Checking Knives - General International 80-250 Setup & Operation Manual

CHECKING KNIVES

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE MACHINE FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE SERVICING OR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS.
FAILURE TO HEED THIS WARNING CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.
Accurate work results can only be achieved when all four
knives are properly installed and set to the exact same height
in the cutterhead. To verify if the knives are set properly, use the
supplied knife setting gauge following the steps below for each
of the four knives:
1. Turn off and disconnect the machine from the power source.
2. To give yourself unimpeded access to the cutterhead and
knives, raise or remove the blade guard.
3. Using the table height adjustment wheels lower the tables
enough to allow the knife setting gauge to fit fully on the
cutterhead.
4. Set the gauge onto the cutterhead with the center refe-
rence pads of the gauge sitting directly above a knife.
5. Observe how the gauge sits on the cutterhead and how/if the knife touches the center reference pads. The
ideal position has both sets of feet of the gauge sitting flush on the cutterhead and the knife barely touching
the center reference pads on the gauge.
6. Should any (or all) of the knives not be set properly proceed to the next section: "Knife Setting or Replacement"
KNIFE SETTING OR REPLACEMENT
Properly setting all four knives is essential to achieving accurate
work results. Properly set knives will last longer and also keep
their edge (sharpness) longer by equally sharing the cutting
workload. You may use the supplied knife setting gauge to help
you set the knives to the correct height whenever re-setting or
changing knives.
Note: If you prefer you may also find other "aftermarket" gauges,
jigs or knife setting tools that are to your liking – ask your local
tool distributor for information on any such tools that may be
available in your market.
The cutterhead on this unit is supplied with both adjustment
springs and jack screws providing you with two options for set-
ting the knives. We suggest you try each method at least once or twice and decide for yourself which method works
best and fastest for you.
1. Turn off and disconnect the machine from the power source.
2. To give yourself unimpeded access to the cutterhead and knives, raise or remove the
blade guard and lower the tables as far as they go.
3. Rotate the cutterhead to access one of the knives.
4. Loosen (but don't remove) all the gib bolts – start in the center and alternate sides
(If replacing an old or damaged knife, loosen the bolts until the knife can be removed
and install a new sharpened knife). Then position the gauge over the selected knife.
5. a) To use the Jack Screws to set the knife height use an allen wrench to turn the screws
to raise or lower the knife as needed until the ideal position - both sets of feet of the
gauge sitting flush on the cutterhead and the knife barely touching the center reference
pads on the gauge – has been achieved. Repeat for the other 3 knives.
b) To use the adjustment springs to set the knife height, push the knife down with the gauge so that the edge
of the knife is touching the center reference pads on the gauge. Hold the gauge down and tighten the bolts
to secure the knife in place. Repeat for the other 3 knives.
6. Re-check the height setting on all the knives and re-set as if necessary.
7. Reset the tables and replace the blade guard.
Note: After changing or resetting the knives the outfeed (left) table height must be re-adjusted to the match new
height of the knives. Follow the steps listed in the section entitled "Adjusting and setting the Out-Feed Table Height".
This is also a good opportunity to verify and if needed re-set the depth of cut indicator. Follow the steps listed in the
section entitled "Setting the Depth of Cut Indicator".
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