Replies

1. 
   jagwah | Sep 15, 2003 05:12pm | #1

   Good question, I had to think a moment.

   The only time I've adjusted the outfeed is to align to the knives as I replace them. The knives shoulh install and adjust to the table but I got an import set once that werr slightly taller requiring me to adjust the out feed.

   Still, I'm curious as to any other uses for this adjustment, I don't really see one.

1. 
   Sancho | Sep 15, 2003 05:30pm | #2

   What about when it is taken in for repair. They may have to disassemble and then re-adj it for what ever reason. 

   Darkworksite4: Subterráneo en la república de gente de Calif

2. 
   BG | Sep 15, 2003 05:57pm | #4

   Jagwah,

   Don't you ever use your jointer for rabbits?  I don't have a jointer but I have heard they can have various uses

1. 
   jagwah | Sep 16, 2003 12:14am | #7

   Very interesting.

   But the fur messes up the dust colection.eeck! ;)

   Actually I do use mine for rabbitint but only when it ie a small simple rabbit. Usually my saw is tied up and the jointer is a quick alternate.

   As to setting slightly ahead of the knoves to avoid snipe... hmmm. I think I gotta try that.

2. 
   JohnWW | Sep 15, 2003 05:48pm | #3

   Theoretically the outfeed table should never have to be adjusted if you install the blades perfectly, and they never got dull and all wood planed exactly the same, but that's not the case.  After installing new blades, or if the cut isn't quite straight on blades that have been used for a while, adjusting the outfeed table's height will usually produce a better cut. 

   Because the correct height is a matter of only plus or minus a hundredth of an inch or so, jointers with an outfeed table that's adjusted by a handwheel turning a screw are far easier to adjust than machines that use a lever for adjusting the outfeed table's height.  Machines that have a lever on the outfeed were designed by engineers who had no idea how a jointer works.

   I posted the procedure for adjusting an outfeed table just last week, it is under the heading "Jointer Problem" dated September 12.

   John W.

3. 
   forestgirl | Sep 15, 2003 07:01pm | #5

   Adjusting the outfeed table is how you get the knives (at the top of their arc) properly aligned with the outfeed table for jointing.**  From what I've read here at Knots, that alignment is not always the same for various types of woods.  In my limited work, I just align the table so the straightedge just brushes the tip of the knife.  Others will tell you to adjust it such that, as you hand-rotate the cutterhead, it pushes the straightedge 1/32" or so with each knife-touch.

   Sgian (where are you?) posted a detailed explanation about how different woods react physically to jointing and might require a higher or lower knife-set for ideal jointing.  I'll try to find that post and provide a link (after breakfast). 

   Re: Rabbeting, that adjustment is done via the infeed table methinks.

   **You might ask "Why not adjust the knife height?"  That measurement is "distance above the cutterhead" and is defined in your owner's manual, remaining fixed.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/15/2003 12:08:02 PM ET by forestgirl

1. 
   Steve113 | Sep 16, 2003 05:24am | #8

   Hi -

   It would be high appreciate to get you link!

   Re: Rabbeting

   I'm not sure if it should adjust both the outfeed and infeed for rabbeting. I remember I ever read a relative article from a web, but I can't find this web now.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 16, 2003 06:57am | #9

   Here's my comment followed by Richard's (Sgian's) post:http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=11550.8

   For rabbeting, you only adjust the infeed table for your depth of cut.  The outfeed table must be flush with the knife-edge at the top of the arc.  Otherwise you will get mis-shapened surface just as you would if the outfeed wasn't aligned during regular jointing.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Steve113 | Sep 16, 2003 11:23am | #10

   Thanks a lot.

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 15, 2003 07:47pm | #6

   Steve

      I have personally found you can have your out-feed at dead-on with the top of the knife and still get bit of snipe on the tail end of the stock. By raising the out-feed slightly (even a .001 in some cases) will often eliminate that. As FG posted and Sgian Dubh confirmed, some woods react differently to the out-feed height.

      Engineering wise, this doesn't make sense. But in actual usage, it works. You buy 3 bags of groceries and take out 4 bags of trash? Where do those socks go? A mystery of life! Besides, I just work here for minimum wage, so "don't ask me". ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

5. 
   trialnut | Sep 16, 2003 02:33pm | #11

   One thing I have not seen mentioned yet. On larger jointers many times knife grinding attachments are available that grind the knives without taking them out of the machine. With these grinders all the blades end up parallel to the outfeed table but lower by the amount ground off. You them adjust the table to the knives. Perhaps the adjustable outfeed on smaller jointers is mostly a carryover from the larger ones.

   Rich

   The Professional Termite