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The helical cutterhead is so effective because its carbide inserts are
arranged in spiral-shaped rows. The inserts have a 4” radius ground
into them and are mounted so they approach the wood at a 14-degree
angle. That creates a true shear cut that eliminates much of the
impact and the resulting fiber disturbance other cutterhead designs
deliver to the wood.
The helical cutterhead cuts so efficiently that it dramatically reduces
the noise made when cutting wood. In fact, it is so quiet, new
POWERMATIC 54HH 6” Jointer users often think it is not cutting
wood at all, until they see the results. The shearing effect of the
helical cutterhead produces a remarkably smooth surface on even
heavily figured wood.
The helix head (right side of the
image) uses full carbide inserts
that greatly extend durability as
well as the quality of the cut.
Sound is also drastically reduced
over nearly all other cutter
configurations.
The helical cutterhead inserts are precisely machined from solid high-grade carbide, each with
four identical cutting edges. If an edge eventually goes dull, you simply index it to the next
cutting edge! Each insert has a marking at one edge that makes indexing all or any number of
them the same way very easy, though needing to do that is unlikely.
Because the inserts themselves and the seats into which they fit are so precisely machined, there
is no adjustment or “fitting” necessary. Indexing or replacing an insert takes just seconds. Simply
loosen its retaining screw, turn the insert to its new position and tighten the screw.
The durability of the carbide combined with the low impact, shear cutting action mean the inserts
have an extremely long life, far exceeding that of straight blades. The potential life span of these
carbide inserts means that many woodworkers may go years before having to index them. Should
a hidden piece of metal be encountered and actually damage a few of the carbide inserts only the
ones actually contacting the metal need to be indexed or replaced.
Tables
The infeed table height
adjustments are truly unique. The
handle can be moved up and
down for coarse height changes
or, after snugging the locking
knob (to the left) the long handle
can be rotated to make very fine,
precise infeed table height
adjustments.
At 7 ¼”-wide and 66”-long the cast iron POWERMATIC
54A/54HH Jointer table is one of the longest available in this class
and provides plenty of support for even large work pieces. The
tables are precision-ground to insure flatness and each is mounted
on dovetailed ways that keep them perfectly aligned through height
changes. The ways are equipped with gib screw adjusters that allow
the user to adjust out any wear-related play should that occur in
years to come. The outfeed table is equipped with a ½” by ½”
rabbeting channel along its outer edge.
The outfeed table height is adjusted with a handwheel mounted
below the table. A finger-operated gib screw locks the table in
position once it is set.