« back to Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories forum
Forum topic by dbw | posted 03-04-2019 01:49 PM | 1335 views | 0 times favorited | 30 replies | ![]() |
![]() |
03-04-2019 01:49 PM |
Topic tags/keywords: jointer fence yesterday I went to look at a used jointer which I was considering purchasing. I brought my trusty aluminum straight edge with me. I checked the fence (cast iron) for flatness and I noticed it was bowed along it’s length. The middle of the bow was approximately 1/16”. The beds are 8” X 76” and I don’t know how long the fence is. I didn’t buy it because I didn’t know if a bowed fence is a problem on a jointer. Here is my question: is a bowed fence a no-no on a jointer or am I overthinking this? BTW the tables were DEAD flat. -- Measure twice, cut once. If you cut it too short get a wood stretcher. |
30 replies so far
#1 posted 03-04-2019 01:54 PM |
It’s not a huge problem as long as it’s straight up and down. It needs to be square to the bed along its length which it can be even with a bow. The problem would be if it was bowed at the top and not the bottom. -- Bill M. "People change, walnut doesn't" by Gene. |
#2 posted 03-04-2019 02:22 PM |
yeah probably wont matter as long as the bed is dead on and the fence is square as bill said,if the price is right id go for it. -- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF. |
#3 posted 03-04-2019 02:50 PM |
The bigger question is: is it common for a name brand jointer (Grizzly in this case) to have a bowed fence? Surely there are jointers out there where the fence is flat and square to the beds along it’s length. -- Measure twice, cut once. If you cut it too short get a wood stretcher. |
#4 posted 03-04-2019 04:55 PM |
This problem is more common than you think, and it’s typically found in the newer asian machines because the quality of the machining performed, as well as the actual cast iron used, is lacking. They rush to production these castings, machining them before they have properly cycled and cured. The curing process on cast iron can take years, and the vintage American and European makers of old knew this. A company like Northfield would let their castings sit outside for as long as 10 years before machining them, and selling them as finished machines. Big difference between a $1500 Grizzly jointer and a $18K jointer from Northfield. It’s quite possible that fence you looked at was straight when it was machined, but stresses relieved in the castings, over time, have released and are causing the castings to move. I restore a lot of vintage machinery. My entire shop is filled with them. I’ve had machine surfaces reground, and can tell you that when machining/grinding is not done correctly, or if it is rushed, the castings can move, and they can move a lot. There’s a good chance that fence is not through moving, and you would also need to see if it’s moving in other directions, as well. I’ve seen several fences for jointers that had twist in them, as well, and that would make it very, very difficult to edge joint boards for glue-ups. You were wise to walk away. Plenty of machines out there, in all sizes, that were made with quality castings. No need to chase gremlins in a machine that may be a problem child for some time to come. -- Jeff Heath |
#5 posted 03-04-2019 05:09 PM |
As mentioned, as long as it’s perpendicular to the table, it should not cause much problems. And it is more common than people realize… here is a snippet from a vintage Powermatic PM50 manual that describes how to fix it: Straightening Warped Fence:(From PM50 manual http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/655/4309.pdf) Cheers, -- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable |
#6 posted 03-04-2019 05:16 PM |
i like the sharpening instructions. -- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF. |
#7 posted 03-04-2019 05:39 PM |
I don’t mean to be too critical but I find it absurd to think that an iron casting needs 10 years to cure before it is ready for final machining. Tool companies that follow that procedure would be out of business long before their first piece was ready to sell. Established companies would also have to guess how many castings to make 10 years in advance. Millions of dollars would be tied up in work in process. So much for inventory control. |
#8 posted 03-04-2019 06:08 PM |
i gotta agree on that,thier not making high end wiskey-lol. -- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF. |
#9 posted 03-04-2019 06:23 PM |
If it is a good deal, get it. If the bow bugs you and impacts your work, take it off and take it to a machine shop for facing. |
#10 posted 03-04-2019 11:11 PM |
10 years is alot, saw a show on Rolls Royce they season the engine blocks for a year outside. I have a 6 Delta Rockwell that had a bad fence so I fixed it. |
#11 posted 03-04-2019 11:33 PM |
I am just telling you what Jeff at Northfield Machines told us during a tour of their facilities. I’m NOT saying 10 years is necessary, but that’s how many castings they had sitting outside, back in the day, when high quality industrial machines were being made. That’s the difference between the vintage heavy duty stuff, and the low quality stuff sold today to hobbyists. A year or two outside, going through weather cycles, will be enough for castings to season. Not happening at all with the new stuff being sold. I ended all my frustrations with these problems 20 years ago when I sold all my new asian made stuff and invested in vintage “made in the USA” high quality machinery. It started for me when 2 brand new Delta jointers, out of the box, back to back, had to be returned because of alignment problems with the tables. One of the fences was warped and twisted, too. Slowly but surely, I found what I needed, and restored them all myself. -- Jeff Heath |
#12 posted 03-04-2019 11:45 PM |
wow what a treasure trove of beautiful old machines just waiting to be loved back to life.looks like about a 20” jointer in front? what woodworker hasn’t dream’t of that.probably weighs a ton (literally). -- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF. |
#13 posted 03-05-2019 03:28 AM |
The machines shown, save one, are all working machines (Yates American Y30 in back right is under restoration). Some were full restorations, including paint, and some were mechanical only, like the Powermatic planer shown. The jointer is a Yates American #1, a 16”er. It was a full restoration, as it sat in a barn for about 20 years when I found it. It was rough, rough, rough, with heavy pitting in the tables, so I had it reground. -- Jeff Heath |
#14 posted 03-05-2019 01:17 PM |
This “aging” business reminds me of a Gallo Wine TV commercial from the 70’s where the voice says “we will sell no wine before it’s time.” -- Measure twice, cut once. If you cut it too short get a wood stretcher. |
#15 posted 03-05-2019 03:31 PM |
The fence on my Grizzly jointer has about a 1/16” bow in the center but it is square all along its length. Its never been an issue. -- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!! |
Have your say...
You must be signed in to reply.
|
Forum | Topics |
---|---|
Woodworking Skill Share
|
13136 |
Woodturning
|
2782 |
Woodcarving
|
564 |
Scrollsawing
|
413 |
Joinery
|
1867 |
Finishing
|
6298 |
Designing Woodworking Projects
|
7852 |
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
|
32528 |
CNC Woodworking
|
325 |
Hand Tools
|
6420 |
Jigs & Fixtures
|
1783 |
Wood & Lumber
|
7241 |
Safety in the Woodworking Shop
|
1613 |
Focus on the Workspace
|
2611 |
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
|
1265 |
Woodworking Trade & Swap
|
5393 |
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
|
2394 |
Coffee Lounge
|
9625 |