I have used Jet brand equipment at work, and I also have no complaints, but the thing is, when I decided I wanted to have at home the same thing I had at work, I paid half what my employer did, and got the same exact thing. Most commercial outfits would not have a Craftsman brand tool in their shop because that's "weekend warrior" gear. But they DO have craftsman stuff, just with a "JET" sticker applied for a hefty premium.
One of the big things that changed perception, is that the major competitor Delta went under and sold to a Chinese group. So Jet became the next best thing. I bought a made in USA Delta band saw, and It was a basket case. Wheels that were not true, wobbled back and forth, castings that twisted away from alignment. A support bar that when you lowered it or raised it changed the blades squareness and you had to re-adjust the guides and rear bearing. So spending almost twice to buy American over Chinese or Taiwan and get crap... it was a painful lesson. I could go on.
I've had this model for 3 years and it is well balanced and sturdy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Belt-Grinder-2x72-Complete-Chassis-/252059068108?hash=item3aafe426cc . Made in USA and well constructed. Their web site offers a lot of options,also. https://originblademaker.com/product-category/belt-grinders/
You can get a beat up single phase 1/2 HP motor on ebay for $20. Or spend $300 on a brand new three phase 2 HP motor, and another $150 on a VFD. (Just be sure to get a totally enclosed motor, you don't want something that will pull grindings through the windings). So it depends on what you want to do. Buy one, new or used, if you want a belt grinder. Build one if you want a project.
Fortunately my other career choice panned out.
