Newbie jointer question

You could check the relationship between the table and the blades, across the width of the table.

Use a straight edge- 2 ft level or similar, and set it on the outfeed table- near the fence- so that it over hangs the opening between the infeed and outfeed tables. Rotate the cutter head by hand and see if any of the blades hit the underside of the straight edge. Adjust the outfeed table so that the blades just kiss the underside of the straight edge. Now, move the straight edge across the table so it is positioned near the blade guard. (It is helpful to clamp the blade guard “open” for the entire setup process). Rotate the cutter head by hand again. If everything is parallel, the blades should just kiss the underside of the straight edge on this side of the table, also.

If you find that the blades touch on one side but not the other and that the two tables are parallel. Then the blades need readjusted. There are several web sites that discuss how to setup jointer blades. I found several when Googling “setting up jointer blades”.

Lew

Thanks Lew

I adjusted the blades but am still getting the offset. I then set the depth to zero, so the infeed and outfeed tables should be even. They are at the fence side, but the infeed is a bit lower on the other side. Now trying to figure out how to adjust the jointer bed.

Pitt

Pitt, if the jointer is new and the tables aren’t level, I’d take it back to the merchant and get another one. That one may have been dropped or something. Like Lew said, if you checked the blades and they’re adjusted correctly, something is out of wack that you could spend a lot of time trying to fix.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

thanks – I think I’ll do that

Hmmm . . . I believe that a few other Jocks has similar probles with Delta jointers. If you search the site you may find it. Better yet . . . do like tim said . . . return it for another.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Pitt,

Just spent some time at http://www.dewaltservicenet.com/ . You need to sign up but it is free. I looked up your jointer and there doesn’t seem to be any “normal” adjustments for this. However, from the exploded view, it appears that the supports holding the infeed and outfeed tables are bolted through the sides of the jointer. Perhaps they could be loosened and the adjustments made that way.

Time had a good point. If it is new, maybe you should contact the vendor for a replacement.

Lew

My thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Everything was tight – I think returning it is the best option. Any suggestions on something a step up from this? I’ve also struggled with the age-old question of jointer v. planer…

Pitt

Pitt, I am not sure where you are located but if I was going to buy another jointer, I would look here first http://www.grizzly.com/products/searchresults.aspx?q=jointer.

Grizzly sells some good stuff at a great price.

As far as jointer vs. planer, you can plane on a jointer and joint on a planer. It just takes extra steps when you only have one and there are a few size constraints for your materials.

Lew

I’d vote for Grizzly as well. I have their 6” jointer and it works great.

-- Bruce from Central New York

You mentioned Delta benchtop jointer…is it the variable speed model ? if so , get your money back and step up to ANYTHING else…Stupid me kept mine long enough ( warrantee expired ) and made countless adjustments to try to get it to do what we buy jointers for , all the while blaming my newbe self for the problems only to find out that it was / is a piece of junk and doesn’t even make a good boat anchor (I’ve tried it ) I bought mine at least 10 years ago and I can’t believe they still keep making them with out fixing the problems !!! It has been collecting dust now for about 9 years I guess. I was going to tag sale it , but I’d hate to know that someone else would be cursing me for selling it to them .

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

Yeah, I’ve been eyeing a 6” grizzly. There’s a tent sale in September, too.

-- Made lots of sawdust and pounded some nails. Haven't finished anything, though.

I got my 8” one at a grizz sale.. It was a great deal,, next itme I have to change the blades, I may upgrade to the spiral cutter heads…

-- making sawdust....

I saw another review like this that I read mabye its a a maufacture problems you can see it here

-- Tyler, Illinois

Thanks all. I returned the jointer and bought a planer instead – love it