Hi all. I’m new to the forums, a fairly novice woodworker. Just bought a vintage 1950s-era 6″ jointer. American made, heavy and solid, bearings good, in and out feed tables seem true. I just had the blade resharpened. But I’m getting really bad snipe on every pass. Anywhere from an inch to 4 inches long and 1/16 inch or more deep. I’m ruining a lot of hardwood!
Could I have improperly reinstalled the blades after sharpening?
Any ideas on how to alleviate this problem?
Also, try as I might, I’m having a hard time getting this antique fence to be perfectly square. I get it perfect, but when I tighten the clamps it inevitable changes by a degree or two. Any ideas on this one, too?
Thanks much. I’m stumped.
John in PA
Replies
Check the outfeed table height to be dead level with the edge of the knives when they are at the top of their rotation.
jdg
Thanks! I'll try it. This makes sense now that I think of it since the snipe problem has all been since I replaced the blades after having them sharpened.
None,
There are a few things that may be causing your fence alignment dilemma - all of which are easily remedied.
Check the surfaces of the clamps, and also the surface of what its being clamped to. Normally something like this is caused by a metal burr or a build up of wood residue between the mating surfaces. All of your careful measurements and alignment will be thrown off at the last second as things are tightened down. Carefully wipe down the mechanism's surfaces with denatured alcohol. This will remove lubricant, so be sure to reapply some before you're finished. (Use a dry lube - something that won't attract dust. WD40 won't cut it in the long run, and is only a temporary fix.)
If you find a burr, lightly bring it down with a few passes of a mill bastard file, and then attempt to align the fence again.
Another culprit, especially with a machine of this age, would be a worn out part, or a part that has worked itself loose over time. Go over the machine with the appropriate tools (e.g. wrench, screw driver, etc...) and make sure that everything is secure. With this done, set up the fence again, and if it's still being thrown off, grab each moving part and see if there's any play in the mechanism. (Bolts can be worn out, or the angle stop is either loose or bent.)
If there is any paint between the pieces, scrape it down and remove as much as you can.
If after all this, it still won't stay put. Bolt on any auxiliary fence to the metal one, and shim into perfect alignment.
Definitely send me any questions that you may have.
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
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