Installing and Setting New Knives in a Crescent Machine Co. Jointer

[@michaelgreen9589]

I would’ve been lost without this video. Thanks!

[@ronvickless3581]

Just picked up a 12" crescent jointer today and noticed 1 of the 4 knives was higher than the other 3. I don't think I would have figured out how to adjust this machine without your video. Many thanks.

[@wrstew1272]

16”!!! WOW ! Score- the old stuff is so well engineered, built to last lifetimes. Heavy, quiet, great find. Taught myself how to change knifes on both jointers and planers, when done with care a glass surface is routine.

[@kevloon22]

I used this video to install knifes in my recently restored Crescent 12". Thank you so much. This is the type of information that is almost impossible to find outside of youtube. Now i have the best jointer I have ever used and Its in my own shop. Cheers.

[@davidellison2593]

Just found your videos. Best and clearest instructions. Thank you so much I have learnt a great deal about my old 8" jointer

[@smorris1992]

Incredible video! I just bought one of these and this was so helpful. I really appreciate how thorough you are!

[@kenzpenz]

Another great video. When the shavings poured out of the outfeed end of the machine, it was proof that something was dead on. You have the patience of a saint, whenever you restore these old machines, or tune one up like this one. Sitting here with a cup of coffee watching you methodically dissemble and reassemble is the easy part. I remember high school wood shop, and saw the results of some kid hitting a nail or bit of metal that he failed to check for. Then the rest of us suffered the consequences with those funny ridges in our wood. Of course our jointer was not of this size, but the principle was the same. Thanks again for this great video, and all you do.

[@markdayneowalla]

Thank you for this. I wasn't having any success finding information on how to do this. I'm glad I found this video!

[@robpurves6751]

Great video, thank you. Also dug the Bob Vaughan article out of my stack of FWW back copies. Between the two, my 20-year old planer-thicknesser is purring.

[@E-Glide]

Keith, with the indicator at TDC, I clamp a framing square behind the mag base (surface gage for me). That normally eliminates the need to continually find TDC.

[@leeh.4453]

That was interesting. I'm a former woodworker, and now I've gotten interested in the machining vids, but I haven't forgotten the hassle of setting jointer knives. That old 16" machine is sweet. Thanks.

[@not2fast4u2c]

I am not a woodworker ..But I enjoyed seeing the wood shavings come out of the machine and how smooth and straight the board looks !!!

[@McFingal]

MR. Rucker I'm going in reverse of you. I started out wood working and am now moving on to metal working. I just picked up my first lathe, it's an old craftsman/Atlas 618. It came from a hospital where it saw very little use. With the bonus of all the original tool less the manual. No indicators though. Thank you for the great work, plus the steam locomotive trip was a cool. I'm a retired locomotive engineer from the Union Pacific rail road. Again thank you for the informative videos.

[@jaimevega4370]

A man after my own heart wood and metal worker. GREAT SHOW. Thanks.

[@swarfrat311]

Keith, I used to work as a service tech for a company that sold and repaired professional woodworking equipment. I have changed a number of blades in both planers and joiners. We had a special tool for setting blade height. It was half of a circle with an indicator in the top of the device. You would place it on the table to zero out the indicator, then it would straddle the cutter drum with the end of the indicator on the blade. You would rock the cutter drum back and forth (as you did) to find the TDC of the knife. We used scraps of hard wood and sometimes plastic to drive the blade back down a little. The units I hated had helical blades! A real pain! Thanks for the video. Regard, Dave

[@JackHoying]

Nothing like new blades in a machine! I also use a dial indicator to set the knives in my Delta planer. I made a holder for the indicator that straddles the blade and references off of the head, much like the gauge in the manual photo you show. (since a planer doesn't need to reference to an out-feed table) I started subscribing to Fine Woodworking in 1975, when I was 19 years old. Other than a few issues that were borrowed out and not returned, I have a complete set.

[@robertkutz9540]

KEITH great video for the old woodturners an woodworks.

[@vajake1]

I saw a very similar process done by another gentleman. He was right here in Virginia. Can't remember his name. I really enjoyed your video more. I have to do the same thing on an old Powermatic 6" jointer that I bought from a local school. Thank you so much!

