5.It is recommended when replacing knives that you clean the knife slots in the cutterhead. Remove the gib along with the gib screws, and remove the two springs. Clean the cutterhead slot of any debris or dust that might prevent the knife from seating properly. Also clean the gib, gib screws, and springs. Closely inspect the gib screws – if the threads appear worn or stripped, or if the heads are becoming rounded, replace the screws.

6.Re-insert the springs and the gib.

7.Place the new or resharpened knife into the slot as shown in Figure 18, making sure the direction of the knife is correct.

8.Place the knife setting gauge (provided) upon the cutterhead and centered over a knife, as shown in Figure 19. Make sure the feet of the knife setting gauge rest solidly upon the cutterhead and that its handle is parallel to the cutterhead. The gauge is now holding the knife at proper depth.

9.While keeping the knife setting gauge in place, tighten the six gib screws just enough to hold the knife in position. Start with the center screws first, and work your way toward the end screws.

10.Repeat steps 3 through 9 for the other two knives in the cutterhead. Make the gib screws just tight enough to hold the knives

in position.

Figure 19

 

With all three jointer knives in the cutterhead,

 

the knives should now be tightened

 

incrementally to prevent any buckling or

 

distortion of the cutterhead. Proceed as follows:

 

11. Rotate the cutterhead to each knife in turn,

 

tightening the gib screws a little more

 

(center screws first, then toward the end

 

screws). Do this at least twice; on the final

 

rotation, firmly tighten all gib screws.

 

After replacing and checking

 

knives, check again carefully. Make certain

 

the direction of knives is correct, and all

 

eighteen gib screws are tightened securely.

 

Loose gib screws can result in knives being

 

thrown from the cutterhead, causing severe

 

damage to the machine and possible serious

 

or fatal injury to the operator or bystanders.

 

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Powermatic 1285 operating instructions