Characteristics and subtleties of the choice of Jet band saws

The correct choice of machine tool park and compliance with the manufacturer's operating conditions are the key to successful work both for small workshops for material processing and for large factories. Our article is devoted to the characteristics of popular models of Jet band saws and the intricacies of choosing the right saw for different working conditions.

Jet Equipment & Tools was founded in the American city of Seattle in the late 50s of the XX century and at the beginning of its journey was engaged in the supply of Japanese and Taiwanese industrial machines to the US market. In the late 1980s, the company was taken over by the Swiss industrial corporation Walter Meier AG. Since 2003, the brand's products ceased to be exclusive in the United States and began to be supplied to the world market, and already in 2004 the first representative office of the company appeared in Russia.

Since then, the company has sold more than 10 thousand units of its products on the Russian market, becoming a leader in the supply of band saws for small and medium-sized workshops in the Russian Federation. In 2013, after the reorganization of the Swiss concern, JPW Tool AG took over the sale of Taiwanese machine tools, which has since owned the rights to the Jet brand.

In fact, band saws are a modernized version of a hacksaw sawing machine, in which the cutting blade has a noticeably longer length and is made closed. The belt is driven by an electric motor. All machines supplied by the company are distinguished by the use of high-quality components and an excellent level of assembly quality, which ensures their reliability and compliance of the technical specifications with the real ones.

In terms of the complex of characteristics of power, cost, dimensions, productivity and equipment with auxiliary systems, all machines, including Jet band saws, it is customary to divide into the following categories:

• household (usually connected to a 220 V network);
• semi-professional;
• professional (almost always require a three-phase 380 V network).

According to the level of automation, the following types are distinguished:

• manual (all operations for assembly and disassembly of workpieces are performed by the operator);
• semi-automatic (there is at least a hydraulic cylinder that lowers the frame);
• automatic;
• equipped with CNC (the machine not only automatically mounts and dismantles workpieces, but is also capable of processing them according to preset modes with feedback).

According to the material for which the device is intended for processing, Jet band saws are divided into:

• machine tools for metal and stone;
• machines for wood and plastic;
• universal machines.

The Jet company produces about 50 types of metal cutting machines and about 15 devices designed for wood processing. The most popular models for carpentry in the Russian market are the following units.

• JWBS-10 - one of the cheapest and simplest saws with a power of 0.37 kW with a single cutting speed and a maximum width of the workpiece being cut of 25 cm at a depth of up to 10 cm.
• JBS-12 100001021M - household model with a power of 0.8 kW. The maximum web speed is 800 m / min. The presence of a gearbox allows you to adjust the processing speed (2 speed options are available).The dimensions of the working table for this model are only 40x48 cm, and the maximum width of the cut made with its help is 30 cm. It is possible to tilt the working surface at an angle of up to 45 °.

• JWBS-15-M - a semi-professional model with a power of 1.8 kW with a sawing speed of 760 m / min, which allows processing workpieces up to 35.6 cm in height.
• JWBS-18-T - a semi-professional machine powered by an industrial power grid with a power of 3.5 kW. It has two working speeds - 580 and 900 m / min, which makes it possible to use the device for processing wood species with different hardness. The maximum height of the workpieces to be processed is 40.8 cm, and their width should be no more than 45.7 cm. The presence of a T-shaped groove allows cutting out parts of complex shapes.
• JWBS-20-T - powerful (6 kW) professional unit with two processing speeds (700 and 1280 meters per minute). Blades with a width of 3 to 38 mm can be installed on the machine, the maximum cutting depth is 40.6 cm, and the width is 50.8 cm. Such a set of characteristics allows the unit to be used for sawing and dividing any species of wood in large industries.

Such installations for metal processing are the most popular among Russians.

• J-349V - a household portable (weight less than 20 kg) machine with a power of 1 kW with a smooth adjustment of the processing speed (from 30 to 80 m / min), a rotary (up to 60 °) frame and a maximum workpiece diameter of 12.5 cm.
• MBS-56CS - a household budget machine with a power of 0.65 kW with three speeds (20, 30 and 50 meters per minute), a rotary frame (from -45 ° to 60 °) and a maximum diameter of workpieces being processed - 12.5 cm.
• HBS-814GH - semi-professional model with a power of 0.75 kW, the gearbox allows you to set speeds at 34, 50 and 65 m / min. Workpiece diameter - up to 20 cm.

• MBS-1213CS - a semi-professional version with a power of 1.5 kW with a smooth speed control in the range from 40 to 80 m / min and a maximum workpiece diameter of 30 cm.
• HBS-2028DAS - professional semiautomatic machine with a power of 5.6 kW with a pressure cylinder and smooth adjustment of the web speed from 20 to 100 m / min. The diameter of the workpieces is up to 51 cm.
• MBS-1012CNC - a professional CNC machine with a power of 1.1 kW for high-precision work on metal and stone.

The most important factors when choosing a cutting blade are the hardness and toughness of the material being cut. In this regard, there are four main types of these consumables. These are the canvases:

• for metal;
• on wood;
• stone;
• for plastic.

Also, when choosing a canvas, you need to take into account the dimensions of the workpiece. The larger it is, the larger the size of the teeth should be on the used blade. When processing large metal workpieces, you also need to pay attention to the setting of the teeth: it is desirable that wide and narrow settings alternate on the blade. If it becomes necessary to cut workpieces of different sizes with one saw, you should choose the option with variable teeth and alternating setting.

Before starting work, be sure to read the operating instructions for the model of the machine you purchased and strictly adhere to all the instructions in it.

• In particular, remember to regularly check the pulleys and belts for breaks and damage. Failure to comply with this rule is fraught not only with damage to expensive equipment, but also serious injury to the operator.
• Be sure to observe the operator's clothing requirements specified in the instructions. In particular, do not use gloves or loose work clothing.
• Check the level of sharpening of the teeth periodically and replace the blade as soon as it becomes dull. Working with a blunt tool is strictly prohibited.Therefore, it is necessary to regularly lay out and sharpen the blade (in this sequence).

Finding a bluntness, remove the canvas, turn it out and hang it up. Let it hang for at least 4 hours and only then can you start laying and sharpening it.

• In cases where the supply of material to the cutting part is difficult, it is necessary to replace the wax coating of the working surface.
• If you are cutting valuable types of wood or expensive grades of metal, then to save material, it is worth reducing the cutting speed to the lowest possible. It is also necessary to reduce the speed in cases where work is performed on a metal part, the thickness of which exceeds 2.5 cm.
• Before starting any repair or maintenance work, including replacing the blade, disconnect the machine from the power supply by turning off the machine to which it is connected, or by pulling out the plug from the socket. Use only original spare parts certified by the manufacturer for repairing the device.
• Replace the power supply cables as soon as damage is found.
• Never try to lubricate parts inside the motor. To avoid smoke generation, use only water-soluble, not oil-based, cutting fluids.

In the next video, you will find a comparison of the two most popular band saws Jet JWBS-14DXPRO and Jet JWBS-14OS.