[@vajake1]

You are correct sir! I look it up! Mr. Vaughn was indeed the gentleman that posted a tutorial that I observed!

[@drawvenmusket]

Keith that be a wee beast of a jointer you have there, I would so love to have the use of such a great machine in my shop would make squaring up some timbers for the new shed so much nicer oh well off I go to sharpen my skill and hand tools. and thanks for all you do to keep the knowledge alive for the next generation

[@JohnBare747]

Thanks Keith, that makes my little 4" jointer look like a toy.

[@bcbloc02]

That machine looks a ton like my "The Porter Heavy Pattern" jointer I have! On mine you can loosen two knobs and slide the bed away on both sides for better access to the cutter head. Mine has these awesome looking brass oil feed cups for the Babbitt bearings and it does a great job. Very nice work showing how to adjust the knives.

[@outsidescrewball]

Hi Keith... Enjoyed the video, great explanation ....beautiful machine and a beast too!! Chuck

[@billdlv]

Keith nice video and that is a really nice machine you have there. In my high school shop we had an 18" jointer and it worked really good. The shop I am in now has a 10" jointer but it has the insert style cutter head. We had a problem with the cutter head axis not being in alignment with the out feed table and I used a similar technique to what you showed today to get it back in alignment.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you for the great video, Keith. I have been using this method on my 2 jointers and planer for over 30 years. For perfect results it is the way to go. I am with you about the head alignment a small misalignment is not a big deal it is more about the blades and balance and good bearings. Thanks again.

[@JunkMikesWorld]

Keith, I am a high school shop teacher. I do work at both metal and wood work at school and at home. A very nice explanation of the process. I have been doing the dial indicator method for years. However I have used a magnetic jig the last few times and it is even faster.

[@JunkMikesWorld]

***** I am very much aware that I am fast becoming a dinosaur. I do the high tech stuff as well, CNC & CAD. However as I look around every year there are fewer and fewer shop programs here in Ohio. As soon as a teacher retires another shop closes. It is very discouraging. I am just about at the halfway point in my career. I hope teaching will get me to my 35 years. :) I am sure your teachers would be / are very proud of the work you are doing on you tube. I appreciate your commending me on my work. It is very kind. However I have days where I look around and wounder what the heck I am doing ;) LOL

[@isbcornbinder]

I saved some of these planer blades for my shop and I use them for straight edges and a plasma cutter guide.

[@6611788]

The machine makes a beautiful sound

[@ajmiller7102]

I have an old 6" jointer, without the knive adjustment. I lay two tool bar magnets on the outfeed table and over the knives. The magnets will hold the knives in place until retainer screws are set. Not the best method maybe, but works for my old jointer.

[@mgmoody42]

Yes, make sure the knives are in the same plane as the outfeed table. Don't worry about the cutter head not being parallel. Remember, the grain of the wood is not always going to be perpendicular to the knives, either! Just make sure the knives are set properly and pay attention to the grain direction of the timber as you feed it so you aren't going against the grain.

[@Bestcabinetmaker]

Keith, that Crescent is a nice machine, good to see some woodworking! My Fay & Eagan jointer isn't quite as easy to set the knives, they are about due.

[@ronaldoleksy8264]

I own a 16 inch jointer. Babbet bearings are still good

[@WillyBemis]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@specialks1953]

Thanks for the videos.

[@michael.schuler]

Wonderfully detailed tutorial. Thank you! Question: If your knives are set a few thou too high, can this result in slightly convex jointed edges?

[@davidholz3784]

thank you

[@lastmanstandingwtsht]

Beautiful jointer Keith now if I could only straighten my Bridgeport table as easily as you did that piece of ash-lol

[@lastmanstandingwtsht]

That sounds awesome cant wait to see it.

[@messenger8279]

Thats interesting. I am a joiner and my Jointer has a Tersa head with disposable knives that never need setting. However my old jointers were set up using a piece of hardwood. You lay it flat over the head and rote the cutter until the blades just kick the wood forward a fraction. That was the old school method and it seemed t work ok. Nice to see a set up like this. One major challenge was getting both tables parallel. Any advice on setting the table both level and out of twist etc.

