Jeff Posten
02-15-2023, 4:33 PM
This is a cross-post from the Minimax Owners Group forum, and I was hoping maybe the larger viewership here would get me back up and running after many frustrating days. Apologies in advance for the wordiness as I try and describe my issue.
I have a FS-41C jointer planer combo unit which I am trying to calibrate the tables on.
Background: I purchased the used machine a little over a year ago from an original owner, and it was shipped from Texas to Colorado by a semi-professional service. He is an experienced long haul driver, but not white glove, and used his personal truck and rented enclosed trailer for the delivery. I don't believe any damage occurred during transport. Other than powering it up to verify it worked, unfortunately due to some life commitments, I was out of the shop until recently. In December I tried to mill up some stock for cutting board gifts, only to realize it was out of alignment in both length and width. With so much time passing, I'm not sure if contacting the owner is appropriate as there wasn't any cosmetic or visually apparent damage upon receipt.
Issue: during calibration/adjustment, when I tighten the hinge bolts on my tables, the tables skew relative to the knives. (Pictures attached). When everything is loose, I can shift the tables so they are visually close, but as soon as I tighten down my hinge bolts past snug, it brings my user-side corners out of alignment, and they end up closer to the knife than the hinge side.
I can physically keep the tables from shifting by using my hip against the table while I tighten the bolts, but as soon as I get past snug on the bolts, the table skews no matter how much I try. While both tables do this, the infeed is much more pronounced at about 3/16”. While tightening the bolts, you can visually watch the table corners move closer to the blade with each turn of the wrench.
I investigated some different ideas, which unfortunately didn't get me closer to a solution. I tried:
1. adjusting the level of the machine (my garage floor slightly slopes in both directions as required by code). It was relatively level during my initial trials (using a machinist level), but I have since removed the floor shims in order for all four legs to sit on the concrete. The machine is no longer level across its length or width, but is stable. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to make a difference relative to the tables…
2. inserting shim stock from “outside” of hinge side in an attempt to create a wedge and prevent the table from skewing while tightening the bolt. I was previously inserting the shim stock from the inside.
Side note: if someone has instructions on how they have adjusted their tables I would appreciate whatever information you have. While I got close before I realized the skew issue, I think it was by luck. I do recognize this is a dance and everyone’s journey is different.
I have been chasing my tail for over a month at this point and I am further away than when I started. Unfortunately, we don't have any SCM dealers in Colorado.
495532 495533 495534 495535
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
I have a FS-41C jointer planer combo unit which I am trying to calibrate the tables on.
Background: I purchased the used machine a little over a year ago from an original owner, and it was shipped from Texas to Colorado by a semi-professional service. He is an experienced long haul driver, but not white glove, and used his personal truck and rented enclosed trailer for the delivery. I don't believe any damage occurred during transport. Other than powering it up to verify it worked, unfortunately due to some life commitments, I was out of the shop until recently. In December I tried to mill up some stock for cutting board gifts, only to realize it was out of alignment in both length and width. With so much time passing, I'm not sure if contacting the owner is appropriate as there wasn't any cosmetic or visually apparent damage upon receipt.
Issue: during calibration/adjustment, when I tighten the hinge bolts on my tables, the tables skew relative to the knives. (Pictures attached). When everything is loose, I can shift the tables so they are visually close, but as soon as I tighten down my hinge bolts past snug, it brings my user-side corners out of alignment, and they end up closer to the knife than the hinge side.
I can physically keep the tables from shifting by using my hip against the table while I tighten the bolts, but as soon as I get past snug on the bolts, the table skews no matter how much I try. While both tables do this, the infeed is much more pronounced at about 3/16”. While tightening the bolts, you can visually watch the table corners move closer to the blade with each turn of the wrench.
I investigated some different ideas, which unfortunately didn't get me closer to a solution. I tried:
1. adjusting the level of the machine (my garage floor slightly slopes in both directions as required by code). It was relatively level during my initial trials (using a machinist level), but I have since removed the floor shims in order for all four legs to sit on the concrete. The machine is no longer level across its length or width, but is stable. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to make a difference relative to the tables…
2. inserting shim stock from “outside” of hinge side in an attempt to create a wedge and prevent the table from skewing while tightening the bolt. I was previously inserting the shim stock from the inside.
Side note: if someone has instructions on how they have adjusted their tables I would appreciate whatever information you have. While I got close before I realized the skew issue, I think it was by luck. I do recognize this is a dance and everyone’s journey is different.
I have been chasing my tail for over a month at this point and I am further away than when I started. Unfortunately, we don't have any SCM dealers in Colorado.
495532 495533 495534 495535
Thanks in advance,
Jeff