JET EQUIPMENT & TOOLS JWBS-18 User guide

OWNER'S MANUAL

JWBS-18 Woodworking Bandsaw

JET EQUIPMENT & TOOLS, INC. P.O. BOX 1349 Phone: [phone]

A WMH Company Auburn, WA 98071-1349 Fax: [phone]
www.jettools.com e-mail [e-mail] M-708750B 12/01

This manual has been prepared for the owner and operators of a JET JWBS-18 Woodworking Bandsaw.
Its purpose, aside from machine operation, is to promote safety through the use of accepted correct
operating and maintenance procedures. Completely read the safety and maintenance instructions before
operating or servicing the machine. To obtain maximum life and efficiency from your Bandsaw, and to
aid in using the machine safely, read this manual thoroughly and follow instructions carefully.

Warranty & Service

The JET Group warrants every product it sells. If one of our tools needs service or repair, one of our
Authorized Repair Stations located throughout the United States can give you quick service.

In most cases, any one of these JET Group Repair Stations can authorize warranty repair, assist you in
obtaining parts, or perform routine maintenance and major repair on your JET, Performax or Powermatic
tools.

For the name of an Authorized Repair Station in your area, please call 1-800-274-6848.

More Information

Remember, the JET Group is consistently adding new products to the line. For complete, up-to-date
product information, check with your local JET Group distributor.

JET Group Warranty

The JET Group (including Performax and Powermatic brands) makes every effort to assure that its
products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original retail
consumer/purchaser of our products that each product be free from defects in materials and
workmanship as follow: 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON ALL PRODUCTS UNLESS SPECIFIED
OTHERWISE. This Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse,
negligence or accidents, normal wear-and-tear, repair or alterations outside our facilities, or to a lack of
maintenance.

THE JET GROUP LIMITS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES TO THE PERIOD SPECIFIED ABOVE, FROM
THE DATE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED AT RETAIL. EXCEPT AS STATED HEREIN, ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS ARE EXCLUDED. SOME STATES
DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THE IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE JET GROUP SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR
DEATH, INJURIES TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, OR FOR INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT, SPECIAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. SOME STATES
DO NOT ALLOW THE EXLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned for examination, postage
prepaid, to an Authorized Repair Station designated by our office. Proof of purchase date and an
explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection discloses a defect, we
will either repair or replace the product, or refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly
provide a repair or replacement, if you are willing to accept a refund. We will return repaired product or
replacement at JET’S expense, but if it is determined there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from
causes not within the scope of JET’S warranty, then the user must bear the cost of storing and returning
the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights; you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.

The JET Group sells through distributors only. Members of the JET Group reserve the right to effect at
any time, without prior notice, those alterations to parts, fittings, and accessory equipment which they
may deem necessary for any reason whatsoever.

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

WARNING

1. Read and understand the entire instruction manual before attempting assembly or operation.

2. This bandsaw is designed and intended for use by properly trained and experienced

personnel only. If you are not familiar with the proper and safe operation of a bandsaw, do
not use until proper training and knowledge have been obtained.

3. Always wear approved safety glasses/face shields while using this machine.

4. Make certain the machine is properly grounded.

5. Before operating the machine, remove tie, rings, watches, other jewelry, and roll up sleeves above
the elbow. Remove all loose clothing and confine long hair. Do not wear gloves.

6. Keep the floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, oil and grease.

7. Keep the machine guards in place at all times when the machine is in use. If removed for
maintenance purposes, use extreme caution and replace the guards immediately.

8. Do not over reach. Maintain a balanced stance at all times so that you do not fall or lean against
blades or other moving parts.

9. Make all machine adjustments or maintenance with the machine unplugged from the power source.

10. Use the right tool. Don’t force a tool or attachment to do a job which it was not designed for.

11. Replace warning labels if they become obscured or removed.

12. Make certain the bandsaw power switch is in the off position before connecting the machine to the
power supply.

13. Give your work undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation, and “horse-play”
are careless acts that can result in serious injury.

14. Keep visitors a safe distance from the work area.

15. Use recommended accessories; improper accessories may be hazardous.

16. Adjust and position upper and lower blade guides before starting to cut. Upper blade guide should be
adjusted to approximately 1/8” above the material to be cut.

17. Adjust blade tension and tracking before starting to cut.

18. Always keep hands and fingers away from the blade when the machine is running.

19. Stop the machine and wait for the blade to stop moving before removing scrap material from the
table.

20. Use suitable support if stock does not have a flat surface.

21. Hold material firmly against the table.

22. Saw teeth must point down toward the table.

23. Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and otherconstruction activities
contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some
examples of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead based paint

• crystallinesilica from bricks and cement andother masonryproducts, and

• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.

24. Your risk from those exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce
your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety
equipment, such as those dust masks that are specifically designed to filter out microscopic particles.

25. Do not operate tool while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any medication.

26. Failure to comply with all of these warnings may cause serious injury.

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Grounding Instructions

Caution: This tool must be grounded while in use to protect the operator from electric shock.

