Author Topic: The Complete "Jointmaker Pro" Review..... A Paradigm Shift in Woodworking (Read 172267 times)

Dovetail65 · « **Reply #120 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:34 PM »

In 1978 I went with my class to Washington for 6 days. It was only 350.00! This trip is only 3 days I think. I had so much fun I can't let my kids miss the chance.

My son was going to Spain in his junior year with his Spanish class, but then got a D in the class and could not go, thankfully I did not have to pay for that!

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #121 on:** February 28, 2009, 01:46 AM »

I guess it's time to shake the dust off of this tread.............

(Jointmaker Pros Begin Shipping on Monday............... see John's blog over at http://www.bridgecitytools.com/blog/)

Matthew Schenker · « **Reply #122 on:** February 28, 2009, 08:40 AM »

Roger,
Thanks for the update. It would be great if John could jump in here with an update, although we have his blog for information as well.

I'd be very interested to hear from people who buy the Jointmaker Pro -- reviews, comments, project photos.

Thanks again,
Matthew

jweatherton · « **Reply #123 on:** March 08, 2009, 10:54 PM »

FYI for everyone following this thread. I just received my "kit" Friday. It looked as if there were a thousand parts. Really only a 100 or so. Went together without problem. What Precision!!! Everything fit just right - no slop. After a few adjustments it seems to be ready to start playing.

Baldock · « **Reply #124 on:** March 10, 2009, 08:26 AM »

Mine came Monday - ditto on fit, finish & assembly. I was expecting black not blue. I think I will love it just the same....

Jim

Matthew Schenker · « **Reply #125 on:** March 10, 2009, 08:41 AM »

Good Morning,
It's exciting that this discussion continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the forum. It represents one of my proudest achievements in the entire history of the FOG.

I'm always talking about how this forum is meant to inspire connections and creativity. Well, the Jointmaker Pro effort embodies all those principles.

I've always wanted to tell the whole story behind this effort. Seems like now might be a good time. Here's how it all this came about...

When the Jointmaker Pro was first mentioned on the FOG, I was fascinated with the concept. It was clear that the tool struck a chord with members here. From that, I decided to reach out to John at Bridge City Tool Works, invite him to our forum, and encourage him to post. He was reluctant at first, for good reason: he had seen a lot of negative stuff in other forums against people who do things differently. But over the course of many e-mails, John finally saw that the FOG was in line with his principles and he did join some of our discussions.

From there, I worked with John to forge a stronger connection between the FOG and Bridge City Tool Works. I had a feeling something more was possible. From those conversations, we developed the idea of having an FOG member travel to the Bridge City Tool Works factory to see and use the Jointmaker Pro. We worked out all the details, then announced it here. Eventually, Roger was chosen as the one to do the trip. After continued offline coordination, John and I arranged all the details of the trip.

It was wonderful knowing that a talented woodworker like Roger was actually travelling to meet and work with a creative outfit like Bridge City Tool Works. Like everyone else here, I was excited to see what Roger would say.

After the trip, I continued to work offline with Roger and John on the next big part: put together a report on the trip, complete with photos and documentation. I helped Roger with all the technical details of reserving post space, posting photos, organizing materials, and publicizing the discussion. At the same time, I was working with John over at Bridge City Tool Works to help him gain positive publicity for his company through the discussion.

I've written to John and Roger offline on occasion to help keep up the interest in this subject, and to keep the update posts coming.

Right now, if you do a search for "Jointmaker Pro" on Google, the Festool Owners Group comes up as one of the top hits.

This stands as one of the most viewed discussions on the forum. It serves as a potential model for other kinds of connections.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #126 on:** March 10, 2009, 06:19 PM »

To all JMP'ers....

Here's the new video on the sliders installation for the JMP.

.....it sort of buried in the BCTW's forum.

.....here's the link to BCTW's forum.........http://www.bridgecitytools.com/discussion/

cheers,
Roger

Dovetail65 · « **Reply #127 on:** March 10, 2009, 06:22 PM »

If anyone ever gets one of these and is not happy or just decides it is not for them I would give the original purchase price for it.

I just can no way afford the current pricing. Even though I could use it for work it is to much for me right now.

John if you ever get a broken set up or return or refurb that is not perfect for a lesser price let me know. I would be glad to show it on my web site as a featured tool used to make my inlays, once I get a system down for it that is.,

Thanks for the install video Roger!

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #128 on:** March 10, 2009, 06:46 PM »

FYI to those assembling the JMP ......(from John's tech forum) http://www.bridgecitytools.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=21

cheers,
Roger

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject: Lube port--sporatic burrs.

Hi All-

I assembled a JMP the other day and came across a situation that you should look out for (it's minor, but minor issues are unacceptable to me) when assembling your JMP.

