JoeN Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Any advise would be much appreciated: I picked up a Powermatic 54A thinking it would be an upgrade to an older grizzly with shorter beds. After about a 6 months or so it was time to get new blades. I ordered certified powermatic parts online and when I received them I found that there is nothing quick about the quickset blades. They were out and adjusting them is an absolute nightmare. First, the cam screw that adjusts the leveling of the blade has too much slop in it. After brining the blade level, I try to tighten the set screws holding the chip breaker(?) on. Every time I do this the blades shift. Holy crap this is frustrating. Second major issue with this is the outfeed table. It will not budge. I can not raise or lower it. The instructions say remove the gib screw, adjust hand lever and then table should move. Half a can of penetrating oil later, still nothing. I don't want to remove the bolts aligning the table as I don't have the high quality straight edge to true the infeed and outfeed tables back up. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I seriously think I'm about to loose my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rodger. Posted May 12, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Before I upgraded to a shelix head, I used this technique and jig all the time. Worked great for me! http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/video/jointer-knife-setting-jig.aspx 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 46 minutes ago, Pug said: Before I upgraded to a shelix head, I used this technique and jig all the time. Worked great for me! http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/video/jointer-knife-setting-jig.aspx That's pretty cool Pug. I usually use a dial indicator to set my blades and it is a pita! Did you use any certain technique to find TDC doing it this way ? The video assumes that part is on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Before I left knives behind forever I used plate glass and rare earth magnets. Works well, I still do it for dad now and again on his old Delta. If the knife sharpening, setting and replacement cost doesn't drive you to a new jointer just wait till you have to align tables on a dovetail-way machine. The combination of those two factors eased me into a new machine as soon as I was able. Till then , , , , 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 2 hours ago, JoeN said: After brining the blade level, I try to tighten the set screws holding the chip breaker(?) on. Every time I do this the blades shift. This is normal for every jointer with flat knives. Easiest way to deal with it is to get them a little tight (they will shift on you, almost always in the upward direction) then using a scrap piece of hardwood and a mallet give them a couple of wacks to get them back down to where they should be. Then continue tightening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 I use the "Jointer Pal" which is basically a commercial version of the jigs described above. I bought mine at Woodcraft Here is a video where Marc describes that jig and how to use it http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/jointer-setup/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinp2 Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Jointer Pal user here too... never had any issues doing it with that jig. Best $30 I've spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 If something doesn't work, replace it. Get the bigger thing, no regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 16 hours ago, Janello said: That's pretty cool Pug. I usually use a dial indicator to set my blades and it is a pita! Did you use any certain technique to find TDC doing it this way ? The video assumes that part is on you. What does TDC stand for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 27 minutes ago, Pug said: What does TDC stand for? Top Dead Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wareaglewoodworker Posted May 21, 2016 Report Share Posted May 21, 2016 Nice to know what I have to look forward to. I plan on upgrading to the helix head sooner rather than later but I might have to go with quickset knife replacements the first time around. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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