In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric
current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This tool is equipped with an electric cord having an
equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into a matching outlet
that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

Do not modify the plug provided. If it will not fit the outlet, have the proper outlet installed by a qualified
electrician.

Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. The
conductor, with insulation having an outer surface that is green with or without yellow stripes, is the
equipment-grounding conductor. If repair or replacement of the electric cord or plug is necessary, do not
connect the equipment-grounding conductor to a live terminal.

Check with a qualified electrician or service personnel if the grounding instructions are not completely
understood, or if in doubt as to whether the tool is properly grounded. Use only three wire extension
cords that have three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole receptacles that accept the tool’s plug.

Repair or replace a damaged or worn cord immediately.

115 Volt Operation

As received from the factory, your bandsaw is ready to run at 115 volt operation. This bandsaw, when
wired for 115 volts, is intended for use on a circuit that has an outlet and a plug that looks the one
illustratedinFigure A. A temporary adapter, which looks like the adapter as illustratedin Figure B, may
be used to connect this plug to a two-pole receptacle, as shown in Figure B if a properly grounded outlet
is not available. The temporary adapter should only be used until a properly grounded outlet can be
installed by a qualified electrician. This adapter is not applicable in Canada. The green colored rigid
ear, lug, or tab, extending from the adapter, must be connected to a permanent ground such as a
properly grounded outlet box, as shown in Figure B.

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230 Volt Operation

If 230V, single phase operation is desired, the following instructions must be followed:

1. Disconnect the machine from the power source.

2. This bandsaw is supplied with four motor leads that are connected for 115V operation, as shown in

Figure A. Reconnect these four motor leads for 230V operation, as shown in Figure B.

3. The 115V attachment plug supplied with the bandsaw must be replaced with a UL/CSA listed plug

suitable for 230V operation. Contact your local Authorized JET Service Center or qualified electrician
for proper procedures to install the plug. The bandsaw must comply with all local and national codes
after the 230V plug is installed.

4. The bandsaw with a 230V plug should only be connected to an outlet having the same configuration.

No adapter is available or should be used with the 230V plug.

Important: In all cases (115 or 230 volts), make certain the receptacle in question is properly
grounded. If you are not sure, have a registered electrician check the receptacle.

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Table of Contents

Warranty .................................................................................................................................................2

Warnings ....................................................................................................................... ..........................3

Grounding Instructions.............................................................................................................................4

115 Volt Operation...................................................................................................................................4

230 Volt Operation...................................................................................................................................5

Specifications..........................................................................................................................................6

Contents of Shipping Container ...............................................................................................................7

Unpacking and Setup...............................................................................................................................7

Tools Included for Assembly....................................................................................................................7

Tools Required for Assembly and Adjustments........................................................................................7

Upper Bearing Guide Adjustment.............................................................................................................8

Lower Bearing Guide Adjustment.............................................................................................................9

Mounting the Table..................................................................................................................................9

Adjusting 90 Degree Table Stop............................................................................................................10

Rail Assembly........................................................................................................................................10

Fence Assembly and Adjustment ..................................................................................................... ......11

Resaw Guide.........................................................................................................................................12

Miter Gauge...........................................................................................................................................12

Tilting the Table.....................................................................................................................................12

Height Scale Adjustment .......................................................................................................................12

Changing Blades ...................................................................................................................................13

Adjusting Blade Tension........................................................................................................................14

Adjusting Blade Tracking.......................................................................................................................14

Replacing Belt.......................................................................................................................................15

Adjusting Belt Tension...........................................................................................................................15

Electrical Connections ...........................................................................................................................16

Maintenance..........................................................................................................................................16

Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................................17

Part’sBreakdowns and Part’sList.....................................................................................................18-26

Wiring Diagram .....................................................................................................................................27

Specifications: JWBS-18

Stock Number..............................................................................................................................708750B

Cutting Capacity (height) ................................................................................................................10-1/4”

Cutting Capacity (width)..................................................................................................................18-3/8”

Maximum Rip Left of Blade w/Fence..............................................................................................16-1/2”

Maximum Rip Right of Blade w/Fence..............................................................................................7-5/8”

Blade Length ...................................................................................................................................... 133”

Blade Speed........................................................................................................................... 3000 SFPM

Minimum Blade Width.........................................................................................................................1/8”

Maximum Blade Width.....................................................................................................................1-1/2”

Table Size...................................................................................................................................19” x 19”

Table Tilt...............................................................................................................................45°Rto10°L

Table Height from Floor ..................................................................................................................37-1/2”

Wheel Diameter .............................................................................................................................18-5/8”

Dust Chute Diameter..............................................................................................................................4”

Overall Dimensions................................................................................................ 71" H x 39" W x 31" D

Motor...................................................................................................................................1-1/2 HP, 1Ph

......................................................................................................................... 115/230V, prewired 115V

Net Weight (approx.) .....................................................................................................................346 lbs.

Shipping Weight (approx.).............................................................................................................407 lbs.

