I have the riser block on my Jet 14". I got it when they were
offering some promotion, so it was like $99 or such. I can't see any
issues with it in place other than it's a bit harder to reach the
blade tensioning rod at the top. I just made a lever to slip over
the knob -- there are all kinds of nifty ways to set the tension these
days.

I order my blades -- BC Saw in Canada. Recommended by Michael
Fortune. I find his advice very practical and very simple. Here's a
link
http://www.furnituresociety.org/furn...w_Complete.pdf