Jointer: Doesn't Cut Smoothly
A jointer that doesn't cut smoothly can be frustrating. We can help! We have narrowed down the most common parts that can cause a rough cut. Check the knives, bars, bearings, and table for any signs of malfunction. Once you have figured out which part needs to be repaired, review our tips for how you can fix your jointer yourself. Read your owner's manual for detailed instructions on your model.
Bearings
Worn cutter head bearings can cause the cutter head not to spin true, resulting in poor cuts. To replace these bearings, remove the guard, fence and the belt from the jointer. Undo the bolts underneath (that holds the cutter blade in place) and slide it free of the jointer. Place the cutter head assembly into the block, or bench vice, with the soft jaws attached to avoid damage. Use a puller to remove the bearings or a bearing separator. When installing new bearings, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, use a bench vice to secure the cutter head and use a socket big enough that it only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid damage. Now, tap it in place with a hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back in the jointer. Then, reinstall the belt, fence and guide. Adjust the...
Worn cutter head bearings can cause the cutter head not to spin true, resulting in poor cuts. To replace these bearings, remove the guard, fence and the belt from the jointer. Undo the bolts underneath (that holds the cutter blade in place) and slide it free of the jointer. Place the cutter head assembly into the block, or bench vice, with the soft jaws attached to avoid damage. Use a puller to remove the bearings or a bearing separator. When installing new bearings, use a press to ensure even pressure. If you do not have a press, use a bench vice to secure the cutter head and use a socket big enough that it only contacts the inner race of the bearing to avoid damage. Now, tap it in place with a hammer. Reinstall the cutter head back in the jointer. Then, reinstall the belt, fence and guide. Adjust the belt tension to the proper tightness.
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Tables
The out-feed table should be set to the same height as the knives in the cutter head – when the knives are at the top, dead center. To align the out-feed table, you can use a straight-edge. Place the straight- edge on the table and overtop, dead center of the cutter blade then lock the table in place. You can verify the height by placing a straight-edge on the out-feed table and over the cutter head. Next, rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight edge, without pulling on it. If the table is sagging, you can shim it five-thousands of an inch, at a time, by loosening the gib screw and placing shims between the table and base. Tighten the gib screw and re-check for sagging with a straight-edge across the top of the table.
The out-feed table should be set to the same height as the knives in the cutter head – when the knives are at the top, dead center. To align the out-feed table, you can use a straight-edge. Place the straight- edge on the table and overtop, dead center of the cutter blade then lock the table in place. You can verify the height by placing a straight-edge on the out-feed table and over the cutter head. Next, rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight edge, without pulling on it. If the table is sagging, you can shim it five-thousands of an inch, at a time, by loosening the gib screw and placing shims between the table and base. Tighten the gib screw and re-check for sagging with a straight-edge across the top of the table.
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Bars
The bars hold the blades in place and are adjustable to align for a perfect cut. To inspect the bars for damage, remove the guard to access the blades, then turn the jack screws on the holder to loosen. Remove the bar assembly, being careful not to loosen any springs (some models do not have springs). Separate the blade from the bar. Damaged bars should be replaced as well – it can impact their ability to perform a straight cut. Attach the new bar to the blade and reinstall back on the jointer. Snug the jack screws only at this time.
Once installed, you will have to set the blade height to the exact height as the out-feed table. You can do this with a straight edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade after adjusting each blade. Rotate the cutter head. The blade should just...
Once installed, you will have to set the blade height to the exact height as the out-feed table. You can do this with a straight edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade after adjusting each blade. Rotate the cutter head. The blade should just...
The bars hold the blades in place and are adjustable to align for a perfect cut. To inspect the bars for damage, remove the guard to access the blades, then turn the jack screws on the holder to loosen. Remove the bar assembly, being careful not to loosen any springs (some models do not have springs). Separate the blade from the bar. Damaged bars should be replaced as well – it can impact their ability to perform a straight cut. Attach the new bar to the blade and reinstall back on the jointer. Snug the jack screws only at this time.
Once installed, you will have to set the blade height to the exact height as the out-feed table. You can do this with a straight edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade after adjusting each blade. Rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it. This could take a bit of time to ensure it is perfect. Another method is by using a magnetic jig tool for jointers. Place the tool on the outfield table, with the end magnets over the cutter head. The magnets on the tool will pull the blade up in place. If the blade does not move, make sure the jack screws are loose enough. Ensure the blade is at the highest point, when pulled in place for proper cuts. Tighten the jack screws. You will have to perform this for each blade. To verify, use a straight-edge and rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it.
Once installed, you will have to set the blade height to the exact height as the out-feed table. You can do this with a straight edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade after adjusting each blade. Rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it. This could take a bit of time to ensure it is perfect. Another method is by using a magnetic jig tool for jointers. Place the tool on the outfield table, with the end magnets over the cutter head. The magnets on the tool will pull the blade up in place. If the blade does not move, make sure the jack screws are loose enough. Ensure the blade is at the highest point, when pulled in place for proper cuts. Tighten the jack screws. You will have to perform this for each blade. To verify, use a straight-edge and rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it.
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Knives
Dull, or bent, jointer knives will not give you the proper cut and can even damage the wood. Inspect the blade for nicks, gouges or any other signs of damage. Dull knives will be noticeable during cutting. To replace the knives, remove the jack screws, securing the blade holders, then lift out the bar and blade assembly out. Separate the bar and blade.
Attach the new blades to the bar and reinstall in the jointer and snug up the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blade height. There are several ways of doing this. You can use a straight-edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. Tighten the jack screws to secure it in place. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade....
Attach the new blades to the bar and reinstall in the jointer and snug up the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blade height. There are several ways of doing this. You can use a straight-edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. Tighten the jack screws to secure it in place. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade....
Dull, or bent, jointer knives will not give you the proper cut and can even damage the wood. Inspect the blade for nicks, gouges or any other signs of damage. Dull knives will be noticeable during cutting. To replace the knives, remove the jack screws, securing the blade holders, then lift out the bar and blade assembly out. Separate the bar and blade.
Attach the new blades to the bar and reinstall in the jointer and snug up the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blade height. There are several ways of doing this. You can use a straight-edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. Tighten the jack screws to secure it in place. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade. Place a straight-edge on the out-feed table and over the blade after you adjust each blade. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it. This may take a bit of time, and patience, to get the final adjustments just right.
Another method is by using a magnetic jig tool. Place the tool on the outfield table and slide over the cutting head. The magnets on the tool will pull the blade up, into place. If the blade does not move, make sure the jack screws are loose enough. Ensure the blade is at the highest point when pulled into place. Tighten the jack screws. You will have to perform this for each blade. To verify, use a straight-edge and rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge without pulling on it.
Attach the new blades to the bar and reinstall in the jointer and snug up the jack screws. Next, you will have to set the blade height. There are several ways of doing this. You can use a straight-edge by placing it on the out-feed table and over the blade. Adjust the blade to the exact height as the bottom of the straight edge. Tighten the jack screws to secure it in place. You will have to do this all along the blade and for each blade. Place a straight-edge on the out-feed table and over the blade after you adjust each blade. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge, without pulling on it. This may take a bit of time, and patience, to get the final adjustments just right.
Another method is by using a magnetic jig tool. Place the tool on the outfield table and slide over the cutting head. The magnets on the tool will pull the blade up, into place. If the blade does not move, make sure the jack screws are loose enough. Ensure the blade is at the highest point when pulled into place. Tighten the jack screws. You will have to perform this for each blade. To verify, use a straight-edge and rotate the cutter head. The blade should just touch the very bottom of the straight-edge without pulling on it.
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