Upgrade your General 180 6" jointer with the Sheartak Helical Spiral Cutterhead featuring 30 premium R150 round-edge carbide inserts.
Give your classic General 180 a new level of performance. Designed as a direct replacement for the original straight-knife cutterhead, the Sheartak helical cutterhead delivers a smoother finish, quieter operation, and significantly longer tool life while reducing maintenance and downtime.
Why Woodworkers Upgrade to a Sheartak Helical Cutterhead
Superior Surface Finish
The 30 R150 round-edge carbide inserts are arranged in a true helical pattern to produce a shear cut. The staggered cutting action greatly reduces tear-out and leaves an exceptionally smooth finish, even on figured hardwoods.
Quieter Operation
Only a few inserts engage the wood at any moment, dramatically reducing cutting noise and vibration compared with conventional straight knives.
Up to 10× Longer Cutting Life
Each premium 15 × 15 × 2.5 mm tungsten carbide insert features four precision-ground cutting edges. Simply rotate the insert to a fresh edge instead of replacing or sharpening knives.
Fast, Hassle-Free Maintenance
There is no knife setting or height adjustment. Loosen the Torx screw, rotate the insert 90°, tighten it, and you're ready to continue working.
Improved Dust Collection
The helical cutting action produces smaller chips that flow more efficiently through your dust collection system, helping keep your machine and workshop cleaner.
Lower Operating Costs
Reduced sanding, no sharpening, less downtime, and longer insert life make the Sheartak cutterhead an investment that quickly pays for itself.
Standard Kit Includes
- High-strength alloy steel helical cutterhead
- 30 R150 round-edge carbide inserts pre-installed
- Premium Japan NSK sealed bearings pre-installed
- 5 spare carbide inserts
- 5 spare Torx screws
- 1 Torx T-handle wrench
Sheartak Advantages
- Direct replacement for the General 180 6" jointer
- True helical shear-cut design
- Mirror-smooth surface finish with minimal tear-out
- Significantly quieter than straight knives
- Up to 10× longer cutting life
- Four cutting edges on every insert
- No knife setting or sharpening required
- Precision dynamically balanced
- Premium Japan bearings factory installed
Advice for Upgrading or Installing a New Cutterhead
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Check Clearances Before Powering On: Always rotate the new cutterhead by hand to ensure it moves freely and does not interfere with any part of the jointer's base or tables. This step helps identify potential issues before starting the machine.
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Inspect for Casting Imperfections: Be aware that unmachined areas of the jointer's base casting, particularly around the throat, may have casting slag or rough spots that can interfere with the cutterhead's rotation.
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Address Interference Before Operation: If you notice any resistance or contact while rotating the cutterhead, stop and carefully inspect the infeed and outfeed table areas. Do not operate the machine until adequate clearance has been confirmed.
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Correct Minor Casting Obstructions if Appropriate: Minor casting imperfections may require removal before adequate cutterhead clearance can be achieved. If you are unsure how to make this correction safely, consult a qualified machine technician.
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Check Again Before Powering On: After any adjustment, rotate the cutterhead by hand again and confirm that it moves freely with adequate clearance before operating the jointer.
Following these checks can help prevent interference and ensure proper operation after installing your new cutterhead.
Do I need to replace the original bearings?
If the bearings in your machine are in good condition, they can be reused by carefully removing them with a bearing or pulley puller. However, if the bearings are tightly pressed onto the shaft, removal may cause damage. To minimize this risk, we recommend replacing old bearings with our greased and sealed bearings, designed for long-lasting performance. For a smooth upgrade, we suggest adding the bearings to your shopping cart before completing your purchase.
We provide premium bearings from NSK, SKF, NTN, FAG, Timken. They are renowned for their high quality and performance, designed to provide durability and reliability in various applications
Do I need to to Add a Few Boxes of Carbide Inserts
We provide 5 carbide inserts and 5 screws as spare parts. However, many of our customers choose to purchase additional boxes, as the shipping costs for separate purchases can make it less economical.
Do I need a Torque Wrench?
To securely lock the carbide inserts, we recommend applying a torque of 48 to 52 Pound-Inches (or 5.42 to 5.88 Newton-Meters). (Note: 1 Newton-Meter is equal to 8.851 Pound-Inches, and 1 Pound-Inch is approximately 0.113 Newton-Meters.) It is crucial not to apply excessive torque, as this could cause the carbide inserts to crack or explode. On the other hand, using too little torque may result in the inserts not being properly secured, which could lead to cracks, shattering, or uneven height on the cutter block, causing ridges or lines on the board.
If one person is responsible for maintaining the machine, they can typically apply the same torque consistently without a torque wrench. However, when multiple people are involved in machine maintenance, ensuring uniform torque application can be challenging. For consistency and peace of mind, we recommend using a torque wrench.
What kind of steel the cutter block is made of?
The cutter block is constructed using GB/T 40Cr, a structural alloy steel of the same caliber as ASTM grade 5140, AISI 5140, SAE 5140, DIN 41Cr4, BS 41Cr4, JIS SCr440, and EN 41Cr4.The primary components of this steel are as follows: carbon (C) at a range of 0.37-0.44%, silicon (Si) between 0.17-0.37%, manganese (Mn) within 0.50-0.80%, and chromium (Cr) from 0.80-1.10%.
In terms of physical properties, this steel exhibits a tensile strength range of 115-234σb/MPa, a yield strength of 2σ 0.2 ≥/MPa, and an elongation capacity of 65 δ5≥ (%). It also has a HBS range of 123-321 and a HRC rating of 30.
This alloy steel is frequently utilized in low to moderately stressed components for machines, engines, and vehicles.
