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(More customer reviews)I have been using the Jawhorse for several projects. Since the Rockwell web site has no customer service email, I would like to make some detailed comments about this product that perhaps you can pass on to your co-workers, managers, friends, etc. This product has several pros and cons, and here they are, straight from an avid woodworker. The Pros: very versatile, very stable, excellent design, most of it is very solidly built, and it is portable, and very useful for a wide range of projects. And, it is worth the money as long as you can put up with a few shortcomings.
Here are the cons. There are 4 key parts in the design that are made of plastic. Three of these 4 parts are also "moving" parts, so the claims on the infomercial and other adds for this product that say "no moving plastic parts to replace" and "all steel construction", are simply not true.
First, lets start with the roller, which is used for rolling the product across a surface as one of the transport methods (while using the rear leg as a handle). This part is made of hollow plastic. Instead, it should be made of solid, hardened rubber (the same kind of material used to make industrial, swiveling coaster wheels) to increase durability.
The second part is the yellow latch in front. It is made of plastic, and it sticks out enough to where it could be easily hit and broken (especially by contractors, and when being transported while folded up).
The third one is the end cap which is fastened at the end of the rear leg, and makes contact with the ground during use. Instead of plastic, this should be made of hard rubber, just like the rubber pads at the end of the front legs.
The fourth part, and most important, is the swiveling brace assembly and tightening nut that holds the rear leg in position. This is definitely the weak link in this product. Either this part, or the latch in front, will be the first parts to be broken on this unit. If this part were made of metal, it probably would be rated at a higher weight capacity.
Other cons of the Jawhorse, when it is folded and to be lifted up to carry it, there is not enough clearance around the rear leg (the space between rear leg and the foot pedal while folded) to get your hand all the way around it for a good grip - you can only get your hand in past the first nuckle - so if you have big nuckles like I do, it might not be comfortable to carry while folded. Also, the foot pedal is not made with as thick a gage steel as the rest of the unit's frame, so you have to be careful that you are pressing the pedal evenly, straight down with a flat foot, and not off to one side, or it might bend easily or get twisted.
Lastly, the owners manual is not very good and it is missing some very key components. It does not say anything as to whether replacement parts (such as the plastic ones mentioned above) are available through Rockwell. Also, there is not a detailed schematic drawing with parts numbers. Both of these problems may make some potential buyers wary that this product might be a throw-away if something gets broken. I did not yet ask Rockwell if parts can be replaced, so this might not be a problem, but if this is the case they ought to tell customers up front. The design is not complicated, and since many folks who buy this are probably mechanically inclined, people want to have the option of ordering parts and fixing it themselves instead of shipping it in for repairs (which many times is way cheaper). This is very important for many buyers.
Lastly, I do not understand the mentality of making such a sturdy, well-designed and versatile product with tough, heavy-gage steel, and then skimping on a few key parts and making them plastic. How much money does the company really save by doing this? I bet that if the company did a survey, a vast majority of buyers would be willing to pay $20, $30, or even $50 more for this product, if these plastic parts were eliminated from the design and replaced with more durable materials. And I doubt that it would add much more weight than maybe 2 or 3 pounds to the unit. This product is a great investment and great piece of equipment, but for it to be built to "last a lifetime" as Rockwell claims, then get rid of the plastic, please !
By the way, on the sticker that is underneath the moveable jaw, it specifically says "Manufactured to Rockwell specifications in China", in case you were wondering. However, I think Positec is poised to be one of the better worldwide manufacturers of quality tools (they have corporate offices in several countries, including the US). To summarize, don't necessarily use my review as justification for not buying one - I am still recommending that all of you should really get one of these. I am glad I did, and so far I can live with the cons I mentioned above because of how versatile and sturdy it is, overall, and the fact that it has done everything that it has claimed it could do, so far.
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Rockwell RK9000 JawhorseProduct Description: When you have a job to do that requires a second set of hands, you can turn to the Rockwell Jawhorse portable workstation clamping system. Whether you're sheetrocking, setting fence posts, or constructing an outdoor playhouse for your children, this unique hands-free portable workstation will help you get the job done.
The Rockwell Jawhorse Portable Workstation Clamping System offers:
The ability to accomplish jobs without a second person
A trademarked foot pedal that applies up to 2,200 lbs. of force
Jaws that can be opened up to 37-inches wide
A compact folding design for easy storage
You can hang doors and complete other tasks that used to take two people on your own. View larger.
The stable Jawhorse lets you hold awkward materials securely in place. View larger.
The Jawhorse can be neatly folded and transported. View larger.
Clever, Practical Design Makes Jobs EasierWhether you're an occasional do-it-yourselfer or a professional contractor, the Jawhorse will clamp virtually anything you can imagine. The Jawhorse's serious clamping power lets you accomplish tasks that normally require two people on your own.
The strong and versatile Jawhorse can replace your workbenches, sawhorses, clamps, bench vises, and much more. You can use it to hold work materials in place as you tackle jobs like setting fence posts, hanging doors, installing crown moldings, and placing new sheetrock overhead. Even odd-shaped objects like engine blocks can fit neatly in the Jawhorse's grip.
Apply up to 2,200 Pounds of Force--Hands FreeThe Jawhorse features a trademarked hands-free foot pedal that lets you apply up to one metric ton (2,200 pounds) of force, so you don't have to worry about materials slipping while you work. And the jaws can be opened up to 37-inches wide, which is enough to hold most doors securely in place. This gives you maximum flexibility on the job.
The Jawhorse also eliminates the need for individual saw stands and complicated vices. A variety of different saws can be locked into the sturdy jaws on this station, allowing you to make precise cuts quickly and safely--no awkward balancing of large boards or one-handed saw operation required. Patented rubber pads help keep you from denting or scratching wood the way you might using traditional vice clamps, making the Jawhorse ideal for finish work.
Durable, Dependable, and Easy to Transport or StoreThe Jawhorse features solid all-steel construction along with an extra-wide stance, providing exceptional strength and stability in a wide variety of conditions. There are no moving plastic parts to break. And with a unique, three-legged design, the Jawhorse is easier to balance on uneven terrain than traditional four-legged sawhorses and mobile workbenches.
The Jawhorse is incredibly simple to use. You just set it up, lock it in place, and clamp your project materials or tools down. This quick and easy setup makes the Jawhorse ideal for use on remote worksites and for people who don't have the space in their busy home or apartment for a permanent workbench.
When not in use, the workstation folds down to a compact 29x14x13 inches for easy transport or storage in a small closet. And weighing in at just 43 pounds, it is easy to lift in and out of work rigs.
When unfolded, an integrated roller makes it incredibly easy to move around the workshop or the jobsite. There are holes in two of the three feet so that you can choose to bolt the Jawhorse down for frequent use in your workshop or on big job sites that require more permanence.
Available Accessories Provide Even Greater VersatilityVersatile accessories (sold separately) let you customize the Jawhorse to better meet your individual needs. You can use the Welding jaw to set up a full welding station. The Chainsaw jaw makes it easy to lock saws in place for sharpening, and Saddlebags let you keep all your tools neatly organized and within arms reach. You can also use the Plywood jaw to adapt the Jawhorse for large sheet goods up to 52-inches wide, or set up the Jawhorse as a reliable Miter Saw Station or a more permanent Work Table.
What's in the BoxRockwell Jawhorse portable workstation clamping system.
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