I hone my blades per the instructions that came with the 54a jointer, which means holding a sharpening stone over the blades and firing up the jointer (using precautions as listed in the manual). I like to do that because I'm not perfect at getting 3 blades precisely set to the same gnat's ass height. Once I think I'm within 2 or 3 thou, I let the stone do the "rest".
Dave
Seems to me that this would somewhat negate the whole point of putting a specific bevel angle on the blade, if you're just going to grind it off again after remounting the blades.
Chris
seems to me the mfgr, who supplied the replacement blades, doesn't see a problem, Chris. the process is "honing". it's very subtle.
Dave
I took a look at the 54A manual that's on-line at Powermatic's web site and it states:
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THEY CHANGED THE INSTRUCTIONS!! I'VE GOT THE MANUAL IN FRONT OF ME AND IT STATES ON PAGE 14, STEP NUMBER 4, TURN THE MACHINE ON.
there is a picture showing a block of wood held by a clamp.
SO THERE!!!
Nice try, and thanks for playing
i can scan the entire page and put it on the binaries if you'd like!
Dave
that date of my manual is 06/01
some idiot probably hurt himself, so they changed the instructions.
they work for me...
Dave
I agree.
The fact that Powermatic changed the manual might be a hint.
I posted the page on the binaries. check it out! :)
dave
Dave, they method you describe is what we did at a tech college in the
1960-1970s era. There was a specific jig to hold the stone although I have seen it done just holding the stone freehand on the outfeed table.There are safety concerns in doing this, for us it was done at least weekly by the same person.
The new instruction mentioned in other posts suggest that somebody had a nasty accident.
Dave, my 54A's manual says the same thing. It's scary, no? Plus you've got to be sure your stone is flat.If you're diligent about knife setting, the "honing" isn't necessary. Besides, it scratches up the outfeed table. You wouldn't live in the Bay Area by any chance, would you? Tom
the first time I tried it, I had sweaty palms! :)
The second time I honed, I was more calm about the whole thing.
Yeah, San Jose. (The land of way overpriced lumber)
I wanted to ask DMT if their stones were up for this sort of thing, but they never got back to me. I'd expect that wouldn't be a good idea (for the DMT stone, that is).
Dave
He is back only a matter of time I guess. Relax
Joey, I'm relaxed. Perhaps a smiley would have helped convey the tone better!!
Dave
Dude lose the caps BTW my 54A instructions had the same stoning recommendation I decided it was not a proceedure for me. I have resharpened my blades once and reset with a dial indicator to bout 1-2 thou. The faced and jointed results are excellant. Results rule Joey
actually, the procedure produces excellent results. perfectly aligned blades and SHARP (I couldn't end this w/o some CAPS for you)
Dave
I agree with Chris ,so what is the point of the bevel on the blades. The more this procedure is performed the more screwed up the blade geometry becomes .......mjh
I think there was some reference to using paper to protect the table; I wonder how well that really works. I'd also be concerned about getting all the grit and filings inside the works of the jointer.
dave
FWIW,
It's also at completely the wrong angle.
Bad idea. Don't do it.
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