In this video, we'll demonstrate how to replace bearings and install a new spiral cutter head in an 8-inch jointer. We also discuss the benefits of spiral cutter heads over conventional straight knife cutter heads.

We've also included the step-by-step instructions below so you can follow along.

1. Disconnect Power: Disconnect the power from your Jointer.
2. Wear Safety Glasses: Always wear safety glasses.
3. Read Instructions: Thoroughly read the written instructions included with your new spiral cutter head and watch this video in its entirety before you begin.
4. Have Proper Tools: Ensure you have all necessary tools available before starting. The critical items are a gear or pulley puller and new bearings for the cutter head.

1. Disconnect the power from your Jointer.
2. Remove the fence.
3. Remove the cutter head guard.
4. Remove the rabbet extension table.
5. Take off the rear cover.
6. Remove the belt guard.
7. Remove the drive belt.
8. Lower the tables to make room for the cutter head to come out.
9. Remove the knives from the cutter head. You can also flip them over so the sharp edge is facing down and secure them by tightening the Gib bolts.
10. Remove the pulley from the cutter head. If it doesn't come off by hand, use a pulley puller. Do not try to hit it off with a hammer.
11. Mark the front bearing block with a piece of masking tape for reference.
12. Remove the cap screws from the bearing blocks.
13. Carefully lift the bearing blocks and the cutter head from the casting. Note if there are any shims underneath one or both of the bearing blocks. If so, mark them "front" or "rear" and set them aside.
14. Set the cutter head assembly on 2x4 blocks with the front side down. Wrap tape around the blocks to hold them together.
15. Tap the top of the cutter head shaft gently with a dead blow hammer and a 4x4 block to separate it from the rear bearing block.
16. Remove the front bearing block. It should pull off with hand pressure. If not, gently tap it with one of the wooden blocks.

1. Wrap a layer of cardboard around the new spiral cutter head to protect the inserts from getting chipped.
2. Install the new bearings in the bearing blocks.
3. Stand the cutter head upright between two 10-inch 2x4 blocks.
4. Gently seat the cutter head into the bearing blocks using a block of wood and a dead blow hammer.
5. Wipe down the casting where the bearing blocks will rest.
6. Carefully set the new cutter head and bearing block assembly into place.
7. Reinstall the bearing block cap screws.
8. Reinstall the pulley onto the cutter head shaft and make sure it is tight.
9. Remove the cardboard from the cutter head.

1. Raise the outfeed table.
2. Use a straight edge and feeler gauges to check if the cutter head body is parallel to the outfeed table. Measure on the inside and outside. The specification is 0.004 inches or less difference from front to back.
3. If the cutter head is out of parallel, add some of the shims (that were removed earlier) back under the appropriate cutter head block to bring it to specification.
4. Reinstall the belt on the pulleys.
5. Raise the outfeed table until it is higher than the knives (or inserts).
6. Use the belt to slowly rotate the cutter head until one of the carbide inserts is at top dead center under the straight edge.
7. Gently rock the insert back and forth while you slowly lower the outfeed table to the height of the insert.
8. When correctly set, the carbide insert should just barely touch the straight edge, making a light "tick, tick, tick" sound and not visibly raising or moving the straight edge.
9. Raise and set the infeed table even with the outfeed table.
10. Lock the tables.
11. Reset the positive stop bolts.
12. Reinstall the fence support.
13. Reinstall the fence.
14. Reinstall the rabbet extension table.
15. Reinstall the cutter head guard.
16. With the power still unplugged, slowly rotate the cutter head by hand using the belts to ensure it doesn't come into contact with anything.
17. Reinstall the belt cover.

We trust you will find this video to be beneficial. Please feel free to reach out to us HERE if you have any questions on how to change a cutterhead on your jointer.