|
|
Setting Planer and Jointer Knives
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor B: I set my knives on my jointer for many years with a short straight edge. Then I bought a used jointer and the seller threw in a knife setting jig that I really love. It has a foot that rests on the knife that causes a pointer in a little window to show how many thousandths of an inch the knife is high or low. For me, knowing in measurable terms exactly where the knife edge is in relation to the outfeed table is gold. I don’t know where you can buy one as I got mine used, but mine was made by Inca. From contributor C: Powermatic made one like the Inca jig but it was not very accurate. A $15 indicator, 1/2 button tip and a block of wood is far better for jointer knives. From contributor B: To contributor C: Can you explain what you mean by that? What is a button tip? How is it used with a block of wood? From contributor C: A button tip is a larger size tip than is typically found on an indicator. I use a 1/2" (button) slightly convex, and the indicator could simply be mounted in front of a heavy block of wood that sits on the outfeed table. Bridgewood has some nice looking knife setting jigs. An indicator is a more accurate gauge than the Inca. I've used it. From contributor B: I can tell when my jointers are set well by the feel and also by jointing a couple long stiff pieces of wood and looking for light to shine through the two edges when they are held together. I check my 16" planer by measuring with calipers the thickness of boards run at various points along the knives while the planer is set to a single elevation. That’s all it takes for me to get the performance I need for my work. From contributor E: You can use a tool called a Multi-Gauge. It is a piece of cast iron that has been precision ground on three sides for reference surfaces and the fourth has a clamp to hold a dial indicator. It is available from Garret Wade tool catalog and many other tool catalogs. It runs about $80 bucks. From contributor F: I use a straight edge for my jointer. Most important is the blades parallel to the outfeed table. For my planer I use a dial indicator with a magnetic base. I have a Powermatic 15" planer so I can set the knives from above. Its quick and I can get the knives well within .001". The comments below were added after this Forum discussion was archived as a Knowledge Base article (add your comment). Comment from contributor G:
Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
|
