JessEm 07500 MAST-R-SLIDE Sliding Table Saw Attachment

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!

JessEm 4016 Feather Board Double

Cheap JessEm 4016 Feather Board Double Review

This JessEm product is a great improvement over standard feather board designs. Because the tee-track or miter-slot mounting is separate from the feather board, the independent feather board can accurately apply uniform pressure to the lumber. Standard feather boards often get out of alignment while setting them up or making minor adjustments, which applies too much or too little pressure to the lumber. The JessEm feather boards are easy to set-up and easier to adjust, even if you move the fence/lumber. Just keep the router table or saw fence relatively parallel to the tee-track/miter-slot and everything works perfectly.

The independent mounting and feather board arrangement also provides a wide range of set-ups and distances to the fence or lumber. More than any other feather board I've used. I have one 4016 and plan on buying more.

The 4016 comes with everything you need for two separated feather boards or one double board. It's usually costs more for two 4015's, and most router table set-ups need at least two boards, so why not buy the 4016.

I have magnetic feather boards also. They're good for quick set-ups on the table saw, but they have problems too. They sometimes move right when you least expect it and can't stack them to support tall set-ups, like the JessEm can.

One important note! This product works great with 1/4" tee-track or 3/4" miter slots, 5/16" or 8mm tee-track set-up could be difficult.