Jointer: Bad Vibration
Is the precision of your jointer being impacted by bad vibration? Check for damage or wear and tear on the following parts: the belt, pulley, bearings, and bars. Try completing the repair yourself by following our expert troubleshooting guide. Refer to your owner's manual for detailed instructions on your model.
Bearings
A bearing is a round, wheel-like device used to reduce friction, bear stress and enable movement in the form of a linear motion or rotational. Worn bearings inside the cutter head will cause a bad vibration. To replace these bearings, begin by removing the guard, fence and the belt. Remove the bolts underneath that hold the cutter blade in place and slide out. Place the cutter head assembly into a block, or bench vice, with the soft jaws attached to avoid damage. Use a puller to remove the bearings.
When installing new bearings onto the shaft, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, you can keep it in the bench vice and use a socket big enough that only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid any damage. Tap it in to place with the hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back...
When installing new bearings onto the shaft, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, you can keep it in the bench vice and use a socket big enough that only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid any damage. Tap it in to place with the hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back...
A bearing is a round, wheel-like device used to reduce friction, bear stress and enable movement in the form of a linear motion or rotational. Worn bearings inside the cutter head will cause a bad vibration. To replace these bearings, begin by removing the guard, fence and the belt. Remove the bolts underneath that hold the cutter blade in place and slide out. Place the cutter head assembly into a block, or bench vice, with the soft jaws attached to avoid damage. Use a puller to remove the bearings.
When installing new bearings onto the shaft, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, you can keep it in the bench vice and use a socket big enough that only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid any damage. Tap it in to place with the hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back on the jointer. Reinstall the belt and adjust to proper tension. Finally, reinstall the fence and guide.
When installing new bearings onto the shaft, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, you can keep it in the bench vice and use a socket big enough that only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid any damage. Tap it in to place with the hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back on the jointer. Reinstall the belt and adjust to proper tension. Finally, reinstall the fence and guide.
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Belts
Belts transfer power by riding on the pulleys. Worn, or stretched belts, can cause a vibration as they jump around and wobble. To check the condition of the belt, begin by removing any panels necessary to access the belt. Release tension on the belt by loosening the bolts on the motor, or for some units, it may have an idler pulley. With the belt off, check it for frays, cracking and uneven wear along the sides. Install a new belt, if needed, and tighten the tension on the belt by adjusting the motor. The belt’s tension should not defect more than a ¼ to a 3/8 of an inch.
Belts transfer power by riding on the pulleys. Worn, or stretched belts, can cause a vibration as they jump around and wobble. To check the condition of the belt, begin by removing any panels necessary to access the belt. Release tension on the belt by loosening the bolts on the motor, or for some units, it may have an idler pulley. With the belt off, check it for frays, cracking and uneven wear along the sides. Install a new belt, if needed, and tighten the tension on the belt by adjusting the motor. The belt’s tension should not defect more than a ¼ to a 3/8 of an inch.
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Pulleys
Pulleys are used for transferring power. Worn pulleys can cause a bad vibration on your jointer. To check the pulleys for wear, remove any panels necessary to access the pulleys. Remove the belt. Spin the pulley as you listen for roughness. Pulleys should spin smooth. Check the pulleys for play – there should be no movement within the pulley. If you have a bad pulley, you will have to replace it.
Removing the pulley will vary on models – some are held in place by a bolt and can be removed with two wrenches. Place one wrench behind, holding it still, and the other in front to remove the bolt. Some can be removed with an impact wrench while others may require the use of a puller. On some models, you may have a set screw and a keyway. Once off, install the new pulley in reverse procedure. For pulleys...
Removing the pulley will vary on models – some are held in place by a bolt and can be removed with two wrenches. Place one wrench behind, holding it still, and the other in front to remove the bolt. Some can be removed with an impact wrench while others may require the use of a puller. On some models, you may have a set screw and a keyway. Once off, install the new pulley in reverse procedure. For pulleys...
Pulleys are used for transferring power. Worn pulleys can cause a bad vibration on your jointer. To check the pulleys for wear, remove any panels necessary to access the pulleys. Remove the belt. Spin the pulley as you listen for roughness. Pulleys should spin smooth. Check the pulleys for play – there should be no movement within the pulley. If you have a bad pulley, you will have to replace it.
Removing the pulley will vary on models – some are held in place by a bolt and can be removed with two wrenches. Place one wrench behind, holding it still, and the other in front to remove the bolt. Some can be removed with an impact wrench while others may require the use of a puller. On some models, you may have a set screw and a keyway. Once off, install the new pulley in reverse procedure. For pulleys that were removed with a puller, you will reverse the tool to push the new pulley on to the shaft. Reinstall the belt, reapply the tension and reassemble any panels you may have removed to access the parts.
Removing the pulley will vary on models – some are held in place by a bolt and can be removed with two wrenches. Place one wrench behind, holding it still, and the other in front to remove the bolt. Some can be removed with an impact wrench while others may require the use of a puller. On some models, you may have a set screw and a keyway. Once off, install the new pulley in reverse procedure. For pulleys that were removed with a puller, you will reverse the tool to push the new pulley on to the shaft. Reinstall the belt, reapply the tension and reassemble any panels you may have removed to access the parts.
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Bars
Blade holders, or bars, hold the blades in place on the cutter head. A bent blade holder will cause a bad vibration. To remove and inspect the blade holder, remove the guard to access the blades, then turn the jack screws on the holder to loosen. Remove the blade assembly and separate the blade from the holder. Inspect both the holder and blade for damage. Since you have removed both, it is easier to replace the blades at this point should they be nicked or worn out. Inspect the bars for damage, such as bent, warped or anything else out of the ordinary that is causing a vibration.
Install the blade and bar back together, inside the jointer, and slightly tighten the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blades to the proper height, which you can do with a straight-edge placed on the out-feed table and over...
Install the blade and bar back together, inside the jointer, and slightly tighten the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blades to the proper height, which you can do with a straight-edge placed on the out-feed table and over...
Blade holders, or bars, hold the blades in place on the cutter head. A bent blade holder will cause a bad vibration. To remove and inspect the blade holder, remove the guard to access the blades, then turn the jack screws on the holder to loosen. Remove the blade assembly and separate the blade from the holder. Inspect both the holder and blade for damage. Since you have removed both, it is easier to replace the blades at this point should they be nicked or worn out. Inspect the bars for damage, such as bent, warped or anything else out of the ordinary that is causing a vibration.
Install the blade and bar back together, inside the jointer, and slightly tighten the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blades to the proper height, which you can do with a straight-edge placed on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade. You can also purchase a jointer jig tool to adjust the blades. Lay it on the out-feed table – the magnets will pull the blade up in the proper position. Lastly, tighten the jack screws.
Install the blade and bar back together, inside the jointer, and slightly tighten the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blades to the proper height, which you can do with a straight-edge placed on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade. You can also purchase a jointer jig tool to adjust the blades. Lay it on the out-feed table – the magnets will pull the blade up in the proper position. Lastly, tighten the jack screws.
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