set knives on old Geetech (Sunhill) spiral cutterhead

ruthlou55 said:

I purchased a used grizzly jointer and am trying to get the knives set correctly. The former owner had upgraded the cutting head to a Geetech spiral cutter head (also made by Sunhill). This is one with thin 6" long replaceable blades. Does anyone know how to adjust the knife positions? There are two round tools in the cutter head box but I don't know how to use them. I have an extra set of knives that I would like to install to hold off needing to replace the cutter head entirely since I probably will not be able to find more blades..

thanks for any help,
Ruth

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Ruth you might try to contact then at this site, they are still in business.

https://sunhillmachinery.blogspot.com/

Herb

Ruth you didn't get a knife setting tool with the jointer? I have one of their 8" models with straight knives that I bought from them about 20 years ago and mine came with one.

thanks for the tip. I will contact them.

There is only a thin round wire tool in the cutter head box. I have no idea how to use it to adjust the knife position. There are only screws to hold the knives in place, no adjustment screws. I have a one-way multi gauge to tell me that the knives sag in the middle and vary on each blade in the cutter head.

Just a thought, Ruth, but aside from the suggestion to contact Sunhill re the adjustment procedure, you might also ask them if they'll resharpen your existing set as well (for a fee obviously). Has to be cheaper than buying another backup set(?).

I normally just use a flat hardwood board pressed down on my outfeed table and let the knife springs push the knife up to the bottom of the board to set mine but I don't know if that would work with spiral ones. As far as knives, they are usually outsourced and not proprietary. There are a number of companies that specialize in planer and jointer blades, you just need to google it and see if they have them or contact them withj the specs of the ones you have and see what they have to say about them.

You can touch up your own blades with a jig like the one from Derek Willis in this thread. (I think it was post 12 but can't remember already). https://www.routerforums.com/tools-woodworking/27504-best-bench-top-thickness-planer-2.html

Cherryville Chuck said:

Ruth you didn't get a knife setting tool with the jointer? I have one of their 8" models with straight knives that I bought from them about 20 years ago and mine came with one.

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That's correct, they all have a knife setting tool. N