Jointer questions?

[Fla_Jim]

I'm a new guy to this forum.
She who must be obeyed (SWMBO) has decided she wants a new kitchen. Due to the spacial challenges of my mostly machine tool 200 square foot shop, I'm resurrecting my old 1973 vintage MKV shopsmith.
I just picked up a used band saw, and an old "Magna" jointer.
I have a couple of questions about the jointer.
How much offset is allowed on the coupling? It has the old straight mounting tubes. I have close to a 1/4" side offset. It seems to run smooth though.
Also I see there's a plastic guard with fingers upgrade. Is this worth the cost? The old Magna guard works perfect. I think I'd prefer aluminum to plastic?
I have a lot of accessories, I've accumulated over the years, including the shaper stuff.
Thanks
Jim Davenport

[8iowa]

Hello Jim:

I will suggest that you obtain the eccentric mounting tubes (5020809). They are not terribly expensive and will enable you to properly align the jointer with the headstock. !/4" offset is too much for the speed that the jointer runs.

The jointer has only had two basic upgrades, the featherboard guard and the dust chute. The jointer can generate a lot of dust and chips in a very short time, with a dust collector, such as the DC3300, the dust chute will be essential in keeping your shop and home clean. I find that the featherboard guard is very helpful for edge jointing in preperation for glue ups. It keeps the stock tight against the fence, maintaining the 90 degree cut. For flattening boards it doesn't offer much if any advantage over the old guard.