JessEm Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides for Router Table $90 (Less w/ SD Cashback) + free s/h at Focus Camera

Love these guides! Got em on my router table and the table saw version on my cabinet saw. They both work great! Jessem makes very good stuff!

These were $80 as recently as last fall. $90 is a decent price that will come back around again, either through Focus or Woodcraft, if you want to take the chance on a lower price.

Jessem has been a waste of money for me... These, and the router lift were the 2 biggest disappointments.

I had used items called "Board Buddies" and while they're amazing, and inexpensive they're really huge.

So I ended up making my own, and they've been great so far.

No offense to anyone, but I guess if you've never used other items similar to Jessem' then their items might seem great.

In reality, these should be around $40 as they're not very durable.

I suppose at the end of the day, it's my fault. I keep buying the things these woodworking companies thinking they seem like great ideas, and they often are great ideas, but executed poorly and cheaply.

Quote from IncompletePerfect : Jessem has been a waste of money for me... These, and the router lift were the 2 biggest disappointments. I had used items called "Board Buddies" and while they're amazing, and inexpensive they're really huge. So I ended up making my own, and they've been great so far. No offense to anyone, but I guess if you've never used other items similar to Jessem' then their items might seem great. In reality, these should be around $40 as they're not very durable. I suppose at the end of the day, it's my fault. I keep buying the things these woodworking companies thinking they seem like great ideas, and they often are great ideas, but executed poorly and cheaply.

I think you might be the first person to say that Jessem items are not durable.

Quote from g3ck1 : I think you might be the first person to say that Jessem items are not durable.

I'm definitely not the first to say it. Lol. I should've listened to others that warned me before I threw several hundred at JessEm years ago (but, I got them at cost, so I figured "go big" lol).

Guides like this aren't a new concept. They could just be charging a lot because people will buy it (like certain other overpriced "red" brands that Peck upon Wood lol) because it fits the "I am woodworker. I make epoxy river tables" lmao jk. 🤣

I suppose that in the modern disposable world *Stares at Kreg with Murderous Intent * that people don't seem to care much about how well a product does over time vs the price paid (or theyve simply grown numb to it, and its the woodworkers version of being a 15 year old girl wanting a New Updated Iphone every year. But for myself, I know that I could make these in a hour or two and it would be $30-$40 in total AND be more durable/functional.

So it's really just an overpriced copy of a system that's been around for decades already.

At the end of the day, it's about value. And at this price, it becomes more about recognition, than quality. JessEm should either make their products at higher quality, or lower their prices. Or, at least give them a unique feature that makes them worth it.

Quote from IncompletePerfect : I'm definitely not the first to say it. Lol. I should've listened to others that warned me before I threw several hundred at JessEm years ago (but, I got them at cost, so I figured "go big" lol). Guides like this aren't a new concept. They could just be charging a lot because people will buy it (like certain other overpriced "red" brands that Peck upon Wood lol) because it fits the "I am woodworker. I make epoxy river tables" lmao jk. 🤣 I suppose that in the modern disposable world *Stares at Kreg with Murderous Intent * that people don't seem to care much about how well a product does over time vs the price paid (or theyve simply grown numb to it, and its the woodworkers version of being a 15 year old girl wanting a New Updated Iphone every year. But for myself, I know that I could make these in a hour or two and it would be $30-$40 in total AND be more durable/functional. So it's really just an overpriced copy of a system that's been around for decades already. At the end of the day, it's about value. And at this price, it becomes more about recognition, than quality. JessEm should either make their products at higher quality, or lower their prices. Or, at least give them a unique feature that makes them worth it.

I've literally run thousands of board feet through my cabinet saw with the JessEm guides on the fence and they are as good as new. Not sure what you're talking about. I guess YMMV?

Quote from JeremiahF : I've literally run thousands of board feet through my cabinet saw with the JessEm guides on the fence and they are as good as new. Not sure what you're talking about. I guess YMMV?

I'll 2nd that. I have both these router table guides and also the table saw guides and both are invaluable I still use feather boards in conjunction with the router guides and I've never had an issue. I don't get how these are not durable. As for the router lift, I can't comment on Jessem but I'm assuming it's of good quality (I have the Incra lift).

Quote from gr8scottaz : I'll 2nd that. I have both these router table guides and also the table saw guides and both are invaluable I still use feather boards in conjunction with the router guides and I've never had an issue. I don't get how these are not durable. As for the router lift, I can't comment on Jessem but I'm assuming it's of good quality (I have the Incra lift).

That's his brand. Popping into these threads, specifically Jessem for whatever reason, spouting contrarian nonsense. The funny part is you can go back and peruse previous threads to find his glowing reviews of this exact product. A couple other guys do it too, Incra is another brand. Seems like they have nothing better to do.

Quote from IncompletePerfect : Jessem has been a waste of money for me... These, and the router lift were the 2 biggest disappointments. I had used items called "Board Buddies" and while they're amazing, and inexpensive they're really huge. So I ended up making my own, and they've been great so far. No offense to anyone, but I guess if you've never used other items similar to Jessem' then their items might seem great. In reality, these should be around $40 as they're not very durable. I suppose at the end of the day, it's my fault. I keep buying the things these woodworking companies thinking they seem like great ideas, and they often are great ideas, but executed poorly and cheaply.

Jessem router lifts are best in class. If you find them a waste of money Im dying to hear what is considered better by your standards.

I'll never understand the Jessem hate on slickdeals. I'll be the first to agree that woodworking companies pump out a lot of gimmicky tools that seem like the perfect way to speed things up or overcome obstacles in the shop and end up being poorly made garbage that create more problems than they solve.

But maaaaan from the moment I opened my TS stock guides, it was just obvious from the weight, the engineering, the materials, and the clearly written instructions that they were the real deal. They do everything I hoped they would do and with zero adjustment, extra jigs, fiddling, etc. I haven't tried the router table guides, but I guarantee from the level of finish on the bigger guides that Jessem does not mess around.

Quote from IncompletePerfect : Jessem has been a waste of money for me... These, and the router lift were the 2 biggest disappointments. I had used items called "Board Buddies" and while they're amazing, and inexpensive they're really huge. So I ended up making my own, and they've been great so far. No offense to anyone, but I guess if you've never used other items similar to Jessem' then their items might seem great. In reality, these should be around $40 as they're not very durable. I suppose at the end of the day, it's my fault. I keep buying the things these woodworking companies thinking they seem like great ideas, and they often are great ideas, but executed poorly and cheaply.

Sounds like you bought some knock off spelled Jesummmm or something lol.

Seriously, first person I've ever heard say anything bad about these.

Quote from ktownhero : Sounds like you bought some knock off spelled Jesummmm or something lol. Seriously, first person I've ever heard say anything bad about these.

Jessum is short for "Jessum good as Jessem". A common theme on SD. Wait until a rice cooker deal pops up for the real fun 🍿

Quote from JeremiahF : I've literally run thousands of board feet through my cabinet saw with the JessEm guides on the fence and they are as good as new. Not sure what you're talking about. I guess YMMV?

I'm with you on this. I own both the router and table saw version of the JessEm guides and love them! For a one man shop, I find the guides invaluable as they do three functions:
1. Keep workpiece against fence
2. Press workpiece down on the table
3. Prevent kickback

From ripping boards to cutting detailed pieces, these are a win in my book. I paid full price for the table saw guides and got the router one for $90 at woodcraft and don't regret the purchase at all.

So are you getting the whole table top and fence part??