adjusting/changing planer knifes

[Trace]

Hi,

I recently aquired a 1984 Delta RC-51 Planer at an auction and am trying to get it going.  I am new to planers, especially large ones like this.

The machine powers up and everything seems to work, however it appears to need some adjustment.  For one thing, the knives are very dull and look out of alignment.  It seems I need the knives to be correct before trying other adjustments.  The planer did not come with the knife gauge and so I have no idea what hight to set the knives at.  I have been unable to locate another gauge online. I am about to order some magnetic gauges to do the job, but need to know what hight above the cutter head the knives should be.  

Is there a general rule of thumb? Does anyone own one of these that could provide some help? Is there a better way to go about this?

I have downloaded the owner's manual from vintagemachinery.org, but it simply says to use the guage that came with it, nothing else.

Any and all suggestions are appreiated,

Thanks

[drzaius]

Head over to http://owwm.org/ where they have all sorts of help for old woodworking machines. If you join, be sure to read the rules before posting cause I've heard they can get cranky if you break them. Good luck.

[Damon777]

Check the Vintage Machinery Wiki (The Articles and Resources tab). Lots of info on adjusting knives there.

Here's a link to some videos:

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Jointer And Planer Knife Setting Videos.ashx

 

Owwm is a fine place, just don't ask for an appraisal, and don't ask about Asian machines.

[Coop]

12 minutes ago, Damon777 said:

Check the Vintage Machinery Wiki (The Articles and Resources tab). Lots of info on adjusting knives there.

Here's a link to some videos:

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Jointer And Planer Knife Setting Videos.ashx

 

Owwm is a fine place, just don't ask for an appraisal, and don't ask about Asian machines.

Sounds like experience talking? 

[Damon777]

Nah, I've been a member over there for years. I have learned vicariously from others.

[Tom King]

If you need to get sharp knives in before you get an answer over there, notice the projection from the gib to the heel of the bevel on a knife.   Add 3 or 4 thousandths to take, and it should work fine.

[Trace]

Guys,

Thanks for the great advise. I did a quick search at owwm and it turns out someone else asked the same question about the same machine a few years ago. There was some helpful info there. The vintage machinery link was also helpful.

Tom, I was wondering if something like that would work, just to get by for now, but was a little hesitant, not knowing how much to add. Glad to know that it’s a sound idea after all, and thanks for giving me a number to work with.