Ridgid jointer vibration issue

make sure the machine is siting flat and not rocking on the floor. then check your pulley alignment by hoilding a straight edge agaisnt both of them at the same time they should contact the straight edge evenly if not you can pull and push the pulleys into alignment. Then while you got the belt off check it for cracks or excessive set if its bad go ahead and upgrade to the link style they last forever. then if it still vibrates try adding wieght to the machine some bags of sand or concrete in the base. as far as buying a new belt just take the old one to a auto store they will measure it and give a new one or upgrade and use the old one as a guide as far as how many links to use

-- As Best I Can

I would guess the pulley alignment as well. I have the same machine and it just hums with no discernible vibration.

If those suggestions don’t work then you may have some pulleys that are not concentric and then I would go with machined pulleys and a link belt. One other thing you may check is lay a straight edge across the bed and measure the run out on the cutter head.

-- www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

I have the same jointer. If everything else checks out get a link belt. I just put one on mine and it made a huge difference.

Remove the belt and “run” the motor to check for vibration caused by the motor.

-- Carl in SC

Check list—-
check to make sure you are not missing any screws or parts that secure a blade
chips in a blade
take off the belt and inspect
run the motor without the belt
hand turn the blade assembly without the belt to see if there is a “catch” or “tick” in a bearing

If everything seems good, replace the blades – both of them or all three, never just one.

These should tell you where the problem exists
Wear full face shield and a thick apron while doing this – if a blade is not secured or out of balance something could get thrown out and be very dangerous.

-- David in Damascus, MD

If I replace the belt, are they pretty universal other than length?

Vrtigo1—That’s one of the beauties of link belts … you can make it any length you need.

—Gerry

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Good suggestions. First thought was that I wonder if one of the blades/knives weighs a few grams more than the other two.

I’m betting belt, too.

The idea of removing it, and seeing if that solves the problem is spot on.

There are different profiles of link belt, but … bringing the old one with you, or … simply having it in front of you (for online ordering) should be all you need to do.

It’s my plan to put link belts on all the tools in my shop that will accept them.

When I get around to it, of course ;-)

-- -- Neil

Link belts at harbor freight any good?

When I bought my small jointer, I bought used. The guy that I bought it from had a chipped blade and only sharpend the one blade. These have to be matched or it can get dicy.

-- David in Damascus, MD

Vrtigo1—I think the HF link belts are OK … I replaced the belt on my bandsaw with a HF link belt, and it performs just fine.

—Gerry

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

The HF belt worked well for me.

Without actually seeing the jointer I think the pulley alignment shouldn’t cause vibration, although stamped pulleys will. They can be balanced if you are patient. If you want to know how PM me and I’ll go thru the steps with you, it would save you some money over machined pulleys.

Replace the belt especially if it has a chunk out of it. I don’t know anything about the HF belts other than they are about 10 percent less than the cost of the name brands. I know there are some on this board that knock HF just because. To each their own!

-- BobG, Lowell, Arkansas--------My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am! Make more saw dust!!