Photo: tablesawblog.com
What We Like
- Smooth poly V-belt system
- Vibration-free cast-iron table and trunnion
- Powerful 14.5-amp 3HP motor
- Enclosed cabinet and a sealed drawer for storage
- Accurate T-square fence design
What We Don’t Like
- Costly
- Heavy
Bottom Line
If you are in the market for a professional smooth-cutting table saw for your workshop, you need to check out Jet’s 708675PK.
Introduction
Cabinet table saws are at the top of the hierarchy among the different types of table saws. They are powerful and contain numerous features that make them easier and more convenient to use.
Using the Jet 708675PK as an example, this model is not only powerful but is designed to run very smoothly. Its several has internal mechanisms that make this possible and all this is explained in the review below.
JET 708675PK Review
Photo: Jet
Performance: Smooth Running
Jet’s 708675PK is run to operate very smoothly. To achieve this, it has several features, with the most notable one being a poly V-belt drive system.
Power from the motor is transferred to the blade through precisely machined pulleys, which are connected via a super-efficient V-belt system. This setup provides smooth operation because it is resistant to slip and generates very low heat.
Other than that, the table and trunnion are made using heavy-duty cast-iron material, which makes them very stable. Though this makes the tool very heavy, it leads to vibration-free use, which translates to smoother cutting.
The handwheel is also made using cast iron and it spins a set of worm gear drives that make bevel and height adjustments accurate and very smooth.
Additionally, the locking pins at the middle of the handwheel are made using precision-machined steel to prevent creeping or moving, which would otherwise alter the bevel or height adjustment of the blade. All in all, this ensures smoothness and high accuracy even after years of use.
Design: Convenience at your Fingertips
With its large size, Jet’s 708675PK packs in a lot of convenience features. For instance, it has a quick-release mechanism for installing/removing the riving knife, which is the main component of the blade guard system.
Since it is a cabinet table saw, the unit has a built-in enclosed cabinet plus a sealed storage drawer. These enable you to keep all accessories and other additional tools within close reach.
The cabinet houses a hinged motor cover that gives quick access to the motor, belts, and pulleys for maintenance work.
You also get a push-button arbor lock that simplifies the blade-changing process because no tools are required.
Portability: Ideal for Workshop Use
Cabinet table saws are usually large and heavy, and this unit is no different. It measures 85 x 36 x 38 inches in size and weighs 510 lbs. As such, it is ideal for workshop use in a stationary position.
In my opinion, this large size has its benefits because it extends the cutting capacity. In addition to having a large tabletop, the saw has 26 x 30-inch wings that extend the cutting capacity to up to 50 inches on the blade’s right side.
Safety Features: Guaranteed Safe Use
Jet’s 708675PK is fitted with multiple safety features and these can be split into tool, user, and workpiece protection features.
For tool protection, an industrial magnetic on/off switch is built-in. This protects the motor from power fluctuations and prevents it from restarting unexpectedly if the power goes out. You have to manually press the “on” button to power it up again.
An efficient dust collection system is built-in for user protection and this incorporates the use of a large 4-inch dust collection port. This can be hooked up to a shop vac to efficiently get rid of flying debris, which keeps the dust away from your nose, eyes, and ears.
This is further boosted by a shrouded blade design, which enhances dust collection efficiency.
Another important user protection feature is the guard system. This includes a riving knife that acts as a material splitter, a transparent blade cover that protects your fingers from the spinning blade, and anti-kickback pawls that bite into the wood in case of a kickback.
For workpiece protection, the saw has a left tilting mechanism in which the blade tilts to the left side when making bevel cuts.
As such, it tilts away from the fence, which prevents the workpiece from being trapped between the blade and the fence. This results in high-quality burn-free cuts.
Accessories: Fence and Miter Gauge
This table saw comes with an exclusive commercial rip fence that is 50 inches long. The piece has a T-square design that enhances accuracy and performance while a built-in magnified cursor makes it easy to read the rip width as you make adjustments.
The fence is built using precisely-welded high-end materials while its locking mechanism is made using powdered metal parts that are very durable.
Other than that, you get a miter gauge with a fence that turns up to 60º on either side. This fence locks easily at any point for accurate cutting while a 17.75-inch long bar keeps the gauge firmly rooted into the grooves in the table’s surface.
Price: Worth its Price
Jet’s 708675PK is not exactly cheap. However, it is worth its price especially if you consider the fact that it is a cabinet table saw and has multiple features that enhance convenience, performance, and smooth running.
That said, Jet does have multiple cabinet table saws in its lineup that expand your selection options. For instance, if this model is too expensive for you, the Jet 708674PK is slightly cheaper, though it has a narrower cutting capacity and a shorter 30-inch rip fence.
There are also costlier models but these are meant for professionals with deeper pockets. These include the 708676PK, 708677PK, and 708546PK. Of course, these are more advanced than the 708674PK in terms of power and/or capacity.
Verdict
A high-performance, smooth cutting table saw that is ideal for professional workshop use.
Because of its poly V-drive belt system and vibration-free heavy-duty construction, this table saw delivers high performance while cutting very smoothly.
However, due to its high price, the tool is ideal for professional use while its bulky, heavy design means it is better to be used while placed in a stationary position in a workshop.
Specs
- Product Name: Jet 708675PK
- Product Brand: Jet
- Power: 14.5 Amps
- Max Speed: 4300 RPM
- Blade: 10-inch diameter
- Max Rip to the Right of the Blade: 50 inches
- Max Rip to the Left of the Blade: 13 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 90º: 3 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 45º: 2.13 inches
- Max Dado Width: 0.8 inches
- Product Dimensions: 85 x 36 x 38 inches
- Weight: 510 lbs.
- Warranty: 5 years
Key Features
- Smooth poly V-drive belt system.
- Vibration-free heavy-duty cast iron table and trunnion.
- Tool-less push-button arbor lock for quick blade changes.
- Industrial on/off magnetic switch for motor protection.
- Enclosed cabinet and a sealed drawer for storage.
- 11-inch extension wings on both sides for capacity expansion.
- Quick-release riving knife.
- Large 4-inch dust collection port.
- Hinged motor cover for quick access to the motor.
- Heavy-duty chrome-plated handwheel.