Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 19, 2002 09:06am | #1

   Chris,

   I really don't think this is a DIY job, especially on such a fine piece of machinery.  Without heating the cast iron, you're sure to break it and heating is bound to warp the table.  Unless you really need it for rabbetting, just leave it alone.  If you do need that feature, remove the entire infeed table and bring it to a reputable machine shop to have them make the repair and do any necessary milling.

   Jeff

2. 
   riverr1 | Sep 20, 2002 10:18pm | #2

   A couple of things. Does the table slide on gibbs? Quality machines are made with wear plates on the gibbs. You may just need to replace them. Pretty simple operation and if you can't find any, any decent machine shop can treat some O or W steel for you. I would't use A or S. Just my preference though.

   The second option would be to remove the tables and take them to a machine shop that has a blanchard grinder and get them ground flat. Last time I did this, blancard time was going for about $90 an hour, but there was a $125 shop min. If the tables need other then standard blocking for the magnet, you can save some cash and fabricate the blocking yourself. If you are not sure what a blanchard is, call shops and find one, and then go take a look. You'll understand immediately how this grinder will fix those tables. It's this grinder that makes the big swirl marks on casting and plates. The use of those swirls gets involved in any machinist here would like to pipe in and explain better then I could.

   Don

   
   

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   Edited 9/20/2002 3:21:08 PM ET by Don C.

1. 
   rslatm | Sep 22, 2002 02:58am | #3

   Gee Don hate to nit pick but on jointers that have gibs and dovetailed ways holding the tables to the base you have to blanchard grind the whole machine, tables attached, or you will have two flat tables that will be even farther out of alignment. There's exceptions on different table mounting styles but I won't get into it here. Blanchard grinding is a bit more involved than punking a piece of metal down and turning on the magnet. That magnet exerts a powerful pull and will change the shape of things. So if you grind something without the proper shimming it will be just as distorted as it started when the magnet is released and you risk making it too thin to grind anymore off.

   Rick

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 22, 2002 03:43am | #4

   Rick,

   I'm not a machinist but I don't see the problems you do. Block it into a sine plate and grind. As far as the magnet effect goes, my experience is the talent of the operator deals with this. Depending on the size and angle of the table was what I was thinking about with saving some $$$ by making that (the blocking) up himself. Heck, if that doesn't work, then surface grind it flat. Then again, maybe I misunderstand what he is after all together. Wouldn't be the first time

   Don

   Edited 9/21/2002 8:45:30 PM ET by Don C.

1. 
   rslatm | Sep 22, 2002 01:44pm | #5

   Don

   I've got a good blanchard grinder near me who has done a fair share of jointer table grinding and I've been doing more machine repairs and metal working than actual woodworking to make a living. The only way to resurface a jointer with dovetailed table ways is to do it as a whole unit. I shouldn't say the only way but economically using the base as the fixture is the simplest solution and as far as I know it's how the manufacturers do it. I've probably had a dozen jointers resurfaced over the years from Delta, Powermatic, Oliver and Crescents. Most jointers are precision ground which is a linear finish as opposed to the circular pattern of a blanchard grind. I'd have to travel quite a distance to find a company with a big enough precision grinder to do jointer tables.

   Rick

   Edited 9/22/2002 8:30:04 AM ET by rsl

   Edited 9/22/2002 8:30:50 AM ET by rsl

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 22, 2002 05:05pm | #6

   Wow! Can't say I've ever seen a flat grind machine of that size! But then again, we're not talking about planer blades here are we! haha

   Don

2. 
   Cameron7140 | Sep 23, 2002 05:14am | #7

   Thanks to you and rls. I think I'll use the jointer a little more to see if I really need to fix it. I think I would need to straighten the infeed table and then mill it or I'd loose too much thickness.

3. 
   riverr1 | Sep 23, 2002 06:43am | #8

   Chris,

   You know, a jointer would probably be one of the easiest shop machines to add a hardened 3/16 or 1/4 inch plate to if it came to that.

   Don

4. 
   Cameron7140 | Oct 07, 2002 06:35am | #9

   Possibly the best idea yet! Thanks.

3. 
   travbickel | Oct 07, 2002 03:06pm | #10

   Try this - it may or may not help: http://www.oldwwmachines.com/FAQ/JointerTune.asp