Jointer Knife Setting Jig

Set jointer knives with an easy to make magnetic jig.
If your knives set too high you can use blue tape on the jig region that extends over the knives. This will push the knives down by 2-3 thou.
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[@frankwiddifield7520]

Very informal, thank you. I went about finding top dead center a different way. I didn't like the stick method either because it moved at inconsistently over multiple attempts, and I don't have a dial indicator. So what I did was set a rule down over the blade from outfeed table, noted where the blade began to lift the ruler, and noted the point the ruler set back down on the table, then split the difference, set my blade to that measurement, then put a square on the fence referenced on the blade and made my mark. Hope this helps others. 🙏

[@GarageWoodworks]

So much easier with an indicator. You can get them on Amazon for ~$25. You will find so many uses for them - see my website for other uses. They should come with all table saws and other large power equipment for setup/maintenance, but unfortunately they don’t.

[@taffynz90]

I just bought some new jointer knives and made these magnetic jigs as per your instructions. Installed the knives double checked the alignment and put a test piece through. All I can say is brilliant !!! 10/10 great, great job. Thanks very very much!

[@brucematthews6417]

A great idea for a home made option. And one of the nicest videos I've seen on this topic. Your presentation was simple, short and yet got the idea across without a lot of needless "filler". WELL DONE! Off to make up my own set now!

[@GarageWoodworks]

+Bruce Matthews Thank you.

[@janders7372]

I bought new jointer knives to use while my originals are out for sharpening, but Ive been reluctant to put them in. I thought I would need to buy an expensive jig to set the new knives. Your solution is brilliant and simple thanks for sharing.

[@peterbrownwastaken]

I actually am in need of this. I just finished restoring an old Delta jointer and have never installed knives before. Thanks!

[@GarageWoodworks]

I'm glad it came in handy. Let me know if I can help out at all.

[@floppyknockers]

Best jointer jig I've seen. I think the 5 TD's are just jealous of your sweet, sweet shorts, dude. Good job.

[@GarageWoodworks]

Ha! Funniest comment I've had in a while. :)

[@JhunM69]

Macaroni N Cheese! THAT'S THE BEST BLADE SETTING JIG I'VE SEEN ! I'm just starting to learn woodworking, still in the process of acquiring "must have" equipment's and always searching for best practice... Thanks for sharing your idea...

[@piggybladder]

Best knife setting jig I've seen and boy have I been lookin. Obv you're setting your knives at the exact same height as the outfeed table whereas most experts say the knives should be set slighlty higher to prevent planing bananas. But it ain't hard to adapt these jigs for that, e.g. on a router table. And as it's only a coupla small pieces of wood, one is able to experiment for one's individual needs or preferences. So top marks for that.

[@zafardurrani9544]

Very good idea and nice invention I like it, Thank you for this wonderful video

[@mmanut]

Nice jig, very simple but very effective. Great Video, Vinny

[@michaelaldan6969]

like many others I struggled getting the knives straight and eventhis is a great solution, thank you sir !

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Thanks for the jig and info, my jointer came without any setting tools as it was second hand so now I can set the knives up without having to guess where they should be.

[@jasonmock848]

Thank you! This is a jig that will work for my cutter head as well (~60s Rockwell delta) that doesn't have the bolts that way, they actually sandwhich the blades from the side.

[@jessdemerath]

I have an old craftsman that I have been dreading changing the blades on but your jig looks like it may be the ticket.Thaks for the great vid.

[@kdmerkle]

This technique worked perfectly! Thank you. The only thing I did differently (after learning a gooey, sticky, epoxy-is-long-past-its-expiration-date lesson) is to use super glue for the magnets.

[@jonq8714]

This is the best method I've seen. I dig it. Subscribed.

[@weekendwoodworker3220]

Thanks from Brazil for sharing your ideas!!! realy like it all.

[@OllyParryJones]

A great idea! So simple and I love the notch idea which makes it almost foolproof.

[@benzampino5248]

I tried your idea but I made it like the one advertised on Woodcraft the only thing that didn't work for me was the positive stop I sanded them down and used them not a stop but as a location point on my out feed table. I don't know what I did wrong but the out come results are working. Thank for the idea

[@wmwalkerco]

Perfect! This will be perfect for the new-to-me 8" Jointer I just bought and cleaned up. Thanks!

[@GarageWoodworks]

Awesome! Congrats on the new jointer!

[@wmwalkerco]

I just gave this video some love on my latest video on the new jointer :)

[@WayneClarkwoodshop]

That's the best setup I seen anywhere.

[@GarageWoodworks]

As long as I push down on the jig firmly on the side I am tightening I have no issues. I can get the blades aligned to within 0.001" of the outfeed table.

[@bullfrogpondshop3179]

Sweet little jig! Wish I had seen this a week ago. Also like your epoxy mixing trick! Subbed.

[@Woodentoolcompany2]

Nice video and good thinking. Man you sure got all the goodies to play with!

[@sandrinevictorialilylouben7372]

Great video, I finnaly succed to setting up my jointer :) I haven't use magnet but it works. Thanks.

[@nedcramdon1306]

10 years later. I made these many years ago but can't remember where I saw them.

[@gamingSlasher]

Nice neighbourhood and weather you have.

[@Whitebassonly]

Excellent method! Thanks!

