I have read in several
places and different forums where people are expressing different
problems with jointers. The number one problem is boards tapering,
people are asking how do I solve this problem? And how do I
go about it. So I thought that I would address this issue because
there are many different items for sale that really don't work.
Magnets being the chief culprit. When setting up any machine,
the first question that should be asked is what is the datum.
A datum is a specific surface line plane, or feature assumed
to be perfect. On a jointer the out feed table is the datum
not the cutter head. So magnets that hold the cutters to the
cutter head don't work. So here is a sure-fire way of making
sure that it is straight: The gauge will be discussed later.
After the new knives or sharpened knives are installed place
the gauge on the out feed table and rotate the cutter head to
find the highest edge. Then the knives will have to be raised
or the highest one lowered until they read zero or the same
number. Then the gauge can be set to zero or re-zeroed at any
time. (Figure 1) The gauge is then moved to the other side of
the table, and the knives need to be adjusted to zero just like
the other side. (Figure 2) Things change as one side is raised
or lowered, the process will need to be repeated several times
until all the knives are at zero at both ends. Place the gauge
on the out feed table and set the indicator to zero. Slide the
gauge over the knives and raise or lower the out feed table
until it goes to the same zero that was set on the table. The
cutting edge should be the exact height as the out feed table
now. Your jointer now should be set for you. If you would like
to set the in feed table height, now is a good time. 1/64 =.015
on the gauge. 1/32=.031 and 1/16=.062. So you can set you're
in feed table to take whatever amount you wish. If you would
like to buy a gauge it is called Oneway Multi Gauge and it can
be found in the Woodcraft Catalog for $79.99. I am sure that
it can be found in other catalogs. If you want to make one,
the body can be made out of wood and the indicator can be purchased
from Enco. Their telephone number is 1-800-use-enco and the
web address is www. Use-enco.com. The indicator number is 605-4080
for $11.95. A little better indicator is 605-4074 for $17.95.
They are found on page 303 and 304 of their master catalog.
I use a Starrett half-inch flat point, part number pt06632/3
and the epd number is 70791. You will have to go to a local
Starrett dealer to order this point I did find a 3/8 flat point
at Enco #605-4576 for $3.43, but I have never used it so I don't
know for sure. Other uses for this gauge see figure 3, setting
tablesaw blade heights and figure 4, setting router bit heights.
The indicator can be screwed to a piece of wood and clamped
to a miter gauge and used to indicate in the slots in a tablesaw.
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