Replies

1. 
   wchips | Mar 15, 2005 08:53pm | #1

         I use a magnetic jig to set my jointer knives. I do not rember the name of it ,I think i bought it from Woodworkers Supply. It works better than anything else i have tried. You do have to be careful to get knife you are setting at top dead center though                                                       

                                                                     Have a good day.Lee

    

                                                                              

2. 
   DonC | Mar 15, 2005 09:49pm | #2

   I also use the same jig as Lee. I had to grind my open end wrench so that it's outside shape did not hit the bottom of the knife groove and push up (induce torque) on the gib while tightening. This grinding operation is required for both 8 inch Powermatic and Delta jointers.

   I also use the magnetic devices for setting knives in a Parks 12 planer.

3. 
   MHBurton | Mar 15, 2005 11:04pm | #3

   I use a dial indicator with a flat contact button on it and a magnetic base that will stick to the bed surface. It takes a little time but with practice I can do it pretty quickly. I generally can set them to within 1/2 thousandth of an inch reliably without any trouble.

   Michael Burton
   Thunderbird Hardwoods
   Kiln Dried Mesquite Lumber
   Llano, TX

1. 
   RickL | Mar 16, 2005 02:39am | #5

   I find the magnetic bases are not really useful for setting knives and such. My base can straddle planer heads or be used to set jointer knives and all the rolls on a planer. The smaller tripod base works on heads smaller than 3". I can set 4 blades on a 20" jointer within .0005" in less than 1/2 hour. I prefer to use a 1/2" convex button tip for general use.

   
1. 
   Bioman | Mar 16, 2005 03:05am | #7

   Rick, where do you get a gauge like that, it looks like it is made for metalworking equipment.

1. 
   RickL | Mar 16, 2005 10:51am | #10

   No longer available but it was specifically designed for setting woodworking machinery. The base would have no real use in the metal working industry. I did set up and repair professionally and still do part time on the side.

2. 
   Peter36 | Mar 16, 2005 12:45pm | #11

   Hello Rick. Are these the only tools that you would use to set up jointer knives? How would you actually hold the knife in place while you tighten it? Have you ever measured the accuracy of a magnetic knife setting jig, like what you could buy at Lee Valley?  Thanks for your time.   Peter

1. 
   Alphonse | Mar 16, 2005 02:01pm | #12

   You addressed Rick,but here's my comments.I use about the same rig he mentioned,an indicator and tripod.It's fast,fairly easy once you understand where the gib screws will allow you to slip the knife in the slot without changing elevation when you tighten.You needn't worry about TDC too much if you have the domed indicator tip.

         I did have a Magna-set back when they first came out,and it is pretty quick,but not accurate,at least to me.

   Any method seems to involve possibly grinding a custom wrench,no biggie.

2. 
   RickL | Mar 16, 2005 03:33pm | #14

   You simply tighten the outer most gib screws to hold the knife in place. Just enough to keep gravity from pulling the knife down. Typically I work the knife down as many heads don't have adjusters so it's just simpler for me to work all the heads that way in general. I lightly tap the knife into position with a small piece of wood. It doesn't hurt the knife edge.

   I find the magnaset is quite a bit off but I don't think it's a real big deal. I've also measured the knives just before changing them and it's not uncommon to have the tips blunted by 30  to 40 thousandths so if one knife is a bit high it will be level to the next knife shortly.

4. 
   MarkRD | Mar 16, 2005 02:29am | #4

   A good thread on Tool talk...

   http://forums.taunton.com/n/main.asp?webtag=tp-tooltalk&ctx=search&o=relevance&af=10000&be=0&f=this&qu=jointer+knives&Go=Search

   Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   Bioman | Mar 16, 2005 03:03am | #6

   Excellent set of posts, thanks.....

5. 
   cicero | Mar 16, 2005 03:19am | #8

   I use magnetic jigs for planer,my Wadkin buzzer(jointer) has scews in the head,permitting the knives to be moved up and down via screwdriver.

6. 
   KeithNewton | Mar 16, 2005 04:41am | #9

   I use a dial indicator when I pull the knives, but I will usually hone the knives at least four times before pulling them again.
   My 12" jointer has 4 knives, and I can move the outfeed bed back out of the way, and use a little wooden wedge between the infeed table and the knife to hold the head so that the knife is at the top, or heighest point of its arc. I then hone the top secondary bevel with a medium then fine diamond hones that I glued wooden handles onto. This only takes about 20 minutes start to finish. When I pull them and grind, hone and replace always takes a couple of hours.

7. 
   RandMCapozzi | Mar 16, 2005 03:30pm | #13

   I use the stick method for my jointer. Not as fancy as using a dial indicator or magnetic knife jig but I find it easier to get consistant results on the knife heights.

   --Rob

8. 
   JerryPacMan | Mar 16, 2005 04:26pm | #15

   Use the wood stick method described in the link below.  It is very accurate, fast and easy to do.  I used a stick about 12" long and put some lines on the stick 1/8" apart.  I line up a mark with the end of the outfeed table then I can tell how much the stick moves.  I will never use my jointer knife setup jig again.  Try it as it will not cost anything.  If it does not work for you buy a gauge or setting jig.

   http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/settingjointerknives.pdf

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

1. 
   Sancho | Mar 16, 2005 05:30pm | #16

   For jointers... I use a piece of glass on the outfeed table and adj the blades....

   works for me 

    

    

    

    

    

    

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