Jointer blades

[mrblanche]

I have a ShopSmith my wife inherited from her dad. Made (and bought) about 1985.

But he left it in essentially an open shed, and it has a fair amount of rust. I'm slowly getting parts refurbished, as I attempt to build an electric guitar.

Today, I got out the jointer and started cleaning it up. I pulled one of the blades out, and it has a pretty good nick in it, maybe 1/16 inch deep. I got out my sharpening tools (and went and bought a new large stone), but in examining that blade (and the other one I've pulled out), it seems to have a curve to the cutting edge, slightly higher in the middle. It doesn't appear to have ever been sharpened (and the edge was actually pretty good), so before I get too radical, I figured I'd better make sure that isn't the way it's supposed to be.

[Fla_Jim]

You need to put the edge next to a straight edge, such as a combination square blade. The eyes can sometimes deceive.
By the way you didn't give where you're located.
If you're close to me, I'd sharpen your blades for you.

[beeg]

And the jointer knives are on sale till midnight 08/03/2010.

[dusty]

I have a ShopSmith my wife inherited from her dad. Made (and bought) about 1985.

But he left it in essentially an open shed, and it has a fair amount of rust. I'm slowly getting parts refurbished, and I attempt to build an electric guitar.

Today, I got out the jointer and started cleaning it up. I pulled one of the blades out, and it has a pretty good nick in it, maybe 1/16 inch deep. I got out my sharpening tools (and went and bought a new large stone), but in examining that blade (and the other one I've pulled out), it seems to have a curve to the cutting edge, slightly higher in the middle. It doesn't appear to have ever been sharpened (and the edge was actually pretty good), so before I get too radical, I figured I'd better make sure that isn't the way it's supposed to be.Where are you located? There may be help righht around the corner. Consider filling out your personal profile. It often helps in these discussions.

[charlese]

I recommend buying a new set of jointer knives.- http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/j_jointerknives.htm Then you will have a set to use while sharpening others.

Also recommend taking a good look at the wedges and screws. If they are rusted - replace. All these parts are available from Shopsmith. The knives are tapered (wider at the bottom). These fit the SS jointer. Don't use flat knives.

Knives can be easily sharpened with a conical sanding disk - fine sandpaper and a sharpening jig. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/j_knifesharpener.htm

Sorry to recommend spending $, but this is really the easy way to do it correctly.

[mrblanche]

Sorry, the Dallas area.

No, I've put then up against a straight edge, and there's a definite curve.