Thread: Jointer help

All good info. Thanks everyone.

After checking the in and out feed table with a straight edge during the week, it looks like they aren't on the same plane. I should say that a few weeks ago I bought it back to Carbatec for them to look at because at the time I couldn't get the fence to be 90 degrees to the in and out feed tables at the same time. They had it for a week and I got it back after they adjusted the in feed table. It's much better but not perfect. Now I realize it needs to be setup properly. I called Carbatec yesterday and asked how to adjust the infeed table as it's not mentioned in the manual. They said there are 4 grub screws underneath that raise or lower the four corners of the table. I tried to adjust them today but I couldn't turn them with an allen key. I didn't want to force it. Maybe there's some other screws that need to be loosened first.

I don't want to mess with it any further so I'm going to bring it back to Carbatec again. It should be setup correctly at the factory considering the manual doesn't mention these grub screws. It's getting frustrating as I have had it for over a month now and I've still not planed anything straight. I have a lovely piece of flame maple that I'm using for a guitar neck that I ran through the jointer when I first set it up and kept running it through thinking it will eventually plane it flat. It's now dangerously close to being too thin.

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

After checking the in and out feed table with a straight edge during the week, it looks like they aren't on the same plane.

I called Carbatec yesterday and asked how to adjust the infeed table as it's not mentioned in the manual. They said there are 4 grub screws underneath that raise or lower the four corners of the table. I tried to adjust them today but I couldn't turn them with an allen key. I didn't want to force it. Maybe there's some other screws that need to be loosened first.

I don't want to mess with it any further so I'm going to bring it back to Carbatec again. It should be setup correctly at the factory considering the manual doesn't mention these grub screws.

one thing to keep in mind is that when setting the tables to be parallel to each other, the grub screws bear against the frame of the machine. When you move the machine about unless your floor is perfectly level, the frame will twist slightly leading to the tables moving slightly. Where straight and flat is a critical criteria, you may find you need to adjust the tables from time to time.

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

After checking the in and out feed table with a straight edge during the week, it looks like they aren't on the same plane. I should say that a few weeks ago I bought it back to Carbatec for them to look at because at the time I couldn't get the fence to be 90 degrees to the in and out feed tables at the same time. They had it for a week and I got it back after they adjusted the in feed table. It's much better but not perfect. Now I realize it needs to be setup properly. I called Carbatec yesterday and asked how to adjust the infeed table as it's not mentioned in the manual. They said there are 4 grub screws underneath that raise or lower the four corners of the table. I tried to adjust them today but I couldn't turn them with an allen key. I didn't want to force it. Maybe there's some other screws that need to be loosened first.

I don't want to mess with it any further so I'm going to bring it back to Carbatec again. It should be setup correctly at the factory considering the manual doesn't mention these grub screws. It's getting frustrating as I have had it for over a month now and I've still not planed anything straight. I have a lovely piece of flame maple that I'm using for a guitar neck that I ran through the jointer when I first set it up and kept running it through thinking it will eventually plane it flat. It's now dangerously close to being too thin.

The fence not being able to be set at 90° to both in/outfeed tables is another thing that should be right from new, it's another issue apart from the other. Without seeing or knowing the machine it is a bit hard to suggest a remedy, but from what you describe it will be a raising or lowering of either the in/outfeed on one side of the machine only, but like you say keep taking it back to CTec until you are happy.

Is it possible to take a few pics of the adjusting arrangement/grub screws?


Pete

This jointer? (Carba-Tec® 6" Benchtop Jointer : CARBA-TEC)

Yes it is that one.

Here's some pics of the screws
right
Img_0730.jpg
left
Img_0733.jpg

I called Carbatec again today and spoke to the guy who adjusted the table for me a few weeks ago. He said the larger nuts next to the grub screws need to be loosened first to allow the grub screws to adjust the table. I spent a hour or so this evening tweaking and got it almost perfect. After running some scrap through it it's now much better. Almost dead straight. It takes a bit of fiddling with the screws. When you get one side of the table flat then adjust another corner it throws the other side out a bit. With a bit more tweaking I should get it perfect.

I also rubbed some candle wax on the tables and then polished them with a rag and now the timber glides easily.

Thanks for all your help guys.

When you said about going back and forth with the adjustments, I was reminded of this Marc Spagnuolo video

118 – Jointer Setup | The Wood Whisperer

also ... How to Mill Lumber | The Wood Whisperer

Hope they're useful.

Cheers,
Paul

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

I called Carbatec again today and spoke to the guy who adjusted the table for me a few weeks ago. He said the larger nuts next to the grub screws need to be loosened first to allow the grub screws to adjust the table. I spent a hour or so this evening tweaking and got it almost perfect. After running some scrap through it it's now much better. Almost dead straight. It takes a bit of fiddling with the screws. When you get one side of the table flat then adjust another corner it throws the other side out a bit. With a bit more tweaking I should get it perfect.

I also rubbed some candle wax on the tables and then polished them with a rag and now the timber glides easily.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Sounds like you have got the adjusment under control



Pete