Planer Knife Setting Jig

I designed this jig for my 15" straight knife thickness planer. These planers are sold under several different names, but are all basically the same. You will need a dial indicator, or you will need two of these with bolts with magnets on the end to hold the knife in position (see the paragraph below if using two of these). You will also need at least 6 magnets 5/16" x 1/8" to secure the jig to the cutter head. I drilled a hole into the side of the jig and screwed in a small machine bolt to hold the dial indicator from moving (I let the bolt tap the threads). Before removing the old knives, use the jig and the indicator to measure the existing installation height (set the dial to zero and check all the knives). If the knives aren't all the same, or if you don't have old knives installed, you will have to pick a height for the knives and then go through the adjustments for the rollers, chip breakers, and bed rollers. Once you have a measurement, install the knives loosely and the