Something doesn’t look quite right here…
I’ve had this 6 inch craftsman brand jointer for a while now. For the longest time I wasn’t albe to work on it. I actually didn’t really UNDERSTAND the workings of the jointers. Mechanism wise. Well, today I jumped in with both feet and learned a couple things.
I knew that the screw mechanism raised and lowered the table sides, and I had also been told recently to just flip the jointer over to see the jointers workings. I started out by lowering the table as far as I could. It jammed up several times. Achems razor declaired the best bet was that there was something jamming the main screw. So I thought I would worry it back and forth, applying oil to loosen it was I went.
Suddenly there was a loud clank in the tub I was using to catch shavings.
I found this doo-hick laying on the ground. Ugh oh…. So, I took of the fence, the motor, and horsed the jointer upside down. Thank goodness the feet didn’t slip as I was lowering it. Thing weighs a ton…
Looking at the underside… epiphany! (My joiner must be so embaressed to show it’s privates…)
The set bolt goes on the main screw. It must have worked itself loose, and my ministrations to the screw must have worked it loose. VERY luck for me, because if the set bolt hadn’t fallen off, I may not have flipped the jointer. It was nothing to screw the bolt back in place, and I used the one on the other table screw to judge where it went.
Afterwards I flipped the jointer back up. My back and elbow still hurt. Of course, this time the feet slid. Ouch. Low and behold though, the infeed table now raised and lowered now, smooth as silk. I can even get the tables level now, something that was impossible before I started.
I’m pretty sure I got the outfeed table set right.
Here’s the rough pine I tested the jointer one. Turned out pretty well!
As another LumberJock always says, “If sawdust (or in this case shavings) where gold…”
Lastly, and this is actually almost the most important thing I learned today, USE PUSH PADS WITH A JOINTER!! Not only is there the safety factor, but MAN, I can JOINT WOOD! It ACTUALLLY WORKED! I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with this jointer. NOT ANYMORE! I was doing one pass flattening at the end. WOW… :-)
Here’s was I was using…
Don’t fear the jointer, man!
-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...
6 comments so far
lew
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8989 posts in 1927 days
#1 posted 1454 days ago
Anytime you can get something running, it’s a good thing!
Take this for what it’s worth, make yourself a push stick style jointer safety device. There are a bunch here at LJ projects. They will not slip as easily as push pads and give you a little more control
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
Jeff
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95 posts in 1470 days
#2 posted 1454 days ago
Great blog! It seems intimidating to start taking apart your tools, but sometimes that’s the best way to really learn how they work and understand WHY it does what it does when you turn a knob or flip a switch.
-- - In the end, everything will be okay. If it isn't okay, it isn't the end yet.
TraumaJacques
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433 posts in 1672 days
#3 posted 1454 days ago
Push pads are the bomb I never start the jointer without them at reach. Thanks for posting.
-- All bleeding will eventually stop.
Milo
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802 posts in 1491 days
#4 posted 1454 days ago
I’m STILL hoping to find plans for a home made blade guard, PARTICULARLY the hinge assembly. I may have found a lead over at OWWM, but it hasn’t quite panned out yet.
If you have any ideas, please let know.
-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...
chickenhelmet
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99 posts in 1484 days
#5 posted 1453 days ago
Nice post. I’m a beginner and can be intimidated by my tools. When I bought my table saw I had never even touched one. The guy says “just needs to be tuned up”. Jumped in and found there wasn’t that much to it. Nothing better than the feeling of breathing life back into an older machine. I’m lovin’ it! Thanks for the post.
-- Larry , Colorado www.coloradorecordcrates.com
stefang
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9506 posts in 1506 days
#6 posted 1453 days ago
I saw a home made blade guard in a recent issue of Fine Woodworking magazine. Try to picture the following.
1. A board about 3-1/2” wide and 15” long standing on edge. This piece gets clamped to your jointer fence parallel with the fence.
2. In in the middle of the first piece is a board the length of your cutter head. This board has a tenon that fits into a mortise in the middle lower part of the first piece, with the mortise length being horizontal in the first piece. The widthe of the 2nd board is then covering the cutter head.
Kind of a long explanation, but I hope it’s clear.
-- Mike, American in Norway
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