On top of each dovetailed way are a series of holes which allow you to judiciously apply lube to the angled surfaces of the sliders. I noticed a faint "click" when I moved the one of the tables back and forth. What I discovered was a very small burr on the bottom of the lube port holes on one rail. I carefully removed them with a small slip stone and all is well (if you have a similar issue, 400 grit on a small stick works too).

If it can happen to me, it could happen to you as well. If you do nothing, the function of the tool is not impaired and the burr will eventually fatigue on its own and "go away".

It really bugged me and I am happy to share the solution.

Please let me know if you have encountered a similar issue so I can quantify whether my experience was an anomaly or whether we need to change our mfg. process in the next run;

john@bridgecitytools.com

FYI.

John Economaki

Matthew Schenker · « **Reply #129 on:** March 10, 2009, 10:12 PM »

Roger,
Thanks for the additional posts. I would love to see more people using this and reporting back on their projects.
If John Economaki ever has the time (I know he's got to be incredibly busy) it would be great to hear from him.
Thanks again,
Matthew

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #130 on:** March 13, 2009, 12:58 AM »

Yet another installation video....... (residing within http://www.bridgecitytools.com/discussion/)

JMP Square the Blade to the Tables.....

cheers,
Roger

neilc · « **Reply #131 on:** March 13, 2009, 10:49 PM »

Thanks Roger for that video. I used it last night to make sure the blade was square to the tables.

Mine arrived this week and it took about two hours to assemble it one evening. The instructions were very straight forward.

I have only done a few practice cuts but am amazed with the fit and finish, and overall accuracy. This saw will take some getting used to with the blade cutting up. I already have two cuts on my hands from forgetting that!

Will report back as I work more with it.

neil

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #132 on:** March 13, 2009, 11:17 PM »

Neil,

I'm glad you got yours going.

Don't forget to clean your blade after every several cuts of the sawdust that falls back between those two rows of teeth on the crosscut blade.

Remember with the JMP you have gravity working against you in this instance.

When I was up in Portland, as John was cutting he would take his thumb and forefinger,

and just go down the blade, hmm.... sniping upward - removing the saw dust.

You get used to it after a while.

You'll definitely go through a reprograming using this device.

cheers,

Roger

ps. did you really cut yourself?

daveg · « **Reply #133 on:** March 13, 2009, 11:42 PM »

I just got my shipping confirmation today. I hope to have it here early next week. I'm looking forward to this!

neilc · « **Reply #134 on:** March 13, 2009, 11:58 PM »

Thanks Roger for that tip. I'll definitely use it!

And yes, I did cut myself twice - fortunately one small scrape and a glancing slice about 3/4 inch across a thumb knuckle but it's healing with a bandaid. That blade will slice a layer of skin VERY easily when it is extended and you forget it's there while doing setups or adjustments. The table has the no hands symbols, but you forget how the thin blade is above the table. I've learned!

YOU have been warned

neil

Tinker · « **Reply #135 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:30 AM »

I have never cut myself with router, table saw or chainsaw. I did manage to nick myself with a bandsaw. Probably for same reason you cut yourself with the JMP. The blade becomes almost invisible. It makes no noise and even while looking at it, it is doubtful one would think of it as imposing enough to do much damage.

I have used a "mental" approach to using new tools that I have not been familiar with. Even tho confident, i go thru dry runs with the equipment turned off. I think about the dangers and go thru the operation with great thought about how to do every move without getting my hands into danger. i think about what not to do and then go thru motions avoiding mentally the "what not to do's".

When I zipped into my finger with the bandsaw, I first shut down machine, then checked and applied necessary bandaid. Nothing major, just a slight nick into the tip of finger nail and skin at end of finger. Once bandaid was applied, I manually went thru every problem i could think of for cutting >>> with BS turned off. Even now, after several years use, I still go thru the motions ocassionally just to keep me thinking. I no longer have a table saw in my shop, but if i do return one to the shop, I will go thru the motions as if i had never used one in my life.

i think something like that would be appropriate for new users of the JMP. It is so much different in technology and operation, as well as the blade being motionless and noisless, I am sure we will hear of others cutting themselves with the first few uses

I am sure many of us have watched "Nahm" brush the Tablesaw top with his hands so close to the spinning blade before he makes a cut. My heart is in my mouth every time I see him do that. (and he does it so often it is plainly a habit he will probably never break) I even yell at him. My wife thinks I am crazy. Oh well. She has known me long enough that she knows for certain>>> that's another story

I just don't think that is a great example to be showing any newcomers to WW'ing. If I had a guy working for me and caught him doing that, he would be gone the second time I caught him at it. I give him the two times as by the time he did it the second time, his ears would still be ringing from the first time. there are just so many ways to get hurt with any kind of machinery.
Tinker

