Replies

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 23, 2008 11:30pm | #1

   Are you sure that there isn't something, such as sawdust, between the jointer bed and the rail it sits on.  If I were you, I'd remove the tables and check that, first.  However, if you're certain that the top has a high spot, and just wasn't milled properly at the factory, then it needs to be scraped, sanded, filed, etc........ to get it flat. 

   Go slow, and check it frequently.  I had to do this on the tablesaw top of my brand new Powermatic 66 when I got it.  I spent about 4 hours getting it just right, and it was well worth the effort. 

   A jointer infeed/outfeed table that isn't flat is worthless.  You have to fix it.

   Jeff

1. 
   Truejoint | Jan 23, 2008 11:36pm | #2

   Each end is definitely bent upward right above the final cross-web on the underneath of each cast iron table.  I imagine this is a manufacturing defect probably shared by all Rigid jointers made at that time (1998 I think).

2. 
   mike4244 | Jan 24, 2008 12:08am | #3

   Take it back and before you take home another one check it for straight. The tables have to be ground. this is a machineshop job, too costly for your joiner.You cannot file it, it could be lapped though. Doing this by hand is not worth it as the jointer is under warranty.

   mike

3. 
   jvk | Jan 24, 2008 01:54am | #4

   I doubt if it's under warranty and if it is you hopefully did every step req'd to get the lifetime warranty.  There's also the mfg tolerances.  All tools have some variation and it doesn't really sound like 1/64 is very much. Even your straight edge may have that much variation

   trimjim
1. 
   Truejoint | Jan 24, 2008 02:44am | #5

   I haven't addressed the problem until now because my straight edge wasn't that good.  My current one is dead on accurate and is thick enough steel such that I'm sure I'm not flexing it.  The joint is probably outside tolerances but my experience with Home Depot (whom I bought it from) hasn't been good regarding such returns.

   I'm going to lightly hit it with a file, polish it out and see how it looks.  If I ruin it, then I'll hit up the wife for a new jointer.  I really need an 8" jointer anyways.

   My power tool set generally consists of late 1990's (BC) era Rigid tools and I've found that they simply aren't quite as good as what you can get today for a couple hundred dollars more per tool.

   BC - before children

1. 
   mike4244 | Jan 24, 2008 07:50pm | #7

   Forget the file, sand it out with sandpaper,lap it with 400 grit wet and dry and a couple of drops of oil.This will take hours,you must check for straight along the length and width frequently. Layout dye or a large magic marker will help you see where to remove excess metal.The bed should be too hard to attempt filing.Even if it does file easily it's a bad idea.You will leave scratches that won't sand out.A file will if the metal is soft enough ,cut deeper than the 1/64" you need to remove.

   mike

1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 24, 2008 10:36pm | #8

   The bed should be cast iron and a file should cut it with ease. Draw filing this high spot would be a perfectly adequate technique, and the resulting 'finish' should polish out just fine, although additional polishing should not be necessary.

   Edited 1/24/2008 3:14 pm by jeff100

2. 
   Harley55 | Jan 25, 2008 02:22am | #9

   For what it's worth, I squared up a cast iron wing once with a mill file.  Took my time, used a machinist square and a flashlight (as a back light source behind the square to check progress, trick I learned from a tool and die friend).  I had good results and ultimately a parallel surface when I bolted things up.<!----><!----><!---->

   I think what you have in mind will work well, just take your time and check progress often.<!----><!---->

    

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 24, 2008 08:34am | #6

   "Even your straight edge may have that much [1/64] variation."  Would hadly deserve to be called a straight edge in that case!  He said, in original post, "I received my first accurate straight edge for Christmas...."forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)