Hey all, Took delivery of the G0500 8" jointer this weekend. Got it set up, but I have to wire in the 220 this week, so It's not yet been fired up. My question is how do I check for things like infeed table sag, flatness, etc?? I hear people say "its flat to within .003 over the table length" etc but I don't know how to measure that. I have a dial indicator with magnetic base, a couple engineers squares, and a dial caliper. Any info on how to check these specs would be much appreciated. I am a newbie to jointers so don't hold back any 'obvious' info I should already know. Thanks in advance!
Thoughts so far:
- Packing crate holding the top/tables was not good. 1/4" particle board with some 2x2s to hold the corners together. Bottom middle of the crate was falling apart. It would have been nice to carry it by the crate ends, but the jointer would have tore the crate in half if we tried that. Had to cut a long plywood platform to carry it on. Not a big deal. Anyways, the inner packing of the crate was still in good shape and the machine seemed to be well intact.
- The top is indeed very heavy, but it was not difficult to move for 2 guys. Less of a problem than I thought it would be. We had to go down a flight of stairs. For anyone worried about moving this as I was : don't be.
- Assembly was simple, but the step where you loosen the motor mounting plate bolts was a bear, because you can barely get any leverage between the plate and the floor. Hardly any wrench travel space and your arm crammed under the machine. Plus the bolts are VERY tightly torqued from the factory, so the initial 'crack' of the bolt was not easy. UGH.
- The finish of the paint and cast iron surfaces looks top notch. Not a scratch on it. The tables appear to be perfectly aligned, and the fence 90 stop is right on.
- The machine is very beefy and does indeed feel like a battleship as someone mentioned. Now looking at 6" jointers in the store they look tiny. Although with it pushed up against the wall, its not going to be as overwhelmign as I was worried it would be.
Thanks for any setup info/hints you can muster, and I'll post again after I get it plugged in and cutting wood. I apperciate all the advice I received leading up to my decision to get this machine. I think it will serve me well for a long time.
-Rob