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Aligning jointer tables and shelix cutter head

6K views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  SelmaBear64 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a quick question regarding making jointer tables coplanar after installing shelix cutter head from 3 knife cutter head. With the three knife cutter head you could make jointer tables coplanar and adjust the knives for that perfect fit. Do I now have to align tables using shelix cutter head as starting reference?
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Putting one in you needed to drop the tables, both in and out feed. I raised both up after it was in, so a straightedge laying on both tables, just touched the cutter where the straightedge went across.

Then I dropped the outfeed side about 1/8", not a lot. I used a piece of fairly flat stock 24" that I had already jointed, and ran it in till it cut maybe 6" onto the outfeed table.

Then I just moved the infeed, so it totally supported the portion on it, and it still was just making contact with the outfeed.

Got another piece of stock, and ran it across like I would to joint it, and it was fine. One of the small things you don't want to forget is you took off the fence. Now I just hardly ever tilt a jointer fence, so you have to resquare it to the deck. Either that or I about guarantee you'll be jointing a bevel on everything.

That was at first, then I went back and redid the entire thing, just dropping the outfeed around 1/16. After that I was much happier with the results.
 
#4 ·
Okay so I guess it does not affect safety aspect about raising cutterhead a couple thousand or so if tables are already coplanar. Which mine are not since I did have to drop both tables for removal and installation.
Since I have to redo coplanar and align cutter head I guess I will simply reference outfeed to cutterhead and lower outfeed table the suggested depth (will have to revisit the suggested depth for outfeed table being lower than cutters). And then using outfeed as reference to the infeed table to make all coplanar
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Let's be clear on alignment of tables. Almost all jointers have table that will adjust up or down with a hand wheels or lever.
Using them is perfectly ok and should not affect the coplaner of the tables. One might be higher or lower but still in the same or very close plane.
Jointers with Dt ways are not really meant to be adjusted with shims but can be as a last resort.
The Dj jointers with cams in the corners can be adjusted if they need but only if you have a good straight edge and clear picture of what going on.
What type of jointer do you have Holbs.
 
#7 ·
Ok I know exactly what that is. I had one about ten years ago with a helical Head it had six rows of nine total 54 inserts.
What you want to do is to just snug up the gib screw with the jam nut. It should be tight but not so tight you cannot move the table up or down.
That should bring the tables back into alignment just like they were set up at the factory.If it doesn't you might have gotten some crud in the ways it doesn't take much to goof up the fit.
If that goes well raise up the outfeed so it just barely touches the bottom of a ruler on the heads highest side.
Then shim up the lowest side of the heads bearing block.
The jointer I had there was a nut that I could loosen and slip shims under.
Here's a pic that shows gib screws with jam nut adjust both carefully.
Good Luck
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#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
I too am installing a shelix cutterhead on my 8" jointer with dovetail ways. I was going to shim the cutterhead to the infeed table to align the cutterhead with the infeed table and then shim the outfeed table to the infeed table to align the two tables. Am I correct in thinking that I don't want to shim the infeed table because it moves up and down. This makes sense to me to do it this way. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you in advance.
 
#11 ·
sorry for not replying, Aj2, back in 2019 :) Once I reset my infeed/outfeed tables with gib screws and jam nut, the thing came to be 99.9% coplaner by default. Must of had one of the screws too tight or something.
 
#12 ·
sorry for not replying, Aj2, back in 2019 :) Once I reset my infeed/outfeed tables with gib screws and jam nut, the thing came to be 99.9% coplaner by default. Must of had one of the screws too tight or something.

- Holbs
Excellent Mr Holbs :) sometimes just cleaning out years of dust and gunk is all ones needs to do. If it's a new jointer and the tables are out of alignment well that's a drag.:(

Good Luck
 
#14 ·
It doesn't take much to throw off the alignment on a newer style dovetail jointer. Esp if it's used & some handling of the jointer from the ends of the tables will do it.
Might just need cleaning of the ways you want any dirt of wood chips in there. Keep that in mind if properly tightened gibs doesn't do it.
Shims are very last resort.

Good Luck
 
#15 ·
It doesn't take much to throw off the alignment on a newer style dovetail jointer. Esp if it's used & some handling of the jointer from the ends of the tables will do it.
Might just need cleaning of the ways you want any dirt of wood chips in there. Keep that in mind if properly tightened gibs doesn't do it.
Shims are very last resort.

Good Luck

Thanks Aj

- Aj2
 
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