How to Measure The Cutting Circle of A Cutterhead

Proper alignment of the cutterhead with the outfeed table is crucial for wood jointers with fixed outfeed tables or handheld power planers. Misalignment can lead to issues like sniping or prevent the board from passing smoothly over the outfeed table or rear shoes.

These tools typically feature 1, 2, 3, or 4 blades. For a 2-blade or 4-blade cutterhead, you can measure the cutting circle by determining the distance between two opposite edges, as shown in the top image.

For 1-blade or 3-blade cutterheads, the cutting circle cannot be measured directly. Instead, you can calculate it by measuring the two dimensions shown in figures (2) and (3). A regular caliper, even one that isn't industrial-grade, will work for this task. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at sales@sheartak.com.