Jointech - Caveat Emptor

[powder2burn]

Here is another tale of poor Customer Service at JoinTech:

I too have had problems with getting JoinTech to reply to simple email. Early last year I have purchased a used ShopSmith that already had a complete JoinTech SawTrain System installed, about 4 years earlier by the previous ShopSmith owner, who had since died. On May 11th 2009, I sent a simple email inquiry to JoinTech. I wanted to purchase a pair of rails, so I could move some the SawTrain components to a separate stand and off the SawTrain. My questions were very simple: 1) Can I purchase a pair of 2x2 rails 60-inches long; 2) If so, what would be the cost and shipping fee. On June 7th 2009, nearly a month later I sent a follow up email. On June 10th 2009, I finally received a reply. In that, reply Ernest Saldana provided a price and shipping fee I had asked about. Well enough, however, Ernest added, “I can see if we have any used or scratched rails available”. Well, that was fine with me, so I waited for Ernest to get back to me. On June 15th, 2009, I sent Ernest a follow up email. No reply. On June 24th, 2009, I sent JoinTech another short email. No reply. June 20th, 2009, I sent another short email. No reply. August 8th, 2009, one more email. Still, no reply. On October 16th, 2009, I final got a reply from JoinTech. The problem was that reply did not reference the rails I was originally interested in purchasing, or if a used/scratched pair were found, but went off in a tangent I never asked about. Not very helpful.

Bottom line is I would never do business with JoinTech. I am glad I did not send them any money. Clearly, they “source” the 2X2 aluminum rail extrusion from some other company. I guess I will try to find that source. If any one knows who “supplies” JoinTech with the 2” x 2” aluminum rail extrusion, I would be most appreciative. Otherwise, I will keep looking around and making inquires.

[dusty]

[quote="powder2burn"]Here is another tale of poor Customer Service at JoinTech:

I too have had problems with getting JoinTech to reply to simple email. Early last year I have purchased a used ShopSmith that already had a complete JoinTech SawTrain System installed, about 4 years earlier by the previous ShopSmith owner, who had since died. On May 11th 2009, I sent a simple email inquiry to JoinTech. I wanted to purchase a pair of rails, so I could move some the SawTrain components to a separate stand and off the SawTrain. My questions were very simple: 1) Can I purchase a pair of 2x2 rails 60-inches long]I wish you luck on your quest for that supplier. I doubt that, even if you identify the source, they will sell to you. I suspect that they only manufacture those for JoinTech.

My opinion is based on a quest to buy extruded aluminum rails for the Shopsmith. I have a couple projects in mind that would require rails that are longer than those available. No luck.

[pennview]

Here's a source for extruded aluminum rails that may meet your needs: http://www.8020.net/Product-Catalog.asp

[powder2burn]

Pennview, thanks for the link. I sent 8020, Inc. an email this morning, already received their reply. Could not ask for better Customer Service. They do not stock the profile used by JoinTech, however, they are willing to produce the die and will fabricate it if I order 1,000 pounds and pay for the dies. I love the “can do” attitude. Only problem is I need only 30 pounds. Can anyone else use 970 pounds of 2” x 2” extrusion?

[SDSSmith]

Pennview, thanks for the link. I sent 8020, Inc. an email this morning, already received their reply. Could not ask for better Customer Service. They do not stock the profile used by JoinTech, however, they are willing to produce the die and will fabricate it if I order 1,000 pounds and pay for the dies. I love the “can do” attitude. Only problem is I need only 30 pounds. Can anyone else use 970 pounds of 2” x 2” extrusion?

How about this 2x2 extrusion?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F0LV0W/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001F0F0YK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=076C54VK12ESY83KJR53

[dusty]

Extrusions are available from many distributors. Extrusions that match the front and rear rails of the Mark V are currently available in the predetermined lengths ONLY from Shopsmith. What I want/need is the ability to buy longer pieces of the same profile.

[pinkiewerewolf]

I have to admit that I had issues receiving everything from jointech too.
Unfortunately I ran into some life situations and have never put the system together.
I hope that I was able to get the situation fully resolved at that time. Hopefully I'll find out in a couple of months.