Jointer Blade Change

Just bought an old Craftsman jointer and it was in need of a tuneup. Cleaned it up and put new blades in it. Setting the height of the new blades made this jointer work so much better.
Craftsman Jointer Blades amzn.to/3FevMkR

[@chrisschultz6129]

Good video but one mistake. You lowered your indeed table to give yourself working clearance but what you used as a straightedge referenced both tables. You align your blades to the out feed table only, preferably with a longer straightedge. Keep making sawdust.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

You are right, thanks for making this comment to help others!

[@BlackPowderTherapist]

Thanks for making this. I just picked up this jointer. Been sitting in a barn for 20 years. Really rusty but still works. I'm restoring it now. Just got the top steel brushed off and disassembled

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Oh good, such a great feeling bringing back a useful tool

[@casketmaker147]

I just bought the same jointer a couple weeks ago. Lucky for me the blades are sharp but now i know how to change the blades when it comes time.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

They don’t build tools like these anymore, built like a tank

[@darenengelage2803]

Just got the same jointer for 150 in really good condition. Had to go all through it and adjust everything. Really love the older tools.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Right, the thing is a tank! Still doing the job too.

[@toonybrain]

I have this model and if my blades are dull - not damaged - I sharpen them myself. There are inexpensive diamond sharpening jigs on Amazon to help. Often , the blades just need to be burnished with a screwdriver shaft or other hard steel right there in place. I have spare blades, but I rarely need them. This is a sturdy, dependable jointer. I’ve fiddled with every part on it to learn how it works so I can fine tune it and fix it, if need be.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Thanks for the insight. The table has been working great, built like a tank.

[@olddave4833]

exactly like the one I just had given to me and I got the same blades from Amazon, happy to see this post as I have no manuakl thanks

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Thanks for taking the time to say so!

[@robertniemeyer4079]

Thanks! I have this same jointer as of a few days ago and was wondering exactly how to get the blades just right. I like your technique.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Awesome, thank you!

[@davidleroy7708]

Thanks for making this video. I have the same jointer and am in need of blade replacement too.

[@davidleroy7708]

Now I just need to see how you make an infeed and outfeed table for it!

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Glad I could help, makes a huge difference getting the blades set right. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@captainslam]

Thanks…like most of the commenters I just bought this same jointer!

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

They don’t make them like this anymore. Built like a tank and still working great

[@TechSpeak]

Thank you for your video. Have the same jointer and I’ve been struggling with snipe. Some great tips. Any chance you’d make a video on bearing replacement? I could use some tips

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Glad it helped. One thing I do now is take off as little as I can and do multiple passes. Downward pressure on the outfeed helps too. The jointer is working great still, just used it today. No need to replace the bearings yet, but if I need to I will do a video.

[@ForestWoodworks]

Dude, I wish the table saw I'm restoring started out that nice! Other than some clean up, was this already restored or just kept really well?

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

It was kept in pretty good condition. It need a lot of tough cleaning though!

[@ForestWoodworks]

@@AlaskaWorkshop Looks great! Nice find.

[@masterlordking]

Just got the same jointer can I ask what the leaver in the middle back side is for and

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

I have no idea actually, it appears to only hold the cover over the pulley. Let me know if you find out.

[@Neibs]

I recently bought this same model off Offerup. The thing runs good but it's time to change the blades and I'm guessing they haven't been changed in many years. I got the set screws out but the part by the blades does not pry up easily like yours did. I've sprayed it with WD40, penetrating blaster, etc. but I can't get the thing to pry up to change the blades. Any ideas, pointers?

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

You are talking about the wedges right? There was one that was a little more rusted than the others making it a little harder. I would spray the heck out of it again, let it sit overnight and try again. Good luck, it has been a great jointer for me.

[@Neibs]

Yes I’m talking about the wedges. I can’t get them out. I will try to spray it again and let it sit and see what happens. Your flat head screwdriver just popped right in there and got them out, at least on the one. I wish mine did that!

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

@@Neibs Just keep soaking it. You may need a hammer at the end of that screwdriver!

[@augustwest8559]

This craftsman style jointer with a fixed outfeed table is one of the worst jointers you can find in the wild today. The knives are held by 2 1/4 20 screws they are known to let the knives fly out. This happened to me when I owned before the internet was available. The fixed outfeed is also a handicap. Just because it’s old and us made doesn’t make it great.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Yikes, can't imagine flying knifes around the shop. What jointer did you end up with?

[@morkstrling4482]

When the blade came out of the wedge, did you measure the length from the back out to the cutting edge? The book says no shorter than 5/8 of an inch minimal. If you grind down the blade any farther you now have less of a clamp by the wedge holding blade in place. Today I found mine at the ½ length and I just now ordered a new pair. I have had my Craftsman jointer just like this one since 1988 and never had a problem with blades coning loose. This jointer is built like a tank.

[@johnmanfra4224]

What kind of jointer is this?

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

It is an old Craftsman, built like a tank

[@BlackPowderTherapist]

Cast iron frame, heavy as a bitch. But they are great