JET JWS-10 Variable-Speed Wet Sharpening System (727100)

Jet is a quality brand that I didn’t mind spending the extra money on. At the ripe old age of 27, I just want quality tools. Buy once cry once. Both wheels spun true and worked great. I sharpened a knife free hand and then I cut a whole chicken in half. Effortlessly sliced thru bone and everything, and I didn’t even hone it. That was just the 220 grit wheel, using water of course. Things I did not expect: Size. This thing sits 12 7/8 inches (32.7 cm) from counter top to top of 220 grit wheel. It comes with buffing compound which is a must have for honing. It also comes with lots of attachments and a dressing stone so you can keep your wheel flat and spinning true. Last thing is this thing spins slow which is what you want for sharpening. As your wheel wears down you can also turn the RPM up(Revolutions Per Minute). That makes it so you get consistent speeds throughout the wheel life.

Excellent value ,sharpening everything from knives to axes to chisels. Fast consistent I’d like to have two. One for kitchen knives and one for the shop.

The plastic liner in the included jig instantly, and constantly fell out making the jig unusable until I had to super glue it in place. Only then could I use it at all. See picture above. None of the holders for the jig support were square to the stone. What started out as a squared chisel became an unsquared chisel skew because of the misalignment of the jig support arm. I see no way to correct this at all on the machine. I have a shop full of jet tools. When I got an opportunity to add a tool that I needed at a good price, I jumped at the opportunity. I'm sending this back. As far as I'm concerned, all of the fancy features don't mean a thing if I cannot get a good square sharp edge on my tools. I have done far better with a grinder and a hand honing jig like Veritas. Do not buy this thinking that you are saving money over the Tormek. Hopefully you can learn from my mistake.

Reviewing: Jet JWS-10 Variable Speed, 10-Inch, Wet Sharpening System Workmanship and finish…..Bought this new for $365, but does not feel like value-for-money. The frame is clean and well assembled. Jet uses about 50/50 combination of metal and plastic for the frame as well as for the jig-arm anchors. (UPDATE the horizontal sleeve anchors look like hard black plastic but they are actually metal). Stropping wheel….I would have given 1 star when I first turned on the machine as the stropping wheel wobbled a full 1/2” laterally (photo). I noticed this in earlier reviews. But upon examination, it was mounted by the factory incorrectly. There are three alignment pins mating it to the power wheel. One of the pins was not in its hole, thus forcing the stropping wheel to wobbler terribly. This can be easily fixed by proper alignment. The wheel looks solid and the leather is robust. But the leather was unevenly glued into place, producing a raised ridge in a portion of the seam (making a “bump” in the wheel). This is a small issue, can be fixed with a carving knife and series of sandpaper to smooth down the ridge. Controls…..I agree with some who question “why are the controls located on the same (back) side as the power cord”, plus speed control knob loose, falls off. Sticker with serial number fell off. Not sure if serial number also located elsewhere. Jig support arm..… very close to square with the stone Jigs….Only square-edge jig provided. I use the Tormek square edge and truing jigs, which work with the JWS-10. NOTE - The mounting position of the support arm prevents Tormek truing jig from anchoring, so adding a “flat” on the arm should help anchor the jig. Warranty….3 year manufacturing warranty. Plastic storage drawer for smaller jigs is a plus! Noise - This is a negative to me. Motor produces a combination high-whine and gear-grind that is anything but quiet (see video). I teach my grandson woodworking and sharp planes/chisels are a must, plus I sharpen for my neighbors. I would consider ear muffs when using this one. (check my review on the Bucktool Wet Sharpener) UPDATE: I decided to return this unit. I think there is a defect in the manufacture/assembly of this particular unit, as other reviews did not identify this whine/grinding noise as an issue.

Quick review. I am a hand tool user. Mostly Japanese style hand tools. Needed a mechanized way to remove deep nicks or chips in blades. Bought the Jet grinder on sale for $260. It's worth about that. No hard feelings. Not pleased that a stone leveling tool was not provided with grinder , it's essential to "round" the wheel. Buy the Triton stone leveler is only $4 and is exactly same item as the Jet brand. The provided wheel doesn't cut fast. Obtusely slow for removing a chip in a blade. I can hand sharpen faster and more accurately. I only really intend to use this on chisels and plane blades and only for bulk removal of material, i.e. chips and such damage on edges. I will need to get a better wheel. I may send the grinder back and buy the Makita which seemed over priced. But a flat horizontal wheel allows for hand holding the blade on the wheel much better than a vertical wheel grinder. We'll see.... For the money it's ok at $260, the Jet. But no wheel dressing jig , and slow cutting wheel is no good. I don't think any other brand in this price range will get you better. So I would prefer the Jet over the other cheaper grinders. The Triton I think may be the same tool with minor differences. All the triton attachments fit the Jet. And all the Tormek attachments fit the Jet.