Opening Hood

To open the hood for access to the cutterhead, remove the two hex screws with the 22mm wrench provided. See Figure 7.

Knife Installation and Adjustment (Straight Cutterhead only)

Use care when placing hands near knives as they are extremely sharp and can cause severe cuts.

Installing knives on a planer is an exacting process. If the knives are not to be jointed and ground, end-to-end and knife-to-knife relationship must be held within .001" (.03mm) for accurate and smooth planing. To help avoid cutterhead distortion when changing out a set of knives, remove and replace the knife in one slot before changing the next knife. Snug down each knife until all four are ready to fully tighten, as described below. It may be helpful to number the knives with a felt-tip marker to keep track of progress.

Any knife adjustment or replacement should be done to all four knives at the same time. Failure to do this may result in an out-of-balance cutterhead which can lead to bearing failure.

1.Disconnect machine from power source.

2.To remove a knife, loosen the eight screws along its gib. See Figure 8.

3.The springs will cause the knife to rise in the slot. Carefully remove knife from cutterhead by lifting straight out. Remove gib and springs, and clean any dust, pitch or accumulated foreign matter from the slot and the gib.

4.Replace the springs and gib into the slot, then insert new knife and lightly snug the eight gib screws.

5.Place the knife-setting gauge on the cutterhead as shown in Figure 9, with the flanges resting upon the cutterhead and the center protrusion pushing down upon the tip of the knife. This will hold the high point of the knife to the proper height above the cutterhead (approximately 1/8” or 3.18mm).

6.Use the gauge at both ends of the knife, then check the center section to be sure it is even. If the knife is low in the center, try backing off slightly on the center gib screw to allow the blade to come up. Gently tap blade down with a piece of wood until it conforms to the gauge height. Re-check the full length of the knife.

Figure 7

Figure 8 – Model 201 only

Figure 9 – Model 201 only

201HH specifications

The Powermatic 201HH is a highly regarded 8-inch jointer, renowned for its robust construction, precision, and advanced technology. This machine is particularly well-suited for both professional woodworkers and serious hobbyists who demand the best performance from their tools.

One of the standout features of the Powermatic 201HH is the Helical Cutterhead. This technology distinguishes it from standard jointers featuring straight knives. The helical design incorporates numerous small, square inserts that can be rotated or replaced when worn, significantly extending the overall life of the cutterhead. The helical arrangement reduces noise during operation and provides a much smoother finish on the workpiece, minimizing the need for additional sanding.

Adjustability is another area where the Powermatic 201HH excels. It boasts an easy-to-use tables adjustment mechanism that allows users to fine-tune the infeed and outfeed tables for precise jointing. This feature is essential to ensure a perfectly flat and even surface on all types of wood. The large tables, measuring 74 inches in length, provide ample support for larger workpieces, making it easier to manage and maneuver materials during operation.

The 201HH also comes equipped with a powerful 3 HP motor that drives the machine with reliability and performance. This motor is a key component in delivering consistent power and maintaining speed even under heavier workloads. Coupled with a strong base and solid construction, the jointer maintains stability during operation, which contributes to both safety and precision.

Added convenience comes in the form of an integrated dust collection port, which facilitates cleaner operation by effectively managing sawdust and shavings. This reduces cleanup time and creates a more pleasant working environment.

Moreover, the design of the Powermatic 201HH incorporates safety features, including a push block that assists in guiding stock through the machine, minimizing the risk of injury. The solid build quality and attention to detail in the engineering provide confidence to users that they are working with a reliable tool that will stand the test of time.

In summary, the Powermatic 201HH offers an impressive array of features including a helical cutterhead, extensive adjustability, a powerful motor, efficient dust collection, and strong safety measures. These characteristics make it a top choice for anyone looking to achieve exceptional results in their woodworking projects.