jointer issue help!

[Paul C]

Hey guys. Iam trying to adjust my jointer knives and the clamp screws which hold the knives in place are frozen. they are hex shaped and i have stripped almost every one and or the hex wrench too. Any ideas on how to loosen them?

[ken cierp]

Are you sure you are not working the wrong screws -- usually two jack screws and two jibe screws per blade. You'd never get the jack screws loose with the jibe in place -- just a thought.

[dave d]

Perhaps a squirt of WD-40, IF they are rusted in place. I had a jointer in a high humidity environment and it was a bit rusty.
Another thought - are you turning the nuts in the right direction? You loosen them by pushing the wrench towards the fence. I know that it may seem odd that this could happen but those bolts are wedged in there applying compression between the knife and the cutterhead and I'm sure I tried at one time to loosen them and was actually making them tighter.

[Herman]

In my daily work at the motorcycleworkshop I have this issue all day, every day.
Sometimes it is a battle, but I never loose.

These are some options:
-Spray penetration oil, (Sorry, wd40 does little) and leave it a night over
-Startle the bolt with a hammer, it cracks the rust
-Heat: torch, paintstripper, acetyleneburner. Does the trick most of the time
-Weld a big nut on the bolt and unscrew with the nut.
-Drill the bolt out and freshen the tread with a tap.
-Send it to me, I'll fix it
-Last: buy a new one

Herman

another tip: If the hex is worn: dip the wrench in some grainy stuff, we use valve polishing paste. It give the wrench grip again.

yet another tip: This kind of trouble is often started with a worn or cheap wrench. These rip the hex out easily. Pass the 2 dollar set at the mall!
At work I use a set for 15 years now, every day. The wrenches are not worn, they don't even show a scratch. Top notch, these Swiss PB lads:
If you can find them in the States, give them a try:
http://www.pbswisstools.com/en/quality- ... nches.html