[@pierresgarage2687]

Hi Keith, You're a pretty versatile man, good video. Appreciate your patience and good nature. Like they say " One apple a day keeps the doctor away... " " One nail a day keeps &$%**|#%.... ( imagine the rest ) " Thanks for your dedication, Pierre

[@958kris]

Keith, After sliding the base to find TDC of the cutter head, couldn't you then roll the cutter head to find the knife TDC and then drive a small wooden wedge between the cutter head and the casting on the drive end. I'm thinking you could then make the knife height adjustment while watching the indicator. If it works, you would eliminate much of the trial and error. Certainly, the wedge would have to be tight enough to hold the cutter head while you're torqueing the hex bolts. Just curious and wondered what you though. Again, I really like all of your videos.

[@Opinionator52]

Enjoyed the wood working machine/precision vid! O,

[@PeterWMeek]

Nice video. While watching, I noticed that much of the time was spent returning the indicator to directly over the axis of the cutter head. I wonder if clamping a straight edge to the table in the right position would make that a lot faster.

[@PeterWMeek]

***** I was thinking of the time spent returning the indicator to the position directly above the axle of the cutterhead. That is about half the time spent getting a new measurement. (Half spent on positioning the indicator, half spent on rotating the cutterhead to TDC.) Avoiding the time it takes to position the indicator by moving the base up against a clamped down straight-edge would seem advantageous. You would have to spend a few minutes positioning the straight-edge, but after that moving the base anywhere along it would bring the indicator back to the proper position. If there was no place to put a clamp, the straight-edge could be fixed by a couple of magnetic indicator bases. I think I need to make a video explaining this.

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

found this very interesting keith

[@sparkyprojects]

I would tend to disagree about the levelling of the cutter drum with the table, though if you know the infeed table is flat (not twisted) in comparison with the outfeed, you should be ok. When my woodworking co-worker set the knives, the first thing he did was check the outfeed was parallel with the drum, then finally check the infeed table was also level using the drum as reference in both cases, then a flat bar across both sides of the tables

[@scottgordon7959]

Really enjoying your videos. I recently purchased a 16” crescent jointer, needs some parts. Do you know of a source for parts for the 16” Crescent jointer? Thanks, Scott

[@AeroSport103]

Congratulations on your swelling viewership! Take care, be safe!

[@wdhewson]

I'm always interested in the nature of cutting edges and blade material. Are these blades just high carbon steel or a tool steel? Are the bevels flat ground, or maybe there are two bevels? What can you tell us about the blades. Thanks. Well done as usual.

[@CompEdgeX2013]

So were the old knives HSS?? If so I hope you kept them for use in the metalshop. They make great form cutters or even a parting tool in a pinch... :-) I like the way the adjustment is done on that machine. The few I've seen have no way to lift the knife like that tool. Colin

[@DrewDiaz]

You can run it through the planer & it will be true if you've spent the same kind of time setting planer knives (oops no emoticons) I was glad to see you didn't do that secondary bevel routine by wrapping a hard stone in a piece of paper and knocking a 1/1,000" off the knives... The most nerve racking thing I've ever done in the shop.. I have a ceramic stone that I just can't get cleaned after doing that 10 years ago... Just a couple questions- I was taught to stone the blades before installation, which always seemed to be gilding the lily, do you agree it isn't necessary? I was taught to install all the blades snugly and then adjust as the tension of the set screws will, incrementally, affect the geometry of the head.. You think that this is too much!

[@JohnyLatelyCome]

Hello Keith, Great Channel, I'm addicted, I'm hoping for some advice I actually have a Jointer from the the same time era as your Crescent jointer, I have a three legged 12 inch American Woodwoorking Machinery Jointer built sometime after Frank Clement joined up with American Woodworking. I have not run it yet partly because of my concern about the cutter head. It has a 2 knife CLAMSHELL cutter head. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the safety aspect of this cutter. I have read about some close calls people have had with the knives flying out of these. I would love to be able to use this in its original condition with the babbit bearings and all. And also, not sure how I would go about even retrofitting another cutter head on there. What are your thoughts on this?

