Replies

1. 
   MRGreer | Jul 24, 2006 05:30pm | #1

   I don't have the same jointer, so I don't have first hand knowledge, however, if you don't use the screws to support the knife, my educated guess is that with continued use the knife will slip slightly and you will loose the "tune" in your jointer.  There are two mechanisms for a reason, one to maintain the knife height and the other to clamp the knife in place.  I suggest you use both.  Keep in mind that as the jointer knife rotates upward to take a cut on a board there is considerable downward pressure on the knife.  Just my $0.02

    

2. 
   RickL | Jul 24, 2006 06:13pm | #2

   Don't worry about the height adjusters not touching the knives. I gave up using them after doing so many jointer heads that didn't have any adjustment for the knives. You can always raise the adjuster to the knife bottom if it really bugs you that they might be flopping around.   I typically set them high and adjust them down with a special indicator set up. There's lots of ways folks adjust their knives. Changing them more often is better than not enough and you will be more proficient at it.

   http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-572604587960322121&hl=en

   
   

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   Edited 7/24/2006 12:27 pm ET by RickL

3. 
   JohnWW | Jul 24, 2006 11:40pm | #3

   The adjusters aren't needed for setting up with a magnetic jig, so the easiest thing to do is just take the adjusters out of their holes and put them away in a drawer.

   John White Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine.

1. 
   dgreen | Jul 25, 2006 12:31am | #4

   As I slap myself in the forehead! Seems so obvious! I'm going to do that on my next knife change, when I think of all the time spent futzing with getting those &%&^% screws all set! Thanks , you made my day!!
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb