Restoration 4' Craftsman Jointer / Planer

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[karenzagar]

HI all. I have the exact model but it was all out of adjustment, particularly on the INFEED table that made the jointing process impossible. After some hunting and pecking, here is what I found to remedy the alignment problem, with the tables. It is quite a simple procedure.


First, turn the unit over so you can see the underside. Keep the table adjustment knob on your right and back it off so the table is lowered somewhat. Next, remove the plastic dust port cover and the half moon shaped dust port adjustment plastic fitting. Then remove the metal plate (4 screws) that covers the cutting blade assembly. This helps expose two hex bolts and two small "set screws" that are on the outside of the two bolts. I don't believe you need to remove the front cover (sorry...just can't remember) but if you do, it is only one small screw on the top/middle and two small machine screws underneath on both corners. NO need to disconnect and wiring!


Now, look to the right and you will see two more identical hex bolt heads and two more small "set screws". These bolts/screws are your adjustments. Often these small screws are missing but essential to properly adjust the infeed table. Now, loosen all four hex bolts but do not take them out. Back them off about 1/2 inch. Next loosen the four set screws (you will need a hex Allen Key) almost to the point of falling out, but be careful not to drop them. (I bought for new ones from ACE Hardware - 1/4-20 size that are a bit longer than the original ones and have a flat head screw driver head for adjustment). Also, make certain you lower the infeed table with the adjustment knob before you start making any adjustments with the bolts and set screws. At this point, the infeed table will be quite loose and flopping around....that is GOOD.


OK, here we go: Flip the jointer on its long side, resting the fence side on your work table. This will give you access to see both the top of the tables and the underside where the bolts/screws are. Take a good straight-edge and place it on the OUTFEED table to check for plane. The infeed table will be quite low at this point. Now, starting with the left most hex bolts, start tightening the one near the fence. It will begin to bring that side/edge of the table down to the height of the outfeed table which is NOT adjustable. You can also tighten the other hex bolt, little by little, to keep up with the first bolt you started with, alternating from one to the other. Now, as you tighten the two hex bolts slowly, you will see that the edge of the infeed table will be brought closer to the level of the outfeed table. When you get it to be at the same level as the outfeed table, stop tightening the nex bolts, but now you tighten the two set screws to LOCK it in place. Crank them down pretty well but do not go crazy with torque.


OK, on to the right side bolts which will level the right side of the infeed table to be on the same plane as the outfeed table., Again, starting at the fence side bolt, slowly tighten it to lower the right side of the table, alternating between each of the two bolts to keep things even. When your straight edge shows no gaps between the two tables, most notable at the cutting head area, then tighten the two set screws as above. You can check to make certain the infeed table is now in perfect plane with the outfeed table by sliding the corner of your staight edge from one side of the table to the other (from the fence to the outside edge. If there is any pitch from one side to the other, readjust the offending bolt and hex screw. TAKE YOUR TIME. When you are satisfied with the leveling, slightly re-tighten the two hex bolts just a bit to snug them up and put pressure on the set screws (keeps them from backing out).


Go grab a cool beer or other adult beverage....you are done. Total time to do all this was about 15-20 minutes. It takes more time to describe the process than to do it. Now you can turn the knob to raise the table to just BELOW the outfeed table (I used a credit card thickness) to the desired depth) and the jointer will be in near perfect plane and level.


Hope this helps. Dr. Z

[MK]

This video is just what I needed. I just discovered today that I have one of these that was buried in the garage that I obtained many years ago. It works, I just need to give it a good cleaning.

[markknize]

Thanks for the great video! The belt just broke on my machine and I found the cutterhead bearings were very rough. I decided to turn the machine on its front side and just oil the rear bearing in place... letting gravity pull the oil into the bearing as I rotated the cutterhead back and forth. I turned the machine on its backside to oil the front bearing the same way. this worked very well and took less time without the risk of damaging the bearings by disassembly/ reassembly without the correct pullers.

[EverydayTools]

Great job on your restoration. Love the find!

[karenzagar]

OK...a slight correction on my lengthy note. In the 4th paragraph, I stated that once you loosen the hex bolts and set screws that hold the infeed table in place, the table will be quite LOW. NOT CORRECT! With the unit on its side, the table will most likely be quite loose and move ABOVE the cutting head and outfeed table. It is from THIS point that by tightening the hex bolts you will bring the table DOWN to meet up with the outfeed table edge and then lock it into place with the small set screws. Sorry. Dr. Z. If you follow the instructions below, you will end up with a really powerful little jointed. OH and one more tidbit....


These small units most often just plane a board on its harrow edge, right? I was told by a wood working friend of mine to attach several thicknesses of sacrificial board to the metal fence (there are a few holes in it to do that) to keep from wearing out just the small portion of the blades near the fence. By adding different thickness to the fence, you can better distribute the cutting wear along the entire 4 1/8 th long blades. Worth a try. Dr Z

[ryanpetrill]

This is great! I picked up the same exact model earlier this week at a garage sale, and I’ll be restoring it thanks to this video!

[lookup]

Me too just like it, thanks for the video, I found that when setting the knife heighth, two flat maginets on a piece of paper works very well I changed the button head Allen screws to bolts so I can get in there with a wrench to tighten while the magnets are holding the knives

[patricklacson]

My Dad just gave me his 1990s Crafstman planer but the 6-1/8inch and it's in bad shape too. I wanted to replace the knives but not sure how to set the height of the blades. Are you just focusing that they are both the same height on each side and for both blades?

[rockybull]

Hi, I've got a joint similar to this one, it was my dad's, I've tried to get it to run but it won't, I can get the blades to rotate but that's it. Got any ideas?? Thanks, David

[ablake]

I hope you are able to answer this...can you tell me how you were able to change the belt? I see you pull pieces apart but I cannot get the big Rolly thing to come off. Yours seems like it just popped off. My belt is shredded.

[anthonychavez]

Karen zagar thank you so much for your post and how to adjust feed table I bought a Sears Craftsman 4 and 1/8 jointer planer and it was out of whack I followed your instructions and got it leveled thank you so much for your instructions and post.

[ablake]

Please help! I have this one but I cannot figure out how to take the belt off. How did you do it?

[maggew]

Great job... thanks for sharing!

There is one of these exact same models on craigslist for $100 — is it worth it? Or am I better off getting a $350+ amazon model?

[gavin]

Perfect video. No bullshit 10 minute intro of "I've been getting a lot of requests to make a video like this blah blah blah". Captured all steps and time-lapsed well. ONLY improvement would be to show the products for another second or two so we can write them down.

[bradthorne]

Where can I find replacement blades?? I have the exact same machine. Thanks in advance!

[kamaksi]

Anyone know where I can find a replacement motor for this! I was given one with a toasted motor. Wires are bare.

[DynamicalJon]

What grit did you hit the tables with to remove the rust?

[xPWNx]

Great, thanks
I'm actually picking one of these up today and will refurbish in a similar fashion!

[raywright]

When looking at my lower belt bearing, it seems to be out of 90 degree alignment. When I took the cover off (because I thought belt broke), it had slipped off the bearings. When i put the belt back on and hand rolled the belt, the belt slowly moved to edge of smaller/lower bearing which is what I think led to slipping off. Is there a way to align the lower motor/bearing? I see 3 screws underneath the surface plate and above the motor when looking from below.

[donkeyjoe]

How much would you pay for something like this pre restoration