[@daddywoofdawg]

So how high above the cutter head do you want the top of the blade? What type of Dial Indicator is that called? not brand but type I.e test or BACK PLUNGER or... I know nothing about Dial Indicators but would like to get one for just this type of use.

[@tedmckay]

Hi Keith - I have a Woodcrafts Equipment 20" jointer planner much like your16" Crescent.I am having trouble getting the risers to work smoothly when lowering and or lifting the tables. Did you experience any similar problems and if so are there changes to that system you might recommend? I think my machine was made about 1895

[@BarkerTimber]

Im trying to restore a Crescent 12 in jointer and its missing some of the plugs. Do you know any place selling these replacement head parts? Thank you

[@scottgoodsell8227]

I recently bought the same machine but 16 inch. I was wondering what kind of oil should I put in the drippers

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

Wow this is a long process. This time was just for one knife. Maybe I should have spent the money on the helical head.

[@diegomorales797]

Hola.. necesito esos Tornillos y la placa para maquina

[@paulmcguire3789]

I have found another channel to watch and learn. I wish I lived somewhere other than an apartment, not alowed to do anything fun or constructive. soon we'll need permission to flush the john.

[@paulmcguire3789]

yes they do

[@steveearwig]

Hi Keith, sorry to drag you back here but it's been bugging me since I watched this video a good few months back. It's pretty obvious here but, especially when the outlets are grouped together, I think it's a good idea to make sure you unplugged the right piece of equipment and not the one next to it (!) So I would suggest that, once the machine is unplugged, you should try starting it. Most of what I work on is electronics, so no danger of loosing any body mass, but I really don't like to be rewarded for my ineptitude with yet another electric shock... I suspect this would also discharge any power capacitor present, as these can hold quite a charge, enough to give you a nasty surprise.

[@VintageMachinery]

Not a bad suggestion. Since that machine is three phase and I only have one outlet for it close enough to plug it in, it is obvious to me that I have the right one unplugged. But in other situations, testing it is probably a safe thing to do.

[@jonka1]

Steve. Very good point and I'm right there with you. I was waiting for Keith to mention this but maybe he didn't think about it. Also tuning breakers off is not entirely safe. In industry I always took out a fuse or disconnected the wires in case a helpful person turned the supply back on.

[@mgmoody42]

I just checked that web address and I'm sad to say, apparently that domain is no longer active.

[@thelegendricky]

Keith Rucker- Do you know where these "Key Plugs" can be purchased? Or would you be willing to make some for friend of mine?

[@VintageMachinery]

I did a video series on making some of these key plugs a while back. At some point in time, I should probably make up another batch as there are always people wanting them, but no plans to do so any time soon.

[@thelegendricky]

Yeah, I saw that. Great work!!! I have a friend who needs some of these plugs for his jointer. Do you happen to know where he can buy some?

[@julietwhiskey01]

So all that rust can stay because it's 'patina'?

[@MikePalmer42]

nice cat

[@MikePalmer42]

Its good to have a little help in the workshop just have to watch yourself asking for there advice to offen

[@dalexs4720]

Hi Keith, I know from your other video you used to have a 12". I am awaiting delivery of mine. There are a few bits missing you may be able to help me with. owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157069&p=1058151#p1058151 Do you have any details on the safety guard you have fitted? Specific to this video I would like to know about the tools your using to raise the blades, one looks to have been made from a bolt, I'm not getting any tools with my machine so I would be intersted to get a better look at those. You moved to fast to see the end of the tool.

[@Opinionator52]

Hi Keith, I used to own a Crescent wood lathe like the one in the link below but with a bit larger distance between centers 60" and heftier bed... Sold it but have always wished I hadn't! O, vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=2809

[@ObviousSchism]

Cat @ 17:11

[@ObviousSchism]

She sounds like a cool cat :)

[@steveskouson9620]

First sighted at 15:07 or so. Yes, she IS a pretty cat. steve