Cheap JessEm 07500 MAST-R-SLIDE Sliding Table Saw Attachment Review
After reading many reviews and comparing the available options, I was anxious to get my new, JessEm Mast-R-Slide mounted up to my trusty, DeWalt DW746 (circa 2005) hybrid saw... While I was apprehensive about the necessity of lopping off the left-side of the fence rails, I dutifully followed the installation instruction where this modification is listed as Step 2, only after removing the left extension wing in the section, "PREPARING THE TABLE SAW FOR INSTALLATION OF THE MAST-R-SLIDE 7500." _Well--as Mr. Murphy would say: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong". Anyhow, looking back now, I first should have test fitted the slide's stationary, Under-Carriage Assembly for interferences or clearance of fitment before cutting. The ol' hindsight is 20/20 thing... It seems that the saw's stamped steel leg structures that support the cast-iron table top, extend beyond the top's left edge and interferes with the Sliding Table's Undercarriage preventing it from achieving the desired position of ~3/16" below the surface of the table top. Rats !! So, now I have a saw that's been "prepared" to receive a Slide to which I cannot mount one. After puzzling for an hour or so and considering my options I could, 1) further modify the saw by notching out the leg supports. 2) I could return the slide or 3) contact, JessEm to get their recommendation. Option 1) wasn't very appealing because it'd weaken the leg support and would require it be reinforced somehow. Option 2) didn't provide much relief either because I'd still have to purchase another fence system to replace the one that was previously cut and ultimately remain, sans sliding table. _So, I went with option 3).
The following day I called up JessEm's technical support and explained my dilemma, also providing a photo to illustrate. The technician I spoke with was unaware of other DeWalt owners with a similar problem but wanted to confer with the owner before making a final recommendation. Soon thereafter I received a return call where they explained that seemingly most folks with that saw must opt for the DeWalt sliding table option rather than a 3rd party solution. I expressed that the reviews for the DeWalt slider are mediocre at best and further being a happy Mast-R-Lift Excel user, I'd like to stick with the JessEm. So they offered to machine a custom aluminum spacer to fit between the table's top and the slide. Later that evening I provided to them the dimensions and bolt pattern from the top and the width required to clear the legs, which by the way is ~5/8". While the custom machine work wasn't complementary, ultimately JessEm was indeed gracious and accommodating enough to help a customer in need. In the end I have a workable solution with a custom, hard-anodized spacer for considerably less than a new fence rail system would cost.
JessEm, if you're listening out there, Thank You. I'm giving you five stars for service and product quality. However, you may want to consider changing the slide's instructions to test fit the Under Carriage Assembly before actually cutting the fence rails. A saw compatibility or incompatibility list on the JessEm web site would also be helpful.
Cheers!
