Table Gib Adjustment; Outfeed Table Height Adjustment - Powermatic 54A Operating Instructions And Parts Manual

Table Gib Adjustment

The infeed and outfeed table gibs on your machine
are factory adjusted and initially should not require
re-adjustment. After a period of use, the gibs may
become loose, introducing play and causing the
tables to sag. This requires adjustment.
To adjust (refer to Figure 20):
1. With a 10mm wrench, loosen the jam nuts that
secure the gib set screws (A or B).
2. Have another person support the end of the
table, slightly raising it while you make
adjustments.
3. With a 3mm hex wrench, tighten each
setscrew 1/4 turn starting with the lower one,
then the upper one. If a 1/4 turn does not
remove the table play, take another 1/4 turn.
Repeat a 1/4 turn at a time for both set screws
until play is removed.
Note: If the gibs are too tight the adjustment
handles (C) will be difficult to turn.
4. When adjustment is complete, hold the set
screws in position with the 3mm hex wrench to
maintain the setting while tightening the jam
nuts with the 10mm wrench.

Outfeed Table Height Adjustment

When you receive the jointer, the knives have
been pre-set at the factory. However, the height
and parallelism of the knives with the outfeed table
should be checked and any needed adjustments
made before putting the jointer into operation.
Adjust the height of the outfeed table as follows:
1. Disconnect jointer from power source.
2. Carefully number each blade (model 54A only)
with a marker to make them easier to
differentiate.
3. Place a straightedge upon the outfeed table
and extend it over the cutterhead (Figures 21
and 23).
Planer knives and knife inserts
are dangerously sharp. Do not
grab the cutterhead itself to rotate it!
4. Rotate the cutterhead, using the drive belt or
pulley, until knife number one (or a knife insert
on the 54HH model) is at its highest point. The
apex of the knife should just barely come in
contact with the straightedge.
If the apex of the knife number one just makes
contact with the straightedge, no adjustment is
required for the outfeed table. Proceed to the
Setting Cutterhead Knives section.
16
Figure 20
Figure 21