The specifications in this manual are given as general information and are not binding. JET Equipment
and Tools reserves the right to effect, at any time and without prior notice, changes or alterations to
parts, fittings, and accessory equipment deemed necessary for any reason whatsoever.

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Contents of Shipping Container

1. Bandsaw

1. Table

1. Fence and Rail Assembly

1. Resaw Guide and Knob

1. Miter Gauge

1. Owner’s Manual

1. Warranty Card

1. Accessory Package Contains:

Hardware Bag

2. Knobs

1. Hex Wrench

1. Handle

1. 10/12mm Wrench

Fence Hardware Bag

4. Hex Cap Screws

4. Flat Washers

4. Lock WasherS

Rail Hardware Bag

9. Hex Cap Screws

9. Flat Washers

9. Lock Washers

Unpacking and Setup

1. Remove the crate and packing material

from the bandsaw except for the transport
skid on the bottom.

2. Move the saw to its permanent working

location. The site should be dry, well lit, and
have enough room to handle long stock and
the service and/or adjustment of the
machine from any side.

3. Move the bandsaw off the skid.

4. Clean all rust protected surfaces with a mild

solvent or diesel fuel and a soft cloth. Do
not use lacquer thinner, paint thinner, or
gasoline. These will damage painted
surfaces.

Tools Included for Assembly

1. 10/12mm Open End Wrench

1. Hex Wrench

Tools Required for Assembly &
Adjustments

2. 14mm Open End Wrench

1. Cross Point Screw Driver

1. Combination Square

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Assembly and Setup

1. Attach the handle (A, Fig. 1) to the

handwheel (B, Fig. 1).

2. Turn blade tension hand wheel (C, Fig. 1)

counter-clockwise to tension blade and
clockwise to loosen the tension. A gauge on
the upper wheel slide bracket (D, Fig. 1)
indicates the approximate tension according
to the width of the blade. The JWBS-18
comes with a 3/4” blade so the tension
should be set at 3/4”.

Note: It is easier to adjust the bearing guides
before mounting the table.

Upper Bearing Guide Adjustment



WARNING

Disconnect machine from the power source,

unplug before making any adjustments!

Blade teeth are sharp! Use care when

working near the saw blade.

Failure to comply may cause serious injury!

1. Blade tension must be properly adjusted

prior to bearing guide setup, see “Adjusting
Blade Tension” page 14.

2. Adjust the back-up bearing (E, Fig. 2) so

that it is 0.003” away from the back of the
blade, about the thickness of a piece of
paper. To make this adjustment loosen
thumb screw (F, Fig. 2) and slide the
bearing and bearing post into position.
Tighten thumb screw.

3. Loosen the socket head cap screw (G, Fig.

3) and slide the bearing assembly until the
bearing guides rest just behind the gullet of
the blade teeth. You may need to readjust
the back-up bearing.

4. Loosen the wing nut (H, Fig. 3) and turn the

adjusting screw (I, Fig. 3) clockwise or
counter-clockwise until the bearing is 0.003”
away from the side of the blade, about the
thickness of a piece of paper. Tighten wing
nut.

5. Adjust the opposite side bearing.

6. Check to make sure the adjustments have

not changed and the bearing guides do not
pinch the blade.

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Lower Bearing Guide Adjustment



WARNING

Disconnect machine from the power source,

unplug before making any adjustments!

Blade teeth are sharp! Use care when

working near the saw blade.

Failure to comply may cause serious injury!

1. Blade tension must be properly adjusted

prior to bearing guide setup, see “Adjusting
Blade Tension” page 14.

2. Adjust the back-up bearing (A, Fig. 4) so

that it is 0.003” away from the back of the
blade, about the thickness of a piece of
paper. To make this adjustment loosen
thumb screw (B, Fig. 4) and slide the
bearing, and bearing post into position.
Tighten thumb screw.

3. Loosen the two socket head cap screws (C,

Fig. 4) and slide the bearing assembly until
the bearing guides rest just behind the gullet
of the blade teeth. You may need to
readjust the back-up bearing. Tighten
socket head cap screws.

4. Loosen the thumb screw (D, Fig. 4) and turn

adjusting screw (E, Fig. 4) clockwise or
counter-clockwise until the bearing is 0.003”
away from the side of the blade, about the
thickness of a piece of paper.

5. Adjust the opposite side bearing.

6. Tighten thumb screw (D, Fig. 4). Check to

make sure the adjustments have not
changed and the bearing guides do not
pinch the blade.

Mounting the Table

1. With help from another person mount the

table. Remove the table insert (F, Fig. 5)
and table pin (G, Fig. 5).

2. Slide saw blade through slot in table where

the table pin was located. Rotate the table
90 degrees so that the miter slot is parallel
to the blade, and to the right of the blade
when facing the bandsaw.

3. Line up the trunnions so that the bolts feed

through the trunnion support bracket.
Secure the table with two lock knobs (H, Fig.

6). Reinstall the table insert and table pin.

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