Quickest ever jointer knife change
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Friend loaned me a knife height setting tool. It is a dial indicator mounted on a sled that sets on the jointer table. If (1)one starts with the knife too high and (2)a means to know how much too high is provided and (3)a means of following how high as the knife is tapped lower...... then setting will be easy and quick. The device pictured below provides these capabilities.
1. Set cutter head at top dead center. My jointer has in indexing pin for this task.
2.Set the dial indicator at zero on the knife tip. Picture 1
3. Remove first knife.
4. Replace with new knife and snug, not too tight, the nuts holding the knife. Knife must start a bit higher than final height.
5. Place dial indicator over knife tip. Picture 2. In this case the knife is 0.010" too high.
6. Using a stick tap down the knife until dial indicator reads zero.
7. Move to other end of knife and repeat.
8. Tighten nuts holding knife in place.
If the knife starts too heigh it may be necessary to tap the knife down in stages alternating ends of the knife.
The device shown has some flaws. The sled needs to be more narrow so that it can be positioned closer to the knife end. The dial indicator needs to be rotated 90 degrees, again so the indicating pin can be set closer to the edge. My son in law needs to change knives....the one with the 3D printer. Do you see where this is headed:)