you didn't need to reach around the side. Both mechanisms were precise and smooth.
I won't go into the left tilt vs the right tilt argument except to say that the handwheel on the Sheppach was very poor - the weight of the motor caused it to endstop as soon as the retaining bolt was slackened - the Jet didn't move unless you adjusted it. In reality I don't think either was a problem, as provided you held onto the Sheppach it was able to be just as finely adjusted as the Jet. Both mechanisms were smooth and accurate and although most people set the angle using a square the dial on the Sheppach was much easier to read and set the angle against.
A dust extraction port on the Sheppach riving knife cover was a well planned idea, as was the quick removal option, unlike the Jet on which you had to completely remove the bolt before the cover could be removed. The Sheppach won hands down for ease-of-use. So... that brings me onto the subject of riving knifes themselves. Once again the 'Doh!' points are awarded to Jet and the slap on the back goes to Sheppach. Basically, the Sheppach riving knife does not rise proud of the blade, so you can still perform trenching cuts with the knife in place. Also, the blade and riving knife can be completely withdrawn below the table surface - so you are left with a nice flat surface - in a small workshop like mine - sometimes you need the extra space when doing glue-ups. The Jet however, cannot perform trenching cuts with the knife on, as it sits proud by about 10-20mm. This could be 'removed' with a hacksaw and file - but why didn't they do this to start with? Also the Jet riving knife does not withdraw below the surface of the table - it's sits proud by 10-20mm. Get me that hacksaw someone! So no using the saw table for anything else.
Changing the blade appeared to be simpler on the Jet, as all the screws were on the top surface - it seemed to be a much more fiddly procedure on the Sheppach - however, the surface remained flat on the Sheppach right up to the gap for the blade, on the Jet however the removable plate sat slightly below the working surface - enough space for a bit of wood to flex into. Again, I'm sure someone will come up with a simple fix - a thin piece of plastic glued on might be sufficient.
I was looking at the option that had a right hand table and a sliding carriage on both saws, so I'll start on those next.
The right hand fence on both could be removed at re-attached at a 90 degree angle, for making tight cuts close to the blade. The locking lever on the Jet was much more solid than the Sheppach, but the Jet was let down by a poor 'micro-adjustment' thumbwheel - which was quite difficult to use - once set up, with some lubricant this might not be a problem. The Sheppach was easy to adjust to sub-mm accuracy. I especially like the fact that the fence continued on the Sheppach onto the (fold-downable) right hand table extension, this had an option for fine-tuning, so would remain its accuracy once properly setup. The Jet had a permanently attached right hand extension and would not be good for a small workshop where space is at a premium.
The sliding carriages appeared smooth and easy to use on both. The Jet was limited in taking large sheets or lengths as it had no facility to extend and significant distance - the Sheppach however, already had a much longer fence, and it extended a further metre. This was a simple thing, but increases the functionality of the table significantly.
To conclude then.....
I think the Sheppach gets the "best saw" award from me. It's a clever design and the little extra things significantly increases it's functionality. Microadjustments seemed to be available for everything that moved. So... once set-up it should be able to be quickly make an angled cut, and then move it back to it's original settings.
The Jet was 'almost' there, but just lacked those finishing touches, possibly because some of the money must have gone into that cast-iron. Whilst on that subject, Dave did point out that unless the saw it used daily, or protected with nasty grease/oils, or lives in a moisture-free workshop, it will start to rust. Being as I do most of my woodworking in fits and bursts, an aluminium table is actually preferable to me. Also, the sliding carriage and right hand table could be removed from the Sheppach so it's much more suited to a space limited workshop - like mine. The Jet had a huge metal bar across the front face which cannot be adjusted - so unless you have a very large workshop - it's going to cause problems.
So.... Men_at_NMA, look out for that order from Homewood next week, and make sure it's packaged up properly :shock: , I'll be keeping this forum and our friends back at Woodworking on MSN informed on how good the service and delivery is.... (OK I know it's via a distributor but nonetheless......)
Catch ya laters...
A_L