Brent · « **Reply #136 on:** March 14, 2009, 09:53 AM »

Funny that the topic of cutting ones self should come up. I've been thinking about that for a bit now. I take Coumadin (an anticoagulent) so cutting myself while in the shop is always a concern. When I first saw the JMP I thought to myself that here's a tool to make those small cuts that will be safer than the BS or TS. Lately though I've been looking at it differently. The fact that the blade is 'raising' through the cut, and the fact that the blade is not on a level the length of the table, both lend themselves to accidents waiting to happen while getting the learning curve under control. Believe me, a small nick can stain a lot of wood when it won't clot on it's own

. Given that the only power train on the JMP will be my own arms, and therefore no possibility of being dragged into the blade, I'll probably wear gloves the first few times I use it.

Matthewajones · « **Reply #137 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:38 PM »

Hi Roger,
How is the Inca Radial arm saw working out? I joined here a few weeks back and have gotten a lot out of it. It was cool seeing your name pop up, so I just had to say hello.
Matthew Jones

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #138 on:** March 15, 2009, 01:04 PM »

Quote from: monstrol on March 14, 2009, 08:38 PM

Hi Roger,
How is the Inca Radial arm saw working out? I joined here a few weeks back and have gotten a lot out of it. It was cool seeing your name pop up, so I just had to say hello.
Matthew Jones

Matt,

Good to see you here! I'll try getting off an email off to you this evening. / Roger

Roger Savatteri · « **Reply #139 on:** March 20, 2009, 01:54 PM »

"Jointmaker Pro - Keel Assembly"

mckenziedrums · « **Reply #140 on:** May 12, 2009, 05:19 PM »

I just wanted to say... Thank you for this write up. And I'm sorry if anyone that's posted here got beat by me on that auction on Ebay for one of these amazing looking tools. I just nabbed one at a fraction of the price due to someone rejecting the delivery based on a scratch on the table top. (Not that I blame you... if I spent that kind of money on it I'd want the top flawless too!)

I'm hoping to make use of this doing precise angled cuts to build stave and segment drums. It looks like it would be very well suited to that kind of repetitive precision cut where you want a perfect gluing surface and need each piece to fit exactly. After reading this write up I knew I had to get this one. =)

TahoeTwoBears · « **Reply #141 on:** December 20, 2010, 03:01 PM »

Since my JMP is enroute, I went back to review this and was bummed that so many of the pictures seem to be missing. Is it just me?

Mike

RonWen · « **Reply #142 on:** December 20, 2010, 04:19 PM »

Quote from: TahoeTwoBears on December 20, 2010, 03:01 PM

Since my JMP is enroute, I went back to review this and was bummed that so many of the pictures seem to be missing. Is it just me?

Mike

No.

DRJONWARD · « **Reply #143 on:** September 19, 2012, 05:26 PM »

THE PHOTOS YOU INCLUDED ARE SPECTACULAR. THERE ARE SOME "image icons" WHICH DO NOT PRODUCE THE IMAGE IT REPRESENTS.

IS THERE A "FIX"?

Alan m · « **Reply #144 on:** September 19, 2012, 05:37 PM »

welcome to the fog.
if they show a little x then click it. if that doesnt work i would PM the poster adn see if they would repost the pics.

Peter Halle · « **Reply #145 on:** September 19, 2012, 05:44 PM »

I am checking into it.

Peter

DRJONWARD · « **Reply #146 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:42 PM »

Seems to be a long standing problem with some of the photo icons dating back to December of 2010. The photos which are opening properly are quite exemplary. Thanks for working on this issue.

PaulMarcel · « **Reply #147 on:** September 20, 2012, 03:12 AM »

If you are going to WIA '12 (Pasadena or Cincinnati), Bridge City will have a bunch of JMPv2s on demo. I'm doing demos for them in Pasadena. It's a fun tool. This was our demo project at last year's WIA'11.

fritter63 · « **Reply #148 on:** September 20, 2012, 11:34 AM »

Would be hilarious if they had an episode of that new "Revolution" show where the JMP was being treated as an incredibly valuable relic because it still worked...

But from what little I've seen of the show it won't last that long....

WillAdams · « **Reply #149 on:** August 31, 2019, 03:25 PM »

I am currently contemplating getting a Jointmaker Pro --- mostly I'd use it for cutting smaller stock to length with hopefully less wasted, but I'm also interested in the idea of using it to resaw (I guess I'd want a rip blade for that).

Has anyone tried resawing stock with it? What would be a reasonable expectation for how wide and long a piece of wood one could resaw with it?