In this video, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on aligning the tables of an 8-inch parallelogram jointer, specifically the Grizzly G0490X model.
We've also included the step-by-step instructions below if you'd like to follow along.
Important Safety Precautions:
- Disconnect Power: Always disconnect the jointer from the power source before performing any checks or adjustments.
- Read Instructions: Refer to the owner's manual that came with your specific jointer. Read the manual thoroughly before you begin this job.
- Follow Shop Safety Procedures: Remember to follow all general shop safety procedures.
- Eye and Ear Protection: Always wear appropriate eye and ear protection.
- Technical Support: If you need further assistance, you can call technical support at 570-546-9663.
Understanding Parallelogram Table Adjustment:
- Each table on a parallelogram jointer has eccentric bushings located under its four corners.
- Rotating these bushings raises or lowers the support shaft the table is mounted on.
- This allows for independent adjustment of all four corners of each table to achieve perfect parallelism.
- This adjustment is considered permanent and should not need frequent repetition.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparation:
- Gather Tools: You will need a 3mm, 4mm, and 8mm hex wrench (Allen wrench), a 17mm open-end wrench, and a good quality straight edge. A small block to hold the straight edge can be helpful.
- Disconnect Power: Ensure the jointer is unplugged from the power source.
- Remove Components: Remove the cutter head guard, fence, and rear stand panel.
- Adjust Table Height Stops: Loosen the table height lock lever and then loosen the lock nuts on the table height stops. Adjust the stops out of the way so they don't interfere with table movement.
- Position Knives: Rotate the cutter head pulley so that the knives are out of the way. You will be checking the table alignment against the cutter head body, not the knives.
2. Checking and Adjusting the Outfeed Table Parallelism to the Cutter Head Body:
- Position Straight Edge: Place the straight edge on the rear of the outfeed table with one end extending over the cutter head.
- Lower Table: Lower the outfeed table until the straight edge just touches the cutter head body.
- Lock Table Height: Lock the outfeed table height lever.
- Check Front Position: Move the straight edge to the front of the outfeed table. It should just barely touch the cutter head body and sit flat on the table.
- Assess Alignment:
- If the straight edge sits flat, the outfeed table is parallel to the cutter head body and does not need adjustment.
- If it does not sit flat, you need to adjust the eccentric bushings.
- Identify Adjustment Points: Determine which corner(s) of the outfeed table need adjustment based on how the straight edge sits. You might need to raise one corner or lower another.
- Adjust Eccentric Bushings:
- Each bushing has two stacked set screws. Use the appropriate hex wrench to remove the top set screw.
- Loosen the second set screw (the one underneath).
- Take a small punch and hammer and gently tap against the notch in the bushing. Rotating the bushing in one direction will raise that corner of the table, and rotating it in the other direction will lower it.
- Make small adjustments and recheck the straight edge at both the front and rear of the outfeed table. Adjusting one corner can affect the other.
- Tighten Set Screws: Once the straight edge just touches the cutter head body and lies flat across the outfeed table in both the front and rear positions, tighten the second set screw.
- Reinstall Top Set Screw: Reinstall the first set screw that was removed. The top set screw locks against the bottom one to prevent movement.
3. Setting the Outfeed Table Height Relative to the Knives:
- Raise Outfeed Table: Raise the outfeed table up.
- Position Straight Edge: Use the straight edge to set the height of the outfeed table level with the top of the jointer knives at their highest point of rotation (top dead center).
- Tighten Table Lock: Tighten the table height lock lever.
- Reset Table Stops: Reset and lock the table height stops.
4. Checking and Adjusting the Infeed Table Parallelism to the Outfeed Table:
- Raise Infeed Table: Raise the infeed table so it is even with the outfeed table.
- Position Straight Edge: Place the straight edge halfway across both the infeed and outfeed tables.
- Check Front and Rear: Be sure to perform this check at both the front and rear of the tables.
- Assess Alignment:
- If the straight edge sits flat across both tables, the tables are parallel.
- If the straight edge does not sit flat, you need to adjust the infeed table.
- Adjust Eccentric Bushings (Infeed Table):
- Adjust the infeed table using the same method as the outfeed table, utilizing the eccentric bushings located under the infeed table's corners.
- Important: Do not use the cutter head as a reference point for the infeed table. Align the infeed table to be parallel with the already aligned outfeed table using the straight edge.
- Tighten Set Screws (Infeed Table): Once satisfied with the alignment of the infeed table to the outfeed table, tighten the second set screw in each adjusted bushing.
- Reinstall Top Set Screw (Infeed Table): Reinstall the first set screw in each adjusted bushing.
5. Reassembly:
- Reinstall the back stand panel.
- Reinstall the fence.
- Reinstall the cutter head guard.
Your parallelogram jointer tables should now be accurately aligned.
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 align the parallelogram jointer.