Shopsmith Forums

After getting tired of having dull blades on my Shopsmith Planer, I finally got out the Planer/Jointer Knife Sharpener (555471) and got to work. This sharpening guide is used with the conical sanding disk and is a "slam dunk" easy task. After sharpening the three blades I finished the honing on 1200 and 8000 water stones. The blades are now sharp enough to slice paper.

My jointer's knives are next.

I use the Sharpener for my jointer blades and like it. I just wish my DeWalt planer blades could be resharpened. At over $50 a pop, I tend to use them longer than I should.

Hi, I watched the S/S video tips for maintaining the thickness planer. In the session, the instructor says that if you have a nick in all three blades, you can simply move one blade 1/32" to get rid of the high spot on planed wood. Makes good sense. My question is: if I loosen the (8) hex head screws on the roller, can I shift the blade without messing up the height of the blade? Hope that's clear. Thanks/ Butch

Yes, I have done that in the past until the knives needed sharpening again. I just shift one knife. There are 3 knife leveling screws that adjust the height of the knife. Do not touch these screws when moving the knives. You may have trouble getting the knife wedges to loosen. I have a very small pry bar that I fit under the outside edge of the wedges. Once there is any movement, the wedge will become loose for removal or knife adjustment.

I have used the Shopsmith conical sanding disk and knife sharpener to sharpen many joiner and planer knifes along with other equipment brand's planer and joiner knifes. It has paid for itself many times and I am still on the original conical sanding disk. A little will do you when using this excellant setup.

Bill Mayo

PS: This works for joiner knives. Move the knife toward the drive side of the joiner so the edge rabbets and tongues are not affected. When working with planer and joiner knives, be very careful as they do cut skin without you being aware at times. I try to handle them by the ends of the knife.

waedison wrote:Hi, I watched the S/S video tips for maintaining the thickness planer. In the session, the instructor says that if you have a nick in all three blades, you can simply move one blade 1/32" to get rid of the high spot on planed wood. Makes good sense. My question is: if I loosen the (8) hex head screws on the roller, can I shift the blade without messing up the height of the blade? Hope that's clear. Thanks/ Butch

Bruce wrote:I use the Sharpener for my jointer blades and like it. I just wish my DeWalt planer blades could be resharpened. At over $50 a pop, I tend to use them longer than I should.

Thanks Bill. I will conical disk but have to admit I've not used it yet. Does SS sell the knife sharpen er attachment I'd use for planer blades? Thanks again./Butch

waedison wrote:Thanks Bill. I will conical disk but have to admit I've not used it yet. Does SS sell the knife sharpen er attachment I'd use for planer blades? Thanks again./Butch

Hi Butch,
Yes. SS # 555471
What part of the world do you hail from?

I'm in Ferndale, WA, near the Canadian Border. I'll order the attachment and thanks for the advice. /Butch

Did anyone else see some short-lived Video-tip verbiage for using the Jointer Blade Sharpening Jig to hold small wood parts for sanding [on the conical disk I suppose]?
I recall a brief teaser note somewhere about 4-5 weeks ago, but never saw the video?

waedison wrote:I'm in Ferndale, WA, near the Canadian Border. I'll order the attachment and thanks for the advice. /Butch

Well, we are in the same state, but not very close. Too bad; I keep looking for someone close.