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Setting a Jointer

597 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by PeteCollin, Dec 18, 2021

PeteCollin

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

Hello All,
I have a recurring problem with my jointer. I just have trouble getting it to plane a perfectly flat surface. It is an old Bridgewood brand. Seems to be good quality so that probably isn't the problem. I have a knifesetting jig, and know how to mount s fresh set of blades. But setting the outfeed table height is a challenge. I make it so that a straightedge barely kisses the blade as I slide it across top dead center. But when I go to plane an edge to glue up a panel, it makes the surface ever so slightly convex, so it rocks when I mate the two faces to be glued together.
I know the tool can make a good cut, because I have done it plenty of times in the 13 years I have owned it. But with each change of the knives comes a struggle to get it cutting right.
Anything I should be looking for?

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Oldtool

· #2 · Dec 18, 2021

I don't have a jointer, so my input is minimal at best.

Did you try jointing by hand? I know this sounds crazy, but I've jointed by hand with a Stanley number 7, and I swear the board continued to move as you are experiencing, creating a convex or concave edge. I thought that maybe this was dur to internal stresses in the board.

That's all I got. Good luck.

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controlfreak

· #3 · Dec 18, 2021

I had trouble until I set the knives TDC even with the outfeed table. Used a 1,2,3 block with a dial gauge bolted to it.

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Unknowncraftsman

· #4 · Dec 18, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

Try this Pete.
Lower outfeed table until it's lower then the infeed. Turn on machine take a cut on a fairly straight board until 4 or 5 inches hangs over the outfeed.
Turn off machine raise outfeed until it barely touches bottom of board you just cut. This will be top dead center of the knives cutting circle.
Patrick M does a good job explaining in this video on jointer safety. 7 min mark.

Good Luck

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PeteCollin

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 18, 2021

I tried your trick and it works great! You may have changed my life. Thanks!

Try this Pete.
Lower outfeed table until it's lower then the infeed. Turn on machine take a cut on a fairly straight board until 4 or 5 inches hangs over the outfeed.
Turn off machine raise outfeed until it barely touches bottom of board you just cut. This will be top dead center of the knives cutting circle.
Patrick M does a good job explaining in this video on jointer safety. 7 min mark.

Good Luck

- Aj2

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