Jointer question

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:18 am

I finally got around to rehabbing the jointer I bought on Ebxx a year ago. When I removed the cap screws that hold down the blade wedges there were no washers. The online parts diagram at SS also shows no washers. However, the manual I have that came with the jointer shows a special flat washer.

So I ask the following
1. Do I need the washers?
If yes,
2. Are they "special" or can I buy them from a local hardware store?

I've already set the knife height and tightened the new wedge screws, but if it really is a good idea to have the washers, I will either order them or go find some.

Thanks for any help.

Be well,
Ben

pieceseeker · Post by **pieceseeker** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:43 am

My jointer had them. If there is a part # for them or bolt w/washer, I would get them from SS.

"Wild Bad Bob" · Post by **"Wild Bad Bob"** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:08 am

Now I dont know how inportant they are but I have just rehaped 2 jointers both had the washers and the washers are the type that are paper thin, less the 1/64th thick, and I had a few that did not come out with the bolt they were on and had to use a pick and even was not sure if they were actually in there because they are so hard to see. FWIW

"Wild Bad Bob" · Post by **"Wild Bad Bob"** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:10 am

Now I dont know how important they are but I have just rehaped 2 jointers both had the washers and the washers are the type that are paper thin, less the 1/64th thick, and I had a few that did not come out with the bolt they were on and had to use a pick and even was not sure if they were actually in there because they are so hard to see. FWIW

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:47 am

benush26 wrote:I finally got around to rehabbing the jointer I bought on Ebxx a year ago. When I removed the cap screws that hold down the blade wedges there were no washers. The online parts diagram at SS also shows no washers. However, the manual I have that came with the jointer shows a special flat washer.

So I ask the following
1. Do I need the washers?
If yes,
2. Are they "special" or can I buy them from a local hardware store?

I've already set the knife height and tightened the new wedge screws, but if it really is a good idea to have the washers, I will either order them or go find some.

Thanks for any help.

Be well,
Ben

You do not need them.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:25 pm

benush26 wrote:I finally got around to rehabbing the jointer I bought on Ebxx a year ago. When I removed the cap screws that hold down the blade wedges there were no washers. The online parts diagram at SS also shows no washers. However, the manual I have that came with the jointer shows a special flat washer.

So I ask the following
1. Do I need the washers?
If yes,
2. Are they "special" or can I buy them from a local hardware store?

I've already set the knife height and tightened the new wedge screws, but if it really is a good idea to have the washers, I will either order them or go find some.

Thanks for any help.

Be well,
Ben

I use stainless steel lock washers under the wedge screws. I just snug up the wedge screws for each knife before starting the height adjustment. This allows me to put a little side pressure on the knife while I am adjusting the height. I have never seen one of the wedges loosen to where a knife came loose over time so believe it is a personal preference as to wither you use no washer, a flat washer (came on some joiners) or a lock washer. I have always used the lock washers to insure the screws will not come loose.

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:17 pm

Thanks for the replies.

Since I have things buttoned up I'll just leave well enough alone and check them every couple hours of use.

Thanks again.

Be well,
Ben

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:02 pm

benush26 wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Since I have things buttoned up I'll just leave well enough alone and check them every couple hours of use.

Thanks again.

Be well,
Ben

Ben, If you tightened the screws up after you set the blade height you will be fine.

I have been through more than 40 Shopsmith jointers. The early versions had plain small washers. The washers were eliminated in later models when I believe they changed the material the wedges were made from. I have never seen a lock washer in any of these 40+ jointers.

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:30 pm

SDSSmith wrote:Ben, If you tightened the screws up after you set the blade height you will be fine.

I have been through more than 40 Shopsmith jointers. The early versions had plain small washers. The washers were eliminated in later models when I believe they changed the material the wedges were made from. I have never seen a lock washer in any of these 40+ jointers.

Hi Rob,

Yes, I lightly inserted the two outside screws then when I had finished playing "chase the 1/16", inserted the middle, then tightened all in a varying series of 1/4 turns. I think I would have felt more comfortable using my torque wrench, but found nothing in any literature.

I will do a few run ups through RPMs with the guard in place before I'll run some pieces through.

Thanks again.

BuckeyeDennis · Post by **BuckeyeDennis** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:46 pm

I've now sharpened and set my jointer knives a few times, and have seen no tendency for the screws to come loose. There are no washers on my C type, BTW.

And since the knives are wedge-shaped, the screws would have to come WAY loose before a blade could go flying. I'm thinking that it would make all manner of nasty chattering cuts and horrible noises before there was an actual safety hazard.