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Jessem clear cut stock guides, hold downs for table saw

6K views 45 replies 18 participants last post by  eddo 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I want a tablesaw hold down that also pulls tight to the fence, and the Jessem gets high reviews.
Question: Anyone using the Jessem? Anyone using this with a blade guard? I have a SS 3HP with the standard blade guard.
Also, other options out there in the same league? Seems to me there use to be more options.
 
#2 ·
I have the Jessem, and I'm very happy with it. The one downside, in my opinion, is that the arms are very much in the way on narrow stock. The solution is a skinny push stick, lower in height than the stock you're cutting (or it gets caught under the roller). On wider stock it's not such a big issue.
 
#4 ·
I use mine when ripping boards that are wider than 4". You have to think thru the push stick and how far out the arms extend. They are really heavy so I take the arms off when not in use and just leave the mounts on the Unifence.
 
#6 ·
A good push block will hold the material down. With a riving knife and a featherboard (which I used maybe 6X a year) that's all you need.

Bottom line: IMO it's a very expensive gadget that gets in the way of push block or stick with narrower rips.
 
#7 ·
A good push block will hold the material down. With a riving knife and a featherboard (which I used maybe 6X a year) that s all you need.

Bottom line: IMO it s a very expensive gadget that gets in the way of push block or stick with narrower rips.

- Robert
i agree most of the time they would just get in the way,id be putting them on and off constantly.
 
#8 ·
They are very helpful when ripping wide stock like plywood or glued up panels. Having the rollers hold down the material and toe into the fence slightly comes in handy when I use them. Not cheap, but they serve a very useful purpose.
 
#12 ·
Board Buddies is another option, and I've used them in the past, especially for long or wider boards. They are a bit clumsy and get in the way. The Jessems seem a lot more refined, but there is a lot of competition for space around saw blade, especially on narrow cuts. No perfect solution out there

- Sark
ive got a set of those,never use em.as you said clumsy and were always in the way.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Board Buddies is another option, and I've used them in the past, especially for long or wider boards. They are a bit clumsy and get in the way. The Jessems seem a lot more refined, but there is a lot of competition for space around saw blade, especially on narrow cuts. No perfect solution out there

- Sark

ive got a set of those,never use em.as you said clumsy and were always in the way.

- pottz
Sorry Sark, but those are the second most useless items I ever had in my workshop… I buried the most useless and never found it again…. I've written (canned) them up in my stupid ideas series... In that same write up, I tried to give 10 thumbs up and if I didn't, here it is,
Cartoon Orange Happy Gesture Smile

for the JessEm (both the router and stock guides)... the stock for the TS and the router for the RT, though I've used the router one on the TS occasionally using the Kreg track on my fence.

Mine never leave the fence and for that unique instance, I slide them out of the track (which stays on the fence).
 

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#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't understand the need I f you have a riving knife or good splitter

Am I missing something?

- Robert
The guides hold the board down to the table. Since they are toed in a bit, they also keep the board against the fence. The rollers only allow the board to move forward so you shouldn't get kickback

The riving knife or splitter keeps the board from pinching the blade. The should help eliminate kickback as well.

I will use both and a magnetic feather board if I'm ripping wide boards. They all help keep things straight, flat and against the fence.
 
#19 ·
I knew LBD hates board buddies but I like mine. I leave the mounts on the fence all the time, and just slide in the actual buddies when needed. No, I don't need them often, but they work well for wide rips. The jessem looks better, but a lot more expensive. I'm sure I would like to have some.

Years ago, I used an auxiliary fence and shop built vertical feather board for long 14 foot rips. That worked well too, but took some time to set up.
 
#21 ·
I don't understand the need I f you have a riving knife or good splitter

Am I missing something?

- Robert
A slice of bread will fill you up, but some baloney on top makes it better.
I have the JessEm stock and router guides, like them a lot, my old saw does not have riving and the guard felt more dangerous with it on than off. The fence I am using limits the height in my setup to about 4"

- GaryCN
Exactly my scenario GaryCN, though I would never operate without my Mj Splitter.

Robert, the JessEm just make a potential hospital visit less likely… for me that's worth the cost and effort… some people love hospital food and thereby deliberately keep their teeth away from tablesaw blades.
I knew LBD hates board buddies but I like mine. I leave the mounts on the fence all the time, and just slide in the actual buddies when needed. No, I don t need them often, but they work well for wide rips. The jessem looks better, but a lot more expensive. I m sure I would like to have some.

Years ago, I used an auxiliary fence and shop built vertical feather board for long 14 foot rips. That worked well too, but took some time to set up.

- Ocelot
Oce, I'd rather swim to Yankeeland and borrow your "feathers" than risk that Buddy anywhere near my TS.

Hell, a pair of shoes will seem good walking from New York to Los Angeles, however, you might find a pleasant difference if you buy a car.
 
#23 ·
Hey Sark! there's a youtube from Dave staton where he uses the jessem guides. I adapted his ideas to mine needs. You might find his video helpful. Like I said in a previous comment. I wanted mine to be removable so I could use my other jigs. Using Mag switches made that super easy and very useful.
 
#24 ·
Hey Sark! there s a youtube from Dave staton where he uses the jessem guides. I adapted his ideas to mine needs. You might find his video helpful. Like I said in a previous comment. I wanted mine to be removable so I could use my other jigs. Using Mag switches made that super easy and very useful.

- BurlyBob
Because of my Kreg t-track on my fence, I've never really had the need to remove the JessEm for other aids… at least not the JessEm track as when not in use I park them at the end of my fence,
Wood Shear Workbench Engineering Power tool

I have found that you can add even more extras using the JessEm tracks with 8mm (5/16") hardware…
Hood Stairs Wood Bumper Grille

found a ground down coach bolt worked the best.

I've seen his videos and in particular that one… I've just been too lazy to use my mag-switches and while I have great faith in them, I had been skeptical of the hold down strength on my biesy fence...

Thanks for the comment Burly, 2 votes for the mags got me thinking.
 

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