I'm getting ready to replace my jointer knives on a DJ20. I'm not quite ready to invest in a helical head, so I'm sticking with straight knives for now. In the past, I've relied on a square and a lot of patience for height adjustments, but I'm curious to hear what tools or methods others recommend for easily setting the knife heights.
4 Answers
Swapping out jointer knives can be a hassle, but it helps to use a knife setting jig. If I remember correctly, mine came with the jointer, though it was a bit tricky to use. I’d recommend checking for some decent magnetic options. They attach directly to the cutter head and work better than those that sit across the beds. I rarely adjust the infeed and outfeed beds when replacing blades.
YouTube has loads of tutorials on this! But I totally understand wanting some fresh insights that aren’t just the typical videos. Sometimes, hearing directly from experienced users brings up tips you just can’t find online.
You should give magnetic knife setting jigs a shot. They really simplify the process of aligning the knives evenly with the outfeed table. They're fairly affordable and can save you a ton of frustration during setup.
I’ve heard using strong magnets to hold the blade parallel to the outfeed table works really well. I used to use a regular magnetic jig, but honestly, I hated setting up the knives so much that I ended up getting a Byrd spiral helical head. The convenience has been worth every penny!