14.Slightly loosen the five gib screws (see Figure 31) with an 8mm wrench. (NOTE: The springs below the knife will cause the knife to rise.)
15.Turn the jack screw(s) with a hex wrench; clockwise to lower the setting of the knife in the cutterhead, counterclockwise to raise the setting of the knife.
16.Use the edge of a board to push the knife back down so that it is flush against the jack screws. See Figure 32. Tighten the gib screws only enough to keep the knife in position in the cutterhead. Do not fully tighten.
17.Check the height of the knife again by using the gauge at front and back of the outfeed table. Make further adjustments to the jack screw(s) as needed.
18.Repeat this process for each of the other two knives in turn. Do not fully tighten gib screws, only tighten them enough to keep the knife in position.
19.For best results, knives should be set at approximately .015" above the cutterhead. Knife height should not vary more than .002-
.003" across the length of the cutterhead. All three knives must be set at equal height in the cutterhead and parallel to the outfeed table across their length.
20.After all three knives are positioned properly in the cutterhead and made snug, continue tightening the gib screws. The gib screws should be tightened in increments, to prevent any distortion to the cutterhead or buckling of knives. Begin tightening the gib screws a little more on one knife. Start with the center screw and work your way to the ends. Do not fully tighten yet.
21.Rotate the cutterhead to the other two knives in turn. Repeat step 19 for each knife.
22.The tightening process should continue at least two more times, each time tightening the gib screws further on all three knives in turn. On the third time, the gib screws should all be firmly tightened.
Before operating the jointer, make sure all gib screws are firmly tightened. A loose knife thrown from the cutterhead can cause severe or fatal injury.
23.After all knife adjustments are completed, the guards and fence assembly should be placed back on the machine before operating.
Figure 31 (straight cutterhead)
Figure 32 (straight cutterhead)
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