Mzdadoc Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Hopefully picking up a used Jet jointer tomorrow but I've been reading all these tidbits about jointers. My beginner knowledge says it seems pretty simple but with what I've read it is sounding more difficult. What am I missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Won't know till you get it in your shop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I think we need more specific questions before we can give you any answers. There are a lot of videos out there online for free about both calibrating a jointer and about how to use them safely and properly. Start there would be the only advice I can give right now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Read the manual and take your time. It's not that it's hard to set up, just fussy. At least that is what I found. Marc has a good video on setting up a jointer on his site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Work diligently on the set up and make sure everything is properly aligned and worked as intended. Make sure everything that's supposed to be tight is before you ever apply power to the unit. Remember it's much easier to take multiple shallow passes than to have to pay for a hefty repair because you tried to do too much too fast or were impatient. Most of all, remember to enjoy the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted August 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Bought a Craigslist Jet jointer. I've spent quite a few hours cleaning, adjusting, and replacing the knives and putting a link belt on it. I'm not totally happy with all my adjustments yet. When I loosen the lock down for the fence angle I can get it exactly 90 degrees but as soon as I tighten it then it goes off a few thousandths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Clean off surface grit, and remove any staples, nails, etc before jointing. It may sound obvious, but when I got my new (used) jointer, a friend came over and I was explaining what each of my tools did. I grabbed a piece of scrap 2x4, to run through the jointer. I grabbed a ratty old piece because I wanted to show how the jointer takes an uneven face and makes it nice and straight and clean. Must have had a big grain of sand or a small pebble or something, because I nicked a blade. Didn't get a lot of use from that jointer before I had to replace the blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 When you say "a few thousandths", how many are you talking about? Chip offers sound advice as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Some jointers have a micro adjustment in the form of a hexbolt on the fence where it pivots from. Make sure this is properly tightened as well if present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted August 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 I'm guessing a few thousandths but I can see light through my square. I'm going to spend some more time on it tonight while my wife is at work. I know about chipped blades. Just replaced the ones on my planer cuz the previous owner found something hard. I just called that line a sanding guide....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 You can see light through a gap only .001 or .002" wide. I call that close enough for wood that's gonna move anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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