Jointer: Tables Won't Adjust up or Down
If your jointer's table won't adjust up or down, inspect the following parts for wear and tear: the knobs, blocks, clamps, levers, ball crank and adjusting screw. Read on for repair advice that corresponds with the part that needs to be fixed. Reference your owner's manual for instructions relating to your model.
Clamps
To replace a broken clamp, separate the jointer from the base and flip upside down to access the clamp screws. Remove the hand wheel from the elevation screw. Loosen the gib lock in order to free the table to move. Remove the thrust washer and retention collar from the elevation shaft. Take out the screws securing the clamp in place and pull out the old clamp. Install the new clamp and secure it with the screws. Reinstall the thrust washer and retention collar on the elevation shaft as well as the table and gib lock. Reattach the hand wheel to the elevation screw then the jointer to the base.
To replace a broken clamp, separate the jointer from the base and flip upside down to access the clamp screws. Remove the hand wheel from the elevation screw. Loosen the gib lock in order to free the table to move. Remove the thrust washer and retention collar from the elevation shaft. Take out the screws securing the clamp in place and pull out the old clamp. Install the new clamp and secure it with the screws. Reinstall the thrust washer and retention collar on the elevation shaft as well as the table and gib lock. Reattach the hand wheel to the elevation screw then the jointer to the base.
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Knobs
Some jointers have knobs that are used to turn a thread shaft to raise and lower the table. If these knobs are worn, or broken, it will impact their ability to adjust the table height. Inspect all knobs and replace any that are worn or broken. The knobs can be replaced simply by unscrewing them from the shaft and screwing new ones on. Some may be held in place by a set screw.
Some jointers have knobs that are used to turn a thread shaft to raise and lower the table. If these knobs are worn, or broken, it will impact their ability to adjust the table height. Inspect all knobs and replace any that are worn or broken. The knobs can be replaced simply by unscrewing them from the shaft and screwing new ones on. Some may be held in place by a set screw.
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Levers
For some models, they use levers instead of adjusting wheels to adjust the table up and down. If the lever breaks, it will be difficult to make accurate adjustments, or adjustments at all. To replace a lever, unscrew it all of the way until it is free. Install the new lever by threading it in. Levers may be held in by a pin or a set screw.
For some models, they use levers instead of adjusting wheels to adjust the table up and down. If the lever breaks, it will be difficult to make accurate adjustments, or adjustments at all. To replace a lever, unscrew it all of the way until it is free. Install the new lever by threading it in. Levers may be held in by a pin or a set screw.
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Screws
The adjusting screw allows you to adjust the table up and down to the desired height. To replace a worn, or broken, adjusting screw, keep loosening it all of the way until it comes out. Remove the handle from the old adjusting screw and attach to the new one. Place the adjusting screw in the slot and align it with the clamp inside the table and thread it through. Once it is through, re-adjust your table to the proper height.
The adjusting screw allows you to adjust the table up and down to the desired height. To replace a worn, or broken, adjusting screw, keep loosening it all of the way until it comes out. Remove the handle from the old adjusting screw and attach to the new one. Place the adjusting screw in the slot and align it with the clamp inside the table and thread it through. Once it is through, re-adjust your table to the proper height.
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Blocks
Blocks (gibs) are pieces of metal placed between the table and the base. The purpose of gibs are to take up the play between the mating dovetailed ways of the base and the front and rear tables of your jointer. If they become worn, they can cause the table to sag. You can shim up the table by loosening the gib screw and inserting shims five-thousands of an inch at a time, then tighten the gib and check the table for sagging. To replace a block (gib), remove the jointer from the base. Loosen the gib lock in order to free the table. Remove the gib and install a new one. Reattach the table and tighten the gib lock.
Blocks (gibs) are pieces of metal placed between the table and the base. The purpose of gibs are to take up the play between the mating dovetailed ways of the base and the front and rear tables of your jointer. If they become worn, they can cause the table to sag. You can shim up the table by loosening the gib screw and inserting shims five-thousands of an inch at a time, then tighten the gib and check the table for sagging. To replace a block (gib), remove the jointer from the base. Loosen the gib lock in order to free the table. Remove the gib and install a new one. Reattach the table and tighten the gib lock.
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Cranks
Some models have a ball crank to adjust the in-feed table up and down. If this part breaks, you will need to replace it. To do so, remove the jointer from the base and turn it upside down. Next, remove the ball crank bolt and then remove the pin it fits on to. Remove the in-feed table. Replace the ball crank bolt and then reinstall the in-feed table. Reinsert the pin and reattach the ball crank bolt. Finally, reattach the jointer to the base.
Some models have a ball crank to adjust the in-feed table up and down. If this part breaks, you will need to replace it. To do so, remove the jointer from the base and turn it upside down. Next, remove the ball crank bolt and then remove the pin it fits on to. Remove the in-feed table. Replace the ball crank bolt and then reinstall the in-feed table. Reinsert the pin and reattach the ball crank bolt. Finally, reattach the jointer to the base.
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