[@adamthewoodworkinglawyer]

Hi there. I am really confused about something. Can you explain why we need to find top dead center before using the magnetic? Because in my mind, because the wood is flat, at it's coming from the outfield side, why can't you just slide the wood over the cutter head and tighten the blade? Like, why does it have to be in that exact position with the line when you tighten it in?

[@lilypower]

really great and suprisingly easy :) good work, keep em coming...

[@ChrystianGuy]

Simple and brilliant! Thanks :)

[@ichoozjc]

Cool thanks. I just made a jig for my dial indicator. Works pretty good but I have issues with the blades moving while I'm locking them down. Do you have any issues with them moving while your tightening, using your jig?

[@crumbocrumbo6814]

Chris E I have an old craftmans jointer I have been using a magnet for year's. I snug up the set screws so there is a little resistance the blades are slightly wider than the cutter head I use a screwdriver to move them to gently nudged them up toward the magnet. Than I have to rotate the cutter head to fully tighten the blades. Hope this helps

[@marcelinanoss8825]

i dont see your plans for this device on your website...also .. how deep is the dado cut you made on the table saw?

[@GarageWoodworks]

There are no plans.

[@resetter]

but it actually pushes the blade up past the outfeed table, its a mini jointer/thicknesser, so it comes with a little tool to fit on the outfeed table and makes you push the edge down with a metal tool.... So removing the springs and using a magnet seems like a better idea to me, correct me if I'm wrong but otherwise this jig would not work.

[@TimothyHall13]

Great jig! I have noticed that your scrap bin is full of cherry!

[@David-ew9rg]

Great video. Just bought an older 6" jointer and am working on getting it in shape (not truly restoring). I want to build these jigs but wanted to know which magnets did you use? I checked you Amazon store but didn't see them. It would help me a lot if you can post the link or let me know. Thanks for all your videos. They are very informative and inspire a lot of ideas.

[@daddywoofdawg]

Use rare earth magnets you can find them on ebay

[@CosmasBauer]

Really cool!

[@johnfrancis2227]

Nice and easy jig, thanks. What Loctite epoxy are you using? The local hardware shop in my neck of the woods does not have any epoxy. Perhaps if i know the 'Loctite Number' I might have more luck finding it elsewhere.

[@24revealer]

Thanks, appreciate you sharing this.

[@danielmazur517]

This is awesome

[@100Ronster]

I'm going to use this tip. Thank you.

[@walterrider9600]

great idea thank you

[@BigSidtrous]

So Brian...I'm just wondering what purpose the jack screws have? Of all the alignment videos I've watched no one has used them for their intended purpose. I'm trying to set up my 8" Grizzly jointer and the manual says to use them for raising and lowering the knives. Is this something you're doing off-camera or are you leaving the jack screws set at their lowest position for new knives?

[@WV591]

Good job.

[@PrepItForward]

Nice tip...now all I need is a jointer!

[@dutenn]

Mind blowing!

[@taurus2001dohc]

Thanks, great vids!

[@GarageWoodworks]

Awesome. Thank you! :)

[@tatangmubarok3171]

Bro what is the size of the magnet?

[@0517doc11]

excellent can't wait to make this THANK YOU :-)

[@julioaguiar3660]

Thank you!

[@MrNoobed]

fantastic

[@EduardoRodriguez-iw8rf]

Size of the magnets?

[@mechanoid5739]

Neat solution but how do you know that the magnets for the blades in the two jigs are in identical positions with reference to the bottom face? If they are not flush or protruding by the same amount then the blades would be set at a slight angle.

[@GarageWoodworks]

+Mechanoid 57 All magnets are slightly recessed.

[@mechanoid5739]

Cool! Thanks for the explanation! That makes more sense now! :)

[@fredrik.larsen]

So the knifes should be same height as the outfeed table? I thought it was suppose to be slightly higher. Thanks

[@GarageWoodworks]

+soundiscomforting You want them flush. Think about how a jointer works and what would cause snipe. Why would you want it to be higher?

[@fredrik.larsen]

Good point. That makes total sense. Thanks

[@GarageWoodworks]

If your knives are 2-3 thou higher than the outfeed table you likey will not notice any bad performance but there is no rule that they should be slightly higher - flush is optimum. However, the knives should never be set lower than the outfeed table by any amount. I typically shoot for 0.000" - 0.003" but 0.000" (flush) is optimum. I hope that makes sense.

[@fredrik.larsen]

It makes perfect sense. Thank you for replying and for sharing all the great content :)

[@resetter]

This is a great idea indeed, I need a dial indicator now.... guess ill remove the little springs under my planer blades

[@heuwel]

I followed your "instructions" in making this jig and it seems to work great but U still get wahboard effect on boards...Ive reinstalled blades etc bt still the same...can you give some advice...??

[@GarageWoodworks]

+Robert Brand The "Washboard effect" is the result of the blades spinning in a circular motion. It's normal. Some refer to it as scalloping. You can minimize it by taking a shallower cut.

[@heuwel]

Thank you for the response...I will try it and let you know....

[@vallejokid1968]

Nice. Thanks yo

[@rrobaina1000]

quisiera si puedes venderme este producto para mi cante adora y cuanto costaria

[@edadpops1709]

Love magnets

[@nadienone]

11 years old dont justify the fact that the knives need exceed the heigh of the out table.... cant be at the same measure of the dial ...

[@3iffyhouses]

Very good video except for the annoying music.

[@GarageWoodworks]

Very good comment except for the rude ending.

[@hedorah99]

No, I do NOT have ham. :(

[@cvekic